Apple is developing a wearable “AI pin” that can listen in on conversations and respond to spoken commands, as the iPhone maker tries to regain momentum in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race.
The disc-shaped device, which would be equipped with speakers, microphones and cameras, is in early stages of development but could hit the market later this decade. The wearable will reportedly be designed to be attached to clothing or worn as an accessory, allowing users to interact with the AI without having to take out their phone.
The project was first reported by The Information, which said Apple is exploring a standalone product or a companion device for future smart glasses. Internal estimates suggest Apple could produce up to 20 million units when the product eventually hits the market, although that’s not expected before 2027.
The prototype device is said to have three microphones, indicating a strong focus on accurately capturing voice commands, as well as a physical button. Some AI wearables are activated manually, while others continually monitor conversations in the environment – a distinction that could prove tricky for a company that has long positioned privacy as a core brand value.
Any device that constantly listens would pose a challenge for Apple, whose CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly emphasized user privacy as a competitive advantage. Apple’s existing products, including the iPhone and Apple Watch, already use microphones that activate when users say “Hey Siri,” but a dedicated wearable hearing aid could attract far greater attention.
The move would also be an attempt to revive Apple’s flagging AI ambitions. The company has repeatedly delayed a major upgrade to Siri, which is intended to compete with conversational chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. According to Bloomberg, Apple recently struck a deal with Google to integrate Gemini with Siri and is expected to revamp the voice assistant later this year so that it can handle smoother chatbot-style conversations.
Apple isn’t alone in exploring AI-first hardware. More and more technology companies are looking for a post-smartphone interface based on artificial intelligence. Meta has integrated AI into its smart glasses, while Amazon has acquired Bee, a start-up behind a listening bracelet designed to record and summarize conversations.
Elsewhere, Sir Jony Ive has joined OpenAI to develop a new generation of AI-powered devices that could be unveiled as early as this year, putting additional pressure on Apple to respond.
Not all experiments in this category were successful. Last year, Humane, a company founded by former Apple employees, stopped producing its own AI Pin after weak sales and intense criticism. The $700 (£521) device was widely criticized for its poor performance and the start-up company behind it was later sold.
Apple declined to comment on its plans. But the reported work underscores how intensely Big Tech is competing to define the next big consumer device — and how artificial intelligence, rather than touchscreens, could be at the heart of that future.
