Visual Intelligence on your wrist? Apple explores Apple Watch camera integration

The Apple Watch may get a camera for visual intelligence in 2027.

Image: Apple

Could visual intelligence soon be a tap away on your wrist? Apple is reportedly exploring camera integration for its Apple Watches, a move that could redefine how we interact with our smartwatches. While Apple's efforts with a more modernized Siri are still in progress, potentially not seeing fruition until 2027, new reports indicate the tech giant is actively pursuing camera technology to bolster its AI capabilities on its wearable devices.

The iPhone 16's introduction of Apple Intelligence showcased Apple's AI strategy, aiming to impress with its iOS advancements. Despite facing challenges in establishing AI dominance, trusted industry insiders suggest that the newly unveiled Visual Intelligence feature is poised to extend to the Apple Watch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that cameras on the Apple Watch are likely to be the key to enabling this functionality, with potential integration in the 2027 models.

Apple Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16e . Image: Apple

Initially launched with iOS 18.2 on the iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence empowers users to engage with their surroundings through AI—echoing features like Google Lens and Samsung's Circle to Search. Gurman's reports further detail that both the standard Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Ultra are expected to receive cameras, with the base model possibly featuring an in-display camera and the Ultra model incorporating a sensor beneath the power button.

It's crucial to remember that these details remain within the realm of rumors, and the final product may vary. The success of these features hinges on user adoption, which is difficult to predict at this stage. While initial reactions to Visual Intelligence have been mixed, the ultimate verdict will depend on Apple's execution and delivery.

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