Apple is set to build an AI pin
We have seen this before.
The Information reported earlier this week that it looks as though Apple is developing an AI-pin device. This is a very surprising move from Apple, not only because of the so far failed market of AI pins and wearables, but also because Apple has not won much on the AI front yet. However, with the latest Gemini deal, they may start to be able to go all in. This AI powered by Google's Gemini AI is set to ship to iOS in iOS 27, so this AI pin will most likely rely on that. This AI sounds like it should be extremely powerful, given Gemini's existing development and also Apple's known polish for its products.
The biggest question is why Apple would venture into this market where companies like Rabbit with the Rabbit R1 and Humane with the Humane AI Pin have already tried and failed. Marques Brownlee even called these devices the "Worst Device [he's] Ever Reviewed... For Now" and "Barely Reviewable." That "For Now" is very important, as it does signal that there could soon be a market for this that isn't failed, and maybe that is exactly what Apple will be doing.
For hardware, it is supposedly encased in aluminum and glass and it should be about the size and shape of an AirTag. It will have two cameras, a Wide lens and Ultra Wide lens, and a button to trigger AI voice commands. The current details do not say whether or not this AI pin is standalone or part of another product like smart glasses. If it is for another product and is just using the cameras and sensors to give data for the main device and trigger AI manually, it may be a very feasible product, just not necessarily the same as these other AI hardware devices.
It is also important to note that the pin currently does not have a way to attach itself built-in, though this could change later. This also signals that it could be an accessory to another device, as it may just be to trigger it in hand. All possibilities are still on the table, as it is still in early stages of development and could even still get cancelled.
It could, on the other hand, be a standalone device because of its built-in cameras and sensors. This may follow the same pattern as other AI devices and wearables, but Apple will still do it the Apple way, so it most likely would be different in some way to the other AI devices.
Other devices like AI smart glasses and others have proven somewhat useful, but still with limited utility. It is hard for AI to understand what it sees, since it is not able to comprehend clearly what it is given. This is a major shortcoming of AI as a whole, so an AI pin may not be the solution to it.
The Apple AI pin may be a revolutionary new device that changes AI for Apple, or it might not work or it may never see the light of day. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.
