Apple has been making moves for months to become a leader in devices with integrated artificial intelligenceAnd the next step is aimed directly at our face: smart glasses connected to the iPhone They will use cameras, sensors, and audio to understand the environment in real time. The company wants to go beyond the mobile phone without replacing it, relying on a new, much more capable generation of Siri.
Although the investment in Apple Intelligence is progressing at a slower pace than many expected, in Cupertino they are working with a very clear horizon: to put smart glasses with AI on the market Around 2027, accompanied by other accessories that expand the ecosystem. The goal is for the iPhone to act as the central brain while different devices—glasses, a pendant, and AirPods—provide the eyes, ears, and context.
Smart glasses designed for everyday use
Several reports agree that the flagship product of this strategy will be a Apple smart glasses without screen on the glassThese are far removed from the mixed reality headset concept represented by the Vision Pro. The aim here is not to flood the field of vision with virtual elements, but to offer a discreet experience based on audio, cameras, and sensors that rely on the iPhone.
The glasses are designed as a device to wear throughout the dayThey look more like conventional sunglasses or eyeglasses than a bulky tech headset. They can be used to make calls, play music, summon Siri and perform actions guided by what the user is seeing, all without needing to take the phone out of the pocket every few minutes.
Instead of turning to a partner in the optical industry, Apple has decided internally design the frames in different sizes and colorswith high-quality materials and a finish that aims to seriously compete with traditional eyewear brands. The first prototypes were based on commercial frames to which cameras and electronics were added, but that stage has already been left behind in favor of a more refined, original design.
According to leaks, the current models already They integrate the battery and components into the mount itself.This improved performance, surpassing initial tests where the glasses relied on a cable connected to an external battery pack and the iPhone. This integration is crucial for the device to be comfortable for everyday wear, especially in markets like Europe, where aesthetics often outweigh functionality.
Two cameras and a lot of AI: how the glasses will work
The key to these glasses will be in their dual camera system combined with computer visionThe leaked prototypes include a high-resolution lens, designed for capture high-quality photos and videos, and a second camera dedicated to environmental analysis: measuring distances, identifying objects, reading text and feeding AI models with constant visual information.
The idea is that Siri will be able to to understand what the user is looking at at any given momentThis opens the door to everyday situations such as asking for the ingredients of a dish in a restaurant, asking to identify a historic building while walking through a European city, or requesting the reading of a sign to automatically convert that information into a calendar event.
Another function being considered is the use of the glasses as contextual navigation assistantInstead of relying on generic directions, the system could use visual landmarks—a specific building, vehicle, or monument—to provide more natural instructions, which is especially useful when navigating complex urban centers like Madrid, Barcelona, or Paris.
The Visual Intelligence technology that Apple already uses in some iPhones would serve as the basis for this behavior, but adapted to a device designed to always be monitoring its surroundingsThe experience would not be limited to recognizing food or text; it could also create contextual reminders, such as alerting the user to pick up a product when they look at the correct shelf in the supermarket.
In that scenario, the glasses would function as a kind of AI companion associated with the iPhoneThe system interprets the scene in real time and responds to questions naturally. Interaction would be primarily voice-based, although the system could also use subtle gestures or head position to understand the user's intention.
Relationship with Apple Intelligence and future launch
This entire approach depends directly on the evolution of Apple Intelligence and the new version of Siri which the company is developing. Apple's intention is for the assistant to move beyond a simple voice command system and become a contextual chatbot, capable of understanding complex requests and using the visual environment to guide its actions.
Several reports indicate that Apple is relying on models developed in conjunction with Google, based on Geminito handle more advanced language tasks, while continuing to train its own models. This combination would allow Siri to better interpret open-ended questions, offer more complete explanations, and, above all, link what it sees with what the user requests.
Regarding the schedule, the most frequent predictions speak of Production begins in December A public launch is planned for 2027, although some sources suggest a possible delay to 2028 if development encounters difficulties. In any case, it's a long-term project, with the company testing different mounting styles and exploring future versions with integrated screens that would arrive later.
Apple faces a double challenge here: to arrive on time to the smart glasses marketWhere Meta has already gained visibility With its collaborations with Ray-Ban, but without rushing into an uncomfortable or immature product. The experience with the Vision Pro, with its high price and very specific niche, seems to have served as a lesson for a more cautious approach.
In Europe, where regulations on privacy and data processing are particularly strict, the company will also have to Make it very clear when the cameras are active, what information is stored, and how it is managed.Both the European Union and national data protection agencies will closely scrutinize any wearable device that includes cameras constantly monitoring its surroundings.
An ecosystem around glasses: an AI-powered pendant and AirPods with a camera.
Although the focus is on the glasses, the leaked plans mention a trio of devices that share the same philosophyLeveraging AI through cameras and microphones that provide context, always connected to the iPhone. Along with the glasses would come an AI pendant and AirPods with cameras or infrared sensors.
The pendant —often described as a pin approximately the size of an AirTag— It could be attached to clothing or worn around the neck. It would incorporate a camera and microphone that are always available, designed to capture the surroundings and allow users to talk to Siri without having to take out their phone. Internally, some employees describe it as the “eyes and ears” of the iPhone.
This accessory is not intended to replace the phone, but complement it as a lightweight, AI-focused extensionHeavy processing would still utilize the iPhone, while the pendant would provide visual and audio input. Whether it will include a speaker or rely exclusively on headphones is still under debate, and its launch is more uncertain than that of the glasses, although timeframes ranging from 2026 to 2027 are being considered.
Meanwhile, Apple is also preparing AirPods with low-resolution cameras or infrared sensorsIts purpose wouldn't be to record video in the conventional way, but rather to interpret the environment: detecting gestures, recognizing the scene to adjust the audio, or adding another source of information to Siri's AI. The images wouldn't be saved as photos, but would be analyzed on the fly to make decisions.
Together, these three devices create an ecosystem in which Artificial intelligence is distributed among glasses, pendants, and headphones.all of them linked to the iPhone. The user could interact with Siri from different parts of the body—face, chest, ears—and the AI would have multiple digital eyes and ears to better understand what is happening around it.
If the timelines and projects remain the same, the coming years could bring a wave of AI-powered wearables focused on visual contextWith Apple's smart glasses as the centerpiece, the company is seeking a new avenue for growth beyond the iPhone. This would involve leveraging its ecosystem, a significantly revamped Siri, and a design that doesn't resemble a prototype, but rather something that can be used naturally in everyday life in Spain and the rest of Europe. The combination of privacy, comfort, and real-world utility will determine whether these glasses remain a novelty or become as commonplace as wireless headphones.
