The leaked news about the camera-equipped AirPods Pro 3 turned out to be a mix-up! The supply chain issues remain unresolved, and Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) is still targeting a 2027 release for its new AI headphones.

Despite a leak from Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) suggesting that AirPods equipped with cameras might debut sooner, the product's planned launch in 2027 remains unchanged. According to reports from early May, this new headset, aimed at propelling the iPhone manufacturer into the AI wearable device realm, has long been slated for release this year and entered advanced testing among Apple Inc. employees this past spring. However, reports in mid-June indicated that when the company sought to start production of the headset during the summer, obstacles in the supply chain and software led Apple Inc. to postpone the product until 2027. Earlier this week, a developer version of a Mac software update unexpectedly included mentions of several upcoming Apple Inc. products, including a video of the camera-equipped AirPods in action. The video, originally published by MacRumors, corroborated previous reports indicating that the AirPods would rely on "Visual Intelligence," a feature by Apple Inc. that uses the camera to analyze objects in the real world and respond accordingly. As the September iPhone launch event approaches, the leaked information appearing in upcoming software has sparked speculation about the imminent launch of these new AirPods. However, according to sources who requested anonymity due to discussions about undisclosed products, related product challenges are still being addressed, and the camera-equipped AirPods have not yet entered the company's release schedule for 2026. Apple Inc. still maintains that the headset will launch in 2027. The camera-equipped AirPods have also raised privacy concerns on social media. Some users are uneasy about Apple Inc. offering a product that could potentially record video or take photos without people's knowledge. Some have even begun to label the device as "pervertpods." Nevertheless, sources noted that the camera on the device will be a low-resolution sensor. It is not designed for photography or video recording; rather, it is intended to scan the surrounding environment and provide contextual information for the Siri digital assistant and other AI tools. Apple Inc. has long prioritized privacy as a key aspect of its marketing strategy and aims to avoid facing the kind of complaints that Meta encountered with its controversial smart glasses. Throughout the development of the new AirPods, Apple Inc. has been working on two versions: one codenamed B790 and the other referred to as B798. The B790 version had recently been included in the 2026 roadmap; it is a modified version of the AirPods Pro 3 released last year, incorporating additional sensors and AI features. According to insiders, that is the version featured in the video. The B798 version represents a new generation of AirPods Pro that includes the camera. If this new AirPods is finally launched next year, it will join the wave of new products from Apple Inc. in 2027, which includes the companys first smart glasses. As part of its AI wearable strategy, Apple Inc. is also developing a camera-equipped pendant that can be worn around the neck or on a shirt. Even without the camera-equipped AirPods, incoming CEO John Ternus is set to launch several major new product categories during his first holiday season, including the companys first foldable iPhone and a smart home display for the newly upgraded AI Siri. Additionally, Apple Inc. has been working on its first touchscreen MacBook, a smart home security camera, a smart display version with a robotic arm, a brand-new set-top box, and an updated HomePod mini. It also plans to roll out multiple new Macs and iPads equipped with faster processors. The launch of these products is expected to span from this fall through the end of next year.