Cupertino tech giant Apple is reportedly working on a new wearable device that could bring artificial intelligence closer to the user without having to constantly rely on a smartphone screen.
Apple is reportedly experimenting with AI-powered pins that can be clipped onto clothing. The device is said to be slightly thicker than the AirTag and made using aluminum and glass.
It reportedly comes with two cameras, three microphones, built-in speakers, and wireless charging. A physical side button and magnetic charging system similar to the Apple Watch are also part of the reported design.
Will it surpass the iPhone?
Although AI Pins is still in its early stages of development and may never see the light of day, its existence points to deeper concerns within Apple. It’s fair to say that Apple makes most of its revenue from the iPhone, but the industry is clearly moving towards AI-first computing, where the screen doesn’t matter (Rabbit, for example).
Apple has seen this story before. Companies that failed to adapt to the new interface often lost control of their core business. This time, Apple seems determined to destroy itself rather than be destroyed.
OpenAI and Jony Ive factors
However, this timing is no coincidence.
Last year, OpenAI acquired Jony Ive’s hardware startup io in a $6.5 billion deal, marking a serious commitment to AI-native devices. A former head of design at Apple, Ive worked on iconic products such as the iPhone, iPod, and iMac.
According to reports, OpenAI aims to launch its first AI device in the second half of 2026. However, as the project is being developed in secrecy, key features, form factors, and consumer use cases remain unidentified.
The move sent a clear signal to the entire industry that AI hardware is coming, but it may not look like a phone. With Sam Altman backing Ive, Apple is unlikely to sit idly by as the former insider redefines personal computing.
learn from past mistakes
That being said, AI pins are not new. A startup called Humane tried a similar idea with AI pins, but the product failed to gain traction and was shut down within a year. Analysts say they believe Apple can succeed where others fail because of its ecosystem.
Apple AI pins don’t work on their own and can depend on nearby devices. Audio responses can come from your AirPods, visuals can appear on your Apple Watch, and heavy processing can run silently on your iPhone.
Questions about release schedule and iPhone
Apple could launch AI Pins as early as 2027, according to industry experts. If this is successful, the company is reportedly confident enough to plan to produce around 20 million units at launch.
Some online speculation has already classified this device as an “iPhone killer”. But industry officials say that is unlikely to happen in the near future. The iPhone is expected to remain the centerpiece of Apple’s lineup for years to come.
Rather, AI Ping may represent the first step in a longer transition in which Apple gradually moves users away from always-on screens and toward AI that simply lives with them.
If you were going to use your phone less, would you actually wear an AI pin that sees and listens to your actions?
Please let us know.
