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Apple Code Reveals AirPods With Built‑In Camera

Files and a short demo in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate show the camera would stream real‑time imagery to a Visual Intelligence feature that lets Siri identify objects and save what users see.

Overview

  • macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC includes a demo video and system prompts that demonstrate a prototype AirPods model with an integrated camera feeding a Visual Intelligence system.
  • The device appears in system files under the internal codename B790 and the software warns users if hair blocks the camera to preserve accurate object recognition.
  • Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman previously linked the B790 codename to the same project and suggested a possible September unveiling and a premium name, but Apple has not confirmed any product name, price, or launch date.
  • The files describe the camera sending live environmental imagery to Siri so users can ask about and save things they see, which would shift AirPods from pure audio accessories toward always‑available sensing devices.
  • The Tahoe RC also exposed many other unreleased Apple device codenames, and the next steps to watch are official Apple confirmation, full hardware specs, and how privacy and regulatory questions will be addressed.