Technology giant Apple is reportedly developing a new wearable artificial intelligence device that will take the form of a small, screenless pin designed to be worn on clothing, according to industry reports.
Design and Specifications
The device, described as an "AI pin" in reports from The Information, is said to resemble Apple's existing AirTag trackers in size and form factor. Sources familiar with the project indicate it will be a thin, circular disc constructed from aluminium and glass, featuring multiple integrated cameras, microphones and a speaker system.
Notably, the device will operate without any screen display, marking a significant departure from Apple's traditional product design philosophy. The pin will include a physical button for user interaction and is expected to incorporate wireless charging technology similar to that used in Apple Watch products.
Production and Launch Timeline
Apple is reportedly planning to launch the AI wearable device as early as next year, with ambitious production targets of up to 20 million units at initial release. This would represent Apple's first major foray into the screenless wearable AI assistant market, though the company has not officially confirmed these development plans.
Competitive Landscape
Apple would not be pioneering this product category, as US startup Humane previously launched a similar wearable AI assistant in 2024. The Humane AI Pin, developed by former Apple employees, faced significant criticism for performance issues including slow response times, overheating problems and limited functionality before being discontinued.
Meanwhile, OpenAI is also developing its own AI hardware device following the acquisition of a startup led by former Apple designer Jony Ive. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has described their forthcoming product as potentially "the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen," though specific details remain scarce.
Strategic Partnerships
The reported development of Apple's AI pin comes shortly after the company announced a significant collaboration with Google to power its artificial intelligence features using Google's Gemini technology. This multi-year partnership, which includes enhancements to Apple's Siri assistant, suggests Apple is making substantial investments across multiple AI initiatives simultaneously.
Industry analysts suggest that Apple's entry into the wearable AI device market could significantly impact consumer adoption patterns, given the company's established ecosystem and manufacturing capabilities. However, the commercial failure of Humane's similar product serves as a cautionary tale about the technical challenges involved in developing reliable, screenless AI wearables.
As technology companies increasingly explore post-smartphone computing paradigms, Apple's rumoured AI pin represents another potential direction for how consumers might interact with artificial intelligence in their daily lives, moving beyond screen-based interfaces toward more ambient, integrated experiences.
