Mark Gurman says Apple plans to launch camera-equipped AirPods for AI features in late 2027

The most hated idea. Wearable cameras.

Why do our earphones need cameras?

Even at tech nerd conferences I get asked to take off my cameras. Happened yesterday when I was using my @Looki_ai wearable pendant. Now keep in mind this was at a conference where they are discussing VR and AR all week. Most don't mind, but one gentleman asked me to not record him.

Luckily with this device, and with earphones, you can easily comply. With the Looki device as soon as it is blocked, it turns off and stops recording.

It takes infrequent photos, or lets me click a button to record either audio or video. Then makes me a fun little journal of my day, turning my life into a cartoon (yesterday's is included here).

It's pretty rude to wear headphones while you are supposed to be talking with people. So most of the time when I'm interacting with people they probably would stay in the case in my pocket.

So why go down this path then?

For many reasons. Here's some I've discovered (Microsoft did a ton of research on these about 20 years ago with a team in San Francisco).

1. They can help you. Let's say you are trying to fix a machine. An old car. A washing machine. Or, even build a new electronics device. The AI inside could be seeing what you are doing and help you. Even while cooking a meal. "Hey put a little more butter in the rice if you want it to really come out well."

2. They can capture moments in your life much easier than trying to record on a phone. "Hey the baby is starting to walk." Then you could stay in the moment and enjoy the moment. I forgot that I was even wearing the camera most of the time.

3. They can see where you are and improve your experience. "I see you are in Times Square, did you know there's a great place to get Cheesecake around the corner?" Museums, traveling, and more are much nicer with AI and cameras.

4. They can remember things. "Hey, you didn't put your passport in your bag, it's still sitting on the front counter." Making sure you don't miss them. I can see a day where I'll ask my Looki "where did I leave my keys?"

5. They can help you network with people. Many yesterday were wearing a name badge. It could tell you later "hey, saw you were hanging out with @philiprosedale, who started Second Life, why don't you drop him a note and ask for an interview for your show."

6. They can remind you of things. "It's cold in San Francisco, I didn't see you bring your jacket."

And I'm sure I haven't discovered a whole bunch of things wearable computers with AI could do.

What would you do if your headphones have a camera and a powerful AI inside?

Or are you just freaked out about the idea?

I'm headed back to an AR/VR dinner tonight at Edge Esmeralda.

Which really is an amazing event. About 400 people come from around the world to hang out for a month (some only a week) to hear interesting talks on technology and life, and get together to work on projects or companies.

It's my favorite event I've ever been to, and I've spoken in 80 countries at many different events. One of the attendees said "it's Thinking Man." Like Burning Man but for people who want to improve their brains.

They hold them all over the world. Someday I'm gonna take my family on vacation to one and just hang out for a month. My idea of a great vacation is to hang out with smart people talking about the future.

What, you thought I'd like sitting on a beach in Hawaii? I've done that, this is far more fun.