Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) has been exposed: the "AI three-piece suit" is coming.

Renowned Apple Inc. whistleblower Mark Gurman wrote that Apple Inc. is accelerating the development of three new wearable devices as part of its transition to AI-driven hardware - a new race track that has also attracted active layouts from companies such as OpenAI and Meta. Gurman cited sources as saying that Apple Inc. is advancing three types of products: smart glasses, pendant devices that can be clipped to clothing or worn as necklaces, and AirPods with stronger AI capabilities. All three devices will be built around the Siri digital assistant and will rely on "visual contextual awareness" to perform operations. Gurman added that these products will all be connected to the iPhone and will be equipped with camera systems with different capabilities. Among them, the design concept of AirPods and pendants is simpler products equipped with low-resolution cameras mainly used for assisting AI, rather than taking photos or videos; while the glasses are positioned as high-end with more functions. At an all-hands meeting earlier this month, Cook hinted that the company would make a big push into the AI device field, stating that Apple Inc. is developing a new "product category" empowered by artificial intelligence, "We are very excited about this." He also stated that the company is increasing investment in new technologies, "The world is changing rapidly." Although iPhone sales continue to be strong, Apple Inc. is still playing catch-up in the field of AI. Upgrading Siri has faced technical challenges and has been repeatedly delayed. In the long run, AI is expected to change how consumers use their phones, with more features shifting to peripheral devices. Currently, Meta's smart glasses have achieved some success, and OpenAI is also developing multiple wearable devices. Apple Inc.'s previous attempt in a new category - the high-priced head-mounted display Apple Vision Pro - did not receive widespread market acceptance. Therefore, the company hopes to continue locking users into the Apple Inc. ecosystem by accelerating the layout of wearable devices. Smart Glasses Gurman wrote that smart glasses will become the high-end model in Apple Inc.'s AI hardware product line, directly competing with Meta's camera-equipped glasses, featuring high-resolution cameras that can take photos and videos. In recent months, progress on this product, codenamed "N50," has been significant, with Apple Inc. distributing more prototype tests internally in the hardware engineering department, aiming to start production as early as December of this year, with plans to officially release to the public in 2027. Like some of Meta's existing products, Apple Inc.'s glasses will not have a display screen, but will interact through speakers, microphones, and cameras, supporting making calls, using Siri, performing operations based on the environment, playing music, and taking pictures. Employees revealed that Apple Inc. even considered launching the product through cooperation, aligning with industry trends at the time. However, recently, Apple Inc. decided to independently develop frames in various sizes and colors, hoping to achieve differentiation in craftsmanship and camera technology. According to Gurman, early prototype machines of Apple Inc. connected to external batteries and iPhones via cables, but the new version has integrated components within the frame and uses high-end materials like acrylic to enhance texture. The device will be equipped with two cameras, one for high-resolution imaging and another for computer vision - a technology similar to Vision Pro, to more accurately identify the environment and measure distances. Apple Inc.'s goal is to make the glasses an all-day AI assistant, understanding in real-time what the user sees and does. For example, identifying objects, checking food ingredients, reading poster text, automatically adding to the calendar, generating reminders based on the scene, and even guiding through real-world landmarks during navigation. Gurman stated that Apple Inc. is also exploring more advanced application scenarios, such as reading printed text and converting it into data - for example, directly adding information from event posters to the calendar. The device can also create context-aware reminders, such as prompting users to pick up a specific item while shopping in the supermarket. For easy navigation, Siri can reference real-world landmarks rather than just providing general instructions. Pendant and AirPods Recognizing that not everyone is willing to wear glasses, Apple Inc. has also developed pendants and AirPods with cameras. The pendant concept was proposed by Apple Inc.'s industrial design team, similar to the previously failed Humane AI Pin, but positioned as an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone device. It serves as the "eyes and ears" of the phone, with employees referring to it as the "eyes and ears" of the phone. Unlike Humane's device, Apple Inc.'s pendant does not have a projector or display screen, relying mainly on the processing power of the iPhone, with performance closer to AirPods. Wearing options include clipping to clothing or hanging as a necklace, similar in size to AirTags. The project is still in its early stages and may be canceled; if it proceeds, it may be launched as early as next year. As for AirPods, Apple Inc. began exploring camera earphones solutions as early as 2024 and continuously added AI functions, such as last year's real-time translation mode, which may be released as early as this year. Long-term Planning In the future, Apple Inc. also plans to launch smart glasses with augmented reality display capabilities, achieving richer data overlay, but it will take several years before they are ready for the market. In addition to wearable devices, Apple Inc. is also laying out home AI hardware, including smart displays based on the new version of Siri, large-screen versions with mechanical arms, upgraded HomePod speakers, and small indoor sensors for home security and automation. This article was reprinted from "Cailian Press" by Zhao Hao; GMTEight editor: Huang Xiaodong.