A new report claims that Apple is working on an AirTag-sized variable, which could launch as early as April 2027, marking the company’s entry into the competitive field of small, camera-equipped AI wearables.
According to the report, the Apple AI variable will include multiple cameras, a speaker, and a microphone. However, development is still in the early stages, and the project could still be canceled.
From the report:
Apple’s Pin, a thin, flat, circular disk with an aluminum and glass shell, features two cameras, a standard lens, and a wide-angle lens on its front face, designed to capture photos and videos of the user’s surroundings. People said it also includes three microphones to capture sounds around the wearer. It has a speaker, a physical button along one side, and a magnetic inductive charging interface on its back, similar to the one on the Apple Watch. People said Apple engineers are planning to make the Pin the same size as an Apple Air Tag, but slightly thicker.
The Information also notes that Apple has accelerated development in response to competition from OpenAI’s expected 2026 variable. Whether Apple’s device will integrate with other products, such as AirPods or the anticipated smart glasses, or even be released, remains unclear.
The report highlights the tough market for wearables, mentioning the recent struggles of Humane’s AI PIN.
An Apple Pin would sell well. Uncertain Human, a startup founded by two former Apple employees, struggled to gain traction in 2024 with its own variable AI pin, which reportedly sold fewer than 10,000 units. Parts of Human were eventually sold to HP for $116 million. Human’s Pin, which could perfect an interface onto a user’s palm using a small projector, received criticism for its slow response time and poor battery life.
The report coincides with Apple’s renewed push in AI following missed WWDC 2024 goals, the departure of AI chief John Gianandrea and a new partnership with Google on Gemini for Siri and Apple Intelligence.
Additionally, a recent Bloomberg report indicates that Apple is developing a chatbot interface to replace Siri in iOS 27.
Apple plans for the final pin to match the size of an AirTag but be slightly thicker. Although there is no built-in attachment method yet, one may be introduced during development.
According to the information, it is unclear if Apple will sell this pin separately or bundle it with future smart glasses or devices. The presence of a physical pin, cameras, speakers, and microphones suggests it can work independently.
