'These things aren't meant to take pictures.' As a fresh clip of camera-equipped AirPods leaks, people appear to have already made their minds up whatever the experts say

Date:
Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:52:39 +0000

Description:
A leaked video, claimed to be from a late build of MacOS, shows how camera-toting AirPods would work, and it won't assuage your privacy fears.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter We've heard countless rumors about camera-toting AirPods Now, a leaked video reportedly from MacOS build shows how they'd work Public opinion on this kind of tech is poor, and
getting worse We've been hearing countless rumors that Apple is working on AirPods with cameras last news was that they could come in 2027 and now we have an idea as to how they could work.

Website MacRumors has uncovered a video found in pre-release code for MacOS Tahoe 26.7, an upcoming update to Macs' operating system . The video shows an AirPods-wearing man pick up a book and look at it, while a female voice says: "With visual intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later." Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu August 18, 2026 Finally , we have a way to
remember things! How has humanity got to this point without that...

Visual Intelligence is an Apple feature, which uses an iPhone camera to see what's going on around you. And apparently, it's coming to AirPods, when they get cameras. You may like A fresh report points to new AirPods in 2026, but not Apple's camera-enhanced buds These bone conduction headphones have a tiny 4K camera for recordings The smart glasses backlash hits new heights as
celebs and activists unite

This video doesn't look like leaked marketing material for the new AirPods; the production value doesn't match other Apple material. It looks like it was shot on an iPhone, with exposure that's all over the place. But it could be a placeholder, or perhaps an internal video.

It's also unlikely that the AirPods used in the video are the new camera-toting ones; again, these are probably just placeholder buds. Instead, this news shows us what Apple thinks these new buds will do: act as
extensions of AI tools like Visual Intelligence. And that might be their downfall. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. A bad time for all-seeing tech (Image credit: Future) Some journalists have written that always-watching smart tech, especially smart glasses, are facing a reckoning. That's no longer quite true: they've faced said reckoning, the great privacy revolt has reached its conclusion , and opinion now couldn't be sourer on
this kind of surveillance gadget.

In the UK, smart glasses have been banned from courts, restaurants, theaters, and even the pub chain Wetherspoons (there's nowhere lower to go than being kicked out of a 'Spoons'). Their disparaging moniker, "pervert glasses", is now used more commonly than their actual name, and they're frowned upon even more in the court of social opinion than in actual courts. Okay I hate to be that guy but whos asking for this August 18, 2026 The reason for this low public opinion well, one of many is smart glasses' use of cameras. Since
the user could be recording video or taking pictures, without anyone else knowing, they're a privacy nightmare. And since legislation can take an age
to come into effect, it's easier just to socially ostracise people who might be recording you without your knowledge. What to read next Meta just fixed a big privacy vulnerability with its Ray-Ban smart glasses Please dont buy
cheap Meta Ray-Ban alternatives heres why 'The chicification of surveillance is deeply concerning' why our tech is getting far too close (and what you
can do about it)

And so, AirPods coming with cameras would be a truly awful look, as it'd get them lumped in with smart glasses. Even if the buds don't actually let you capture footage, and only use their cameras for object recognition, the very presence of visible cameras will get them lumped in with smart glasses: "pervert earbuds".

And that's notwithstanding the real chance as has been demonstrated with those glasses of Apple's earbuds being appropriated by tech-savvy individuals, to somehow get the cameras working (despite the buds' presumed low-res quality that Apple doesn't mean for video capture). As I've written
in the past, these things aren't designed to take pictures. They are for analyzing your surroundings. https://t.co/r7IFNmsoE4 https://t.co/tjmS7w8tlJ August 18, 2026 Disregarding the scant use cases of camera-toting smart glasses, camera-toting AirPods would launch amid a storm of negative
attitudes to this kind of tech. It's a risk and could even be seen as a potential lose-lose situation for Apple: either release a product that's dead on arrival, or one that is popular but helps to distribute and normalize "pervert" tech.

Maybe the sentiment one X user posted, "I hate to be that guy but who's
asking for this?" sums it up nicely. It could be that at this point, we don't need these AirPods, guys. And perhaps Apple could instead put its R&D efforts towards earbuds with a competitive battery life The best wireless earbuds for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best earbuds 1. Best overall: Technics EAH-AZ100 2. Best mid-range: Cambridge Audio A100 3. Best budget: Nothing Ear (a) 4. Best for noise-cancelling: Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra 2nd Gen Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/these-things-arent-meant-to-take-pictures-as-a -fresh-clip-of-camera-equipped-airpods-leaks-people-appear-to-have-already-mad e-their-minds-up-whatever-the-experts-say


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