Apple Exploring AI-Enabled Smartwatches With Integrated Cameras

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Apple Exploring AI-Enabled Smartwatches With Integrated Cameras

Apple is reportedly developing a new version of its Apple Watch that incorporates cameras to enhance AI-powered features such as Visual Intelligence. According to Mark Gurman’s Power On Newsletter for Bloomberg, the company aims to introduce these advancements within the next two years.

The design approach varies between models, with standard Apple Watch Series devices expected to house cameras "inside the display," while the Apple Watch Ultra will likely feature them along the side, near the digital crown and button. Gurman suggests that these embedded cameras will enable the watch to "see the outside world and use AI to deliver relevant information," similar to Apple’s rumored plans for future AirPods equipped with cameras.

Although the arrival of these AI-integrated smartwatches is still a few generations away, Gurman notes that Apple has outlined their development on its official "roadmap." The plan includes camera integration for both the standard Series and Ultra versions of the Apple Watch.

Each model would implement cameras differently. In the Series version, the camera will likely be embedded in the display, akin to the front-facing lens on an iPhone. Conversely, the Ultra variant would position the camera lens along the watch’s side, adjacent to the crown and button. This placement could allow Ultra users to point their wrists at objects for scanning, whereas Series users may need to flip their wrists for similar functionality. However, Gurman indicates that FaceTime support is unlikely due to the small screen size, which would make video conferencing impractical.

Meanwhile, Apple continues facing challenges in keeping pace with AI innovations led by competitors like Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Gemini for Android, and Samsung’s Galaxy AI. PYMNTS recently reported on these struggles, noting that Apple’s anticipated Siri enhancements—initially promised for 2025—have been postponed to this year.

Robby Walker, who leads Apple’s Siri division, reportedly acknowledged that past delays and shortcomings have been "ugly," especially after Apple aggressively marketed Siri’s capabilities. According to Bloomberg, Apple even took the rare step of replacing its AI head, John Giannandrea—formerly of Google—with Mike Rockwell, the creator of Vision Pro, to lead Siri operations.

Luc Julia, one of Siri’s original designers, believes Apple’s meticulous approach to perfection is slowing its progress. "They are falling behind because of this fear of not being perfect," Julia remarked in an interview with PYMNTS. He pointed out that Siri originated outside Apple, developed by SRI International before being acquired in 2010, thanks to a key advocate within the company. "Only one guy wanted it," Julia recalled. "It was Steve Jobs."

Visual Intelligence, the AI-driven feature set expected to power these smartwatches, debuted with the iPhone 16. It allows devices to interact with their surroundings, performing tasks like extracting event details from a flyer and adding them to the user’s calendar or gathering restaurant information from an image. While Apple currently relies on third-party AI models, Gurman predicts the company aims to replace them with its own models by 2027, aligning with the projected launch of AI-enhanced Apple Watches and AirPods.

These upcoming wearables will likely depend heavily on the leadership of Mike Rockwell, who has recently been assigned the task of advancing Apple’s delayed Siri LLM upgrade. Rockwell, previously responsible for the Vision Pro, is also expected to continue leading the development of visionOS. This operating system is anticipated to power another AI-driven wearable Apple is reportedly working on: augmented reality glasses. Though still years from release, these AR glasses are believed to be inspired by Meta’s Orion concept unveiled last year.