Khaberni - Tim Cook has increasingly hinted that the future of Apple's technologies won’t just stay in the pocket, but will start to see the world as we see it.
The idea revolves around a new generation of wearable devices that relies on so-called Visual Intelligence, i.e., systems capable of understanding the surrounding scene in real-time.
According to a report by journalist Mark Gurman at "Bloomberg," Apple is redirecting its efforts towards an entirely new category of products with Visual Intelligence as its core, according to a report published by "phonearena" and seen by "Al Arabiya Business."
From taking photos to understanding context
Apple has already hinted at this direction through features revealed in the iPhone 16 Pro, where the user can photograph something and ask questions about it.
However, the broader goal goes beyond analyzing static images to providing instant assistance based on understanding context.
Instead of telling you to "walk 500 feet," it might say: "Turn left after the Starbucks café."
It might recognize the ingredients of your meal, or remind you to pick up the mail as you approach your home's door.
New devices.. from glasses to pendants
The new direction is not limited to the phone.
Apple is exploring several forms of wearable devices, including:
- Advanced AirPods that help you navigate and understand your environment.
- Smart glasses that display signs and information directly in your field of vision.
- A smart pendant worn around the neck that includes cameras acting as a "second eye."
The idea is not to replace the phone, but to enhance its experience. And this is a fundamental difference compared to other companies’ failed attempts to replace the phone entirely.
Why is this shift important?
The transformation indicates Apple's desire to reduce the user's reliance on continuously looking at a screen.
Rather than pulling out the phone every time, information becomes present in your field of vision or through a voice assistant powered by instantaneous visual understanding.
It also reflects Apple's ambition to catch up with competitors who have enhanced their artificial intelligence capabilities, led by "Google" with its Gemini model capable of understanding images and context.
But the potential difference lies in the design. If Apple succeeds in presenting glasses that look completely normal, or a pendant that looks like a piece of jewelry rather than a tech device, the initial skepticism that accompanied the Apple Watch before it became a widely spread product may be repeated.
Are we facing a new era?
The idea of wearing a device with a camera all the time might be controversial in terms of privacy, but it also opens the door to a new level of interaction between humans and technology.
If Apple can balance utility, privacy, and sleek design, we might witness a shift from a smartphone to a smart system that accompanies and sees with you.
The next battle in the tech world will not only be about processor power or screen resolution but about who understands the world around you better — and translates it into real assistance in your daily life.
