Developer Sam Henri Gold reportedly uncovered references in the iOS 27 beta source code pointing to an unreleased Apple device codenamed “B790” and what’s described sounds like nothing Apple currently sells.
According to the code, B790 features two outward-facing cameras, one on each side of the user’s head, feeding live visual data into Apple’s Visual Intelligence system. The result would be a wearable that can identify landmarks, read signs and menus, recognize objects and buildings, and respond to questions about the surrounding environment all hands-free, without needing to hold up an iPhone.
The obvious question is what exactly this device is. Three candidates keep coming up in reports. Camera-equipped AirPods are the most discussed Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have both reported Apple is working on earbuds with tiny cameras designed specifically for Visual Intelligence rather than photography. Apple smart glasses are another possibility, which would put the product in direct competition with Meta’s AI glasses lineup. A wearable AI pendant or clip-on device has also been mentioned, though that remains the thinnest of the three in terms of sourcing.
The timing is interesting given that a separate report just claimed development of the camera AirPods had been suspended. A product showing up in iOS 27 beta code suggests development is at least active enough to be testing software frameworks, even if hardware timelines have shifted.
Apple hasn’t confirmed B790, the cameras, or any new wearable category.
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