Apple Watch Camera and AI Integration - A New Direction
Despite the struggles of wearable AI and lukewarm reception to Apple's existing AI tools, Apple is reportedly aiming to integrate AI into the Apple Watch by adding cameras. According to Bloomberg, Apple is developing a new Apple Watch model equipped with cameras to boost its "visual intelligence" features, currently exclusive to the latest iPhones.
Camera Integration and Models
Bloomberg suggests Apple plans to incorporate lenses into both the Series and Ultra models. The Series model might feature a camera within its display, while the Ultra model could house it on the side. This camera would enable the watch to utilize Apple's visual intelligence tools, allowing it to identify objects or translate text in images.
Potential for AI Functionality
Real-time translation has always been a promising application for AI, and the Apple Watch, with its established utility beyond just being an AI gadget, offers a viable platform for introducing AI features. This approach could also provide Apple with more data for AI system training. Meta's smartglasses partnership with Ray-Ban has shown some success, indicating a potential market for AI wearables with practical uses.
Challenges with AI Implementation
Apple has faced difficulties in implementing AI features. The rollout of a smarter Siri was delayed due to performance issues, and user feedback on existing Apple Intelligence features has been negative, with a survey indicating that 73% of iPhone users find them "add little to no value."
Expanding the Apple Watch's functionality has also been challenging. The highly anticipated blood-pressure tracking feature remains elusive, and plans to introduce a more affordable plastic Apple Watch SE model may be scrapped.
Whether adding a camera to the Apple Watch will solve these issues or simply complicate the device, remains to be seen.
Source: Gizmodo