Developers digging into the iOS 27 beta have uncovered a curious new Apple device hidden in the system files under the codename B790. Far from the anticipated Apple smart glasses, this mysterious product appears to be a pair of AirPods equipped with cameras. According to the code, these earbuds can capture images from cameras positioned on either side of the user’s head and feed them into Apple’s Visual Intelligence system.
The discovery was first made by designer and developer Sam Henri Gold. The references in the code suggest this isn’t about taking photos but rather about enabling Visual Intelligence features. This system recognizes text, landmarks, and everyday objects within the Apple ecosystem. Interestingly, the code explicitly mentions landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and common items like a coffee cup, indicating Apple is experimenting with a broad, practical computer vision use case rather than something niche.
Initially, speculation linked the B790 codename to Apple’s rumored smart glasses. However, the AirPods theory now seems more plausible. The naming scheme aligns with previous Apple audio devices-AirPods Pro 3, for example, reportedly use the codename B788, just two digits away. Meanwhile, Apple’s smart glasses have appeared in leaks under a different codename, N50.
If this pans out, Apple may be preparing an answer to products like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses-though with a notable difference. With Meta’s devices banned in Russia as the company is labeled an extremist organization there, Apple might sidestep glasses entirely. Instead, they could embed cameras and advanced visual features directly into AirPods, avoiding the need for users to wear an additional device on their face. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo floated similar ideas earlier this year, suggesting AirPods could get infrared cameras to support spatial audio and gesture controls.
Wearable tech is no longer a niche hobby. IDC projects global shipments of hearables-including headphones and smart earbuds-to surpass 350 million units in 2025. Meanwhile, Meta and EssilorLuxottica reported over 2 million pairs of Ray-Ban smart glasses sold before 2025 was even over. For Apple, this represents a substantial market ripe for innovation-especially by expanding Visual Intelligence beyond the iPhone.
Don’t expect these camera-equipped AirPods anytime soon. Bloomberg recently reported that both Apple’s advanced AirPods and their own smart glasses are tentatively scheduled for release toward the end of 2027. The B790 references in iOS 27 feel more like early groundwork than an imminent launch-a platform being shaped well ahead of the final product.
* Meta is banned in Russia as an extremist organization, and its activities are prohibited there.