Apple’s next wearable could be an AI pin

The Information reports that Apple is working on an “AI wearable pin” that could be available sometime next year. Apple’s device is seen as a competitor to OpenAI’s wearable that is being designed by Jony Ive and slated to ship this year.

Apple would like the device to be similar in size to an AirTag, but thicker. The device currently in development reportedly has an aluminum-and-glass shell, two cameras (wide and ultra-wide) for photos and video recording, three microphones, a speaker, a button along the edge, and a magnetic charger on the back. The Information did not report on how the device fits into Apple’s ecosystem or its role in the wearable lineup with AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro (and the rumored smartglasses).

While an AI pin sounds like a novel idea, it’s not an original one. Three years ago, the Humane AI pin debuted. Created by a pair of former Apple employees. The pin received a lot of hype, but the device never caught on, and the Humane company crashed two years later. Apple, however, has a reputation for being able to execute ideas and designs better than what others initially propose. The company also has an ecosystem that could support an AI pin.

The Information points out that the pin is in early development, and it’s possible that Apple could cancel the project. However, the company has made it a priority to create a presence in the AI space–a space where it currently has no presence. This, along with the evolution of Siri into a chatbot, could be big for Apple.