Apple iOS 27 Code Signals AirPods Ultra With Built-In Cameras On The Way
The next AirPods, with cameras on board, could be coming soon, according to analysis of the latest iOS 27 iPhone developer beta. Or could it herald Apple’s first smart glasses? Here’s what has been revealed.
The great thing about beta software is users can try it out early to help iron out bugs. The downside is that coding sleuths can find out stuff that the software maker isn’t keen on them knowing.
That seems to have happened now, with a post on X from app developer Sam Henri Gold claiming that they have spotted references in iOS 27 that talk about an all-new product. And more may be uncovered in the coming weeks as iOS 27 reaches public beta — more on that here.
Sadly, it doesn’t actually specify the release name such as AirPods Ultra — a name that has been bandied about to refer to a version of Apple earbuds with cameras on board — but it does specify some other details.
The product code is named as B790 and, since AirPods Pro 3 were called B788, it strongly suggests that the next product will be AirPods as well. Additionally, a separate report has claimed Apple’s smart glasses have the code number N50. Catchy, huh? Other reports have claimed to reveal style details for the smart specs.
Cameras on a user’s head, and what they mean.
There’s more. The code includes words such as “two images from cameras on either side of user’s head,” which could theoretically refer to smart glasses or camera-toting earbuds.
Note that smart glasses like Ray-Ban Meta only have one camera but there are reports that Apple’s version may have two. Even so, rumors suggest that such glasses may not appear until late next year, so software support is more likely for iOS 28.
The rumored AirPods will have cameras not for taking photos or video but purely for computer vision capabilities, for instance so you can say, “Siri, should I water this houseplant before my significant other gets home or has leaving it in direct sunshine done for it and I’m about to get into big trouble?”
I’m neither confirming nor denying that I could have done with such a capability in my personal life, you understand.
Here’s what’s thought to be coming and when.
While it’s not thought such AirPods will go on sale imminently, the product is reported to be further along in development than smart glasses.
“The code appears to instruct Visual Intelligence on how to function on the mystery device. It says the feature works with landmarks, text, and known objects, with the Eiffel Tower in Paris and a coffee mug cited as two examples,” Joe Rossignol at MacRumors said.