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Apple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearable

Recorded: Jan. 21, 2026, 11:03 p.m.

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Apple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearable | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Apple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearableComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsApple is reportedly working on an AirTag-sized AI wearableThe circular device will pick up a wearer’s surroundings using its built-in cameras and microphones, according to The Information.The circular device will pick up a wearer’s surroundings using its built-in cameras and microphones, according to The Information.by Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothJan 21, 2026, 9:43 PM UTCLinkShareGiftPhoto by Vjeran Pavic / The VergeEmma RothCloseEmma RothPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.Apple is working on an AI-powered wearable pin with cameras and microphones designed to pick up a user’s surroundings, according to a report from The Information. The rumored device is reportedly the size of an AirTag, with “thin, flat, circular” housing made from aluminium and glass.The Information reports that Apple’s rumored AI pin will have a standard lens and a wide-angle lens, along with three microphones, a speaker, a physical button on one of its sides, and support for wireless charging. The device is still in the “early stages” of development and could arrive as soon as 2027, according to The Information.Along with this rumored plan, Apple is partnering with Google to power a more personalized Siri in the coming months. Additionally, Bloomberg reports that Apple will transform its voice assistant into an AI chatbot built into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac in September.RelatedIn 2025, wearables made a hard pivot to AIThough many companies are injecting AI into wearable devices like smart glasses, watches, and headphones, others are creating dedicated AI devices — some of which haven’t yet found their footing. Humane, for example, shut down its AI Pin after it didn’t live up to expectations. OpenAI and former Apple designer Jony Ive are also developing an AI device, though the details remain under wraps.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIAppleCloseApplePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AppleApple RumorsCloseApple RumorsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Apple RumorsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechWearableCloseWearablePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All WearableMost PopularMost PopularSony’s TV business is being taken over by TCLHow much can a city take?What a Sony and TCL partnership means for the future of TVsHow BYD beat TeslaOne year in, Big Tech has out-maneuvered MAGA populistsThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered wearable device, tentatively envisioned as a pin-like accessory similar in size to an AirTag. According to a report published by The Information, this device represents a significant shift in Apple’s approach to wearable technology, moving beyond traditional smartwatches and fitness trackers. The core functionality of the device revolves around passively capturing the wearer’s surroundings through a combination of built-in cameras and microphones—a feature intended to provide contextual awareness without requiring active user input.

The design specifications, as outlined in the report, include a circular housing constructed from aluminum and glass. The device will incorporate a standard lens and a wide-angle lens, accompanied by three microphones for audio recording, and a speaker for output. A physical button will be situated on one side of the device for user interaction. Wireless charging capabilities are also planned.

The development of this AI pin is occurring in the early stages, with an anticipated arrival date as early as 2027. Alongside the development of this device, Apple is engaged in a strategic partnership with Google, aiming to integrate more personalized Siri functionality. Bloomberg has also reported Apple’s intention to transform its existing voice assistant into an AI chatbot, slated for integration across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac by September. This transition points towards a broader embrace of AI across Apple’s product ecosystem.

The emergence of this AI pin reflects a growing trend within the technology industry—the creation of dedicated AI devices. While other companies have explored incorporating AI into wearable technology like smart glasses, watches, and headphones, Apple appears to be taking a distinct approach by developing a device specifically designed to passively capture and process environmental data. The experiences of Humane, which launched its AI Pin but ultimately faced challenges, provide a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential difficulties in achieving widespread adoption and demonstrating the market’s willingness to embrace such novel concepts. OpenAI, in conjunction with former Apple designer Jony Ive, is also pursuing a similar AI device, though its specific details remain largely confidential. This development underscores a broader technological race toward creating intelligent accessories that can understand and respond to the user's surroundings.