• Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered wearable, signaling growing competition in consumer AI hardware beyond smartphones and laptops.
• The move comes as OpenAI and other players prepare their own AI-first devices, intensifying pressure on Big Tech.
• Past failures in AI wearables raise questions about consumer demand, privacy concerns, and long-term market viability.

Apple

Apple may be preparing its next major hardware bet: an AI-powered wearable. According to a report by The Information, the company is developing a small pin-style device designed to be worn on clothing. The wearable would rely heavily on artificial intelligence and could include multiple cameras and microphones.

If launched, the device would mark Apple’s entry into the emerging AI hardware category. This space is quickly gaining attention as companies explore alternatives to smartphones for AI-driven interactions. The report suggests Apple sees wearables as a potential new interface for AI assistants.

The rumored device is described as a thin, circular pin with an aluminum and glass design. Engineers are reportedly aiming for a size close to an AirTag, with added thickness. It would include two cameras, one standard and one wide-angle, alongside three microphones. Additionally, a speaker and a physical button are also expected.

AI Wearable

Apple is said to be accelerating development to stay competitive. The wearable could launch as early as 2027, with production targets reaching tens of millions of units. These ambitions suggest Apple views AI hardware as a long-term growth opportunity rather than a niche experiment.

The timing matters. OpenAI has publicly signaled plans to launch its first AI hardware product later this year. Separate reports suggest OpenAI’s device could take the form of AI-enabled earbuds. Together, these developments point to rising competition beyond software-based AI tools.

However, the market remains unproven. Humane AI, a startup founded by former Apple employees, previously launched an AI pin with similar capabilities. Despite early hype, the product struggled with usability and consumer adoption. Humane shut down within two years and sold its assets to HP.

That failure still looms large over the category. AI wearables raise unresolved concerns around privacy, battery life, and real-world usefulness. Consumers have yet to show strong demand for always-on cameras and microphones.

For Apple, the challenge will be differentiation. The company’s strength lies in hardware design, ecosystem integration, and consumer trust. If it proceeds, Apple is likely to position the device as a privacy-first extension of its broader AI strategy.

For now, Apple’s reported AI pin highlights one thing clearly. The next phase of the AI race is moving beyond apps and into hardware. Whether consumers follow remains an open question.