Overview
- MacRumors’ files in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate, published in coverage on Tuesday, August 18, show a demo video and system strings referencing a camera‑equipped AirPods model with internal codename B790.
- The demo video depicts a user holding a book near an earbud while on‑ear cameras stream images to a 'Visual Intelligence' flow so Siri can identify the book and offer to save what the wearer sees.
- Reporting cites people familiar with the project who say the earbuds would use low‑resolution sensors to provide context to Siri rather than to take high‑quality photos or continuous video.
- Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has linked B790 to Apple testing and said production and software hurdles have pushed a possible release into 2027, though Apple has not confirmed any timing or names.
- The same macOS build exposes many unreleased device codenames, and the camera AirPods have raised privacy worries online while analysts note the change could move AirPods toward always‑on environmental sensing and stricter scrutiny.