Apple's camera-equipped AirPods and smart home hub leak in macOS update

TVENGI+5

8 sources · 7 quotes

Strong corroboration · 8 of 8

Started 24D · Updated 16D

Apple appears to have accidentally leaked details of several upcoming products, including camera-equipped AirPods and a new smart home hub, through a test version of macOS Tahoe 26.7. The most significant revelation is a demo video showing a man using the AirPods to ask Siri to remember a book, with the voiceover: "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes savable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later." The AirPods, codenamed B790, are expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in September, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

How it works

The AirPods' cameras are designed to feed visual data to Apple's Visual Intelligence software, enabling Siri to answer questions about the wearer's surroundings. The cameras capture low-resolution images—up to 1 megapixel—and are not intended for taking photos or videos. The earbuds will have active and passive modes, with active mode producing higher-quality images. A "Hair Detected" error will warn users if hair covers the camera.

Smart home hub

Separately, the macOS beta code references a new "HomeAccessory"—a HomePod with a display, often called the "HomePad." The device is expected to run a tvOS-based interface with customizable "Faces" and widgets, and can detect when the user's iPhone is nearby to show personal information. A wall-mountable version is also referenced. ZDNET reports that the leak includes a new HomePod mini and an Apple security camera, with the hub possibly launching in October or early 2027 at around $350.

Privacy concerns

Some commentators worry about privacy, with TechRadar's Tom Bedford predicting "pervert earbuds" backlash. However, Apple's design—low-resolution cameras and no video recording—may mitigate these concerns. The AirPods are seen as a step toward a screen-free future, leveraging Apple's massive AirPods user base.

This storyTap to open