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Apple Cancels Camera Apple Watch Plans, Shifts Focus to Smart AirPods and Glasses
Apple Cancels Camera Apple Watch—Here’s What It’s Building Instead
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In a surprising shift, Apple has reportedly scrapped its plans to launch a camera-equipped Apple Watch, redirecting its focus toward AI-powered AirPods and smart glasses instead. The move marks a strategic pivot in Apple’s long-term wearable roadmap, emphasizing ambient intelligence and more immersive, sensor-rich experiences.
“Nevis” Project Quietly Canceled
According to Bloomberg, Apple had been working on a camera-equipped Apple Watch under the codename “Nevis.” Both regular and ultra models were in development, with plans to bring AI-enhanced contextual awareness directly to the wrist. Originally slated for a 2027 launch, the project has now been quietly shelved.
The camera wasn’t meant for photography or video calls. Instead, Apple envisioned it powering features like:
- Object recognition
- Real-time translation
- Visual cues for contextual AI responses
- Environmental understanding (similar to iPhone’s Visual Intelligence)
These features would have essentially turned the Apple Watch into a hands-free visual AI interface, helping users better interact with their surroundings without pulling out a phone.
While Apple hasn’t provided an official reason for the cancellation, it’s possible the project could be revisited in a different form in the future.
Apple Shifts Focus to Camera-Equipped AirPods
Apple hasn’t given up on its vision for wearable visual intelligence—it’s just shifting that vision to the ears.
The company is still said to be developing a new generation of AirPods with tiny built-in cameras, known internally as Project “Glennie.” These cameras would likely function as infrared sensors, enabling a suite of new features:
- Advanced spatial audio calibration
- Gesture-based controls
- AI-driven user experiences powered by visual and positional input
This approach would turn AirPods into context-aware, vision-enhanced wearables, supporting Apple’s broader ambient AI ambitions.
Related: Everything we know about the upcoming AirPods Pro 3
Smart Glasses Remain on the Roadmap
Apple’s pivot also reinforces its continued interest in smart glasses—a lighter, more wearable extension of the Vision Pro ecosystem.
Reports suggest that Apple aims to release its first smart glasses by late 2026, featuring:
- Hands-free camera use
- Real-time overlays
- Visual Intelligence integration
- AI-powered navigation and control
These glasses are expected to compete directly with Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, offering more advanced features and tighter iOS integration.
What This Means for Apple’s Wearables Strategy
The cancellation of the camera Apple Watch signals a refinement of Apple’s wearable vision. Instead of placing a camera on the wrist—where ergonomic and privacy challenges may arise—Apple is investing in more natural, sensory-first platforms like the ears (AirPods) and eyes (smart glasses).
The decision also suggests Apple sees more long-term value in wearables that can seamlessly capture spatial and visual context while remaining intuitive to use and socially acceptable.
Apple’s decision to abandon the camera Apple Watch doesn’t signal the end of its wearable ambitions. On the contrary, it shows a sharper focus on where wearables and AI are heading next—toward multisensory, intelligence-rich devices that feel less like tech and more like everyday extensions of ourselves.
Are AirPods and smart glasses the future of AI wearables? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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