Apple appears to be getting closer to launching AirPods with built-in cameras, after a demo video and several references to the unreleased earbuds were discovered inside the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate.

The discovery is particularly notable because recent rumors had suggested development of one camera-equipped AirPods project had been suspended. However, newer reports indicate Apple has actually been developing at least two separate versions, meaning the product seen in macOS may belong to a different project.

The short demo shows a person wearing AirPods while holding up a book. The feature then uses Visual Intelligence to understand what the wearer is looking at and allows that information to be saved for later.

The idea is essentially to give Siri access to the user’s surroundings without requiring them to take out their iPhone and point its camera at something.

Previous reports suggest the cameras are intended for AI and Visual Intelligence rather than conventional photography or video recording. Siri could potentially identify objects, answer questions about the environment, and remember things the user sees.

Here is your first look at AirPods with Cameras in action using Visual Intelligence.

This video file came from macOS 26.7 RC pic.twitter.com/yo7RI4MCeu

— Aaron (@aaronp613) August 18, 2026

MacRumors also discovered multiple references to a device codenamed B790 inside macOS 26.7.

One piece of code refers directly to starting an image stream from the left earbud, providing particularly strong evidence that B790 includes cameras. The software also contains setup references for using Visual Intelligence with AirPods.

Another message warns users that the AirPods should not be covered if they want accurate information about their surroundings, suggesting hair or clothing could obstruct the cameras.

The situation is more complicated than earlier reports suggested.

Apple has reportedly spent years developing a camera-equipped AirPods model under the codename B798. That version was originally expected in 2026 but is now reportedly targeting 2027.

However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple is also developing the separate B790 model. That version is further along and has reportedly been considered for release before the end of 2026.

This means reports that Apple’s camera AirPods were cancelled or delayed may have referred to a different version rather than the B790 device now appearing throughout Apple’s software.

The B790 AirPods could potentially be announced as soon as September 2026, when Apple is expected to introduce its next flagship iPhones. However, Apple has not officially announced the product or confirmed a launch date.

The fact that Apple has already included a polished Visual Intelligence demonstration and multiple hardware references inside a near-final macOS release suggests the camera-equipped AirPods project is considerably further along than a simple prototype.

If Apple does launch them, the biggest change may not be better audio at all. Instead, AirPods could become another AI wearable that allows Siri to understand the physical world around the user.

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