Apple’s next big AI idea might be smaller than you think

Apple could be working on a brand-new device that fits snugly on your shirt but carries some serious AI power. According to a report from The Information, the company is developing an AI-powered wearable pin, equipped with cameras and microphones, and it might just be the next big thing in Apple’s expanding AI future.

If this sleek new gadget makes it to market, it would mark Apple’s first major leap into AI-focused hardware, coming at a time when tech rivals are racing to define what the next generation of personal devices will look like.

Apple’s AirTag-sized AI device

Described internally as a “thin, flat, circular disc” made from aluminium and glass, Apple’s rumoured AI pin could be about the same size as an AirTag, only slightly thicker.

It’s said to pack two cameras, one with a standard lens and another with a wide-angle option, allowing users to take pictures and record video directly from their clothing.

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That’s not all. The device reportedly includes three microphones, a small speaker, a physical button, and a Fitbit-style charging strip on the back.

In short, it sounds like Apple is trying to squeeze an iPhone’s worth of intelligence into a wearable the size of a coin.

The idea, according to the report, is to create an always-on assistant that’s more portable and discreet than a smartphone. Think of it as Siri, but clipped to your jacket, ready to see, hear and respond in real time.

It’s not clear yet what operating system or AI model would power it, but given Apple’s recent partnership with Google to integrate Gemini into its ecosystem.

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Racing against rivals

The timing of this leak is no coincidence. Earlier this week, OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Chris Lehane, revealed that the company plans to unveil its first hardware device in the second half of this year.

Reports suggest that OpenAI’s mystery gadget could be a pair of AI-powered earbuds, and yes, it’s being designed with help from former Apple design legend Jony Ive.

That puts Apple in a tricky but familiar position, following its former designer’s new venture while trying to outshine it. The company is reportedly accelerating development of its AI pin to compete directly, with plans to launch as early as 2027 and ship up to 20 million units at debut.

Apple, however, has a track record of perfecting concepts that others couldn’t quite get right. From the smartwatch to wireless earbuds, the company has a knack for turning scepticism into success stories.

If this AI pin is real, it might just signal Apple’s vision for a world beyond screens, one where artificial intelligence isn’t just on your phone, but part of your wardrobe. And if history is any guide, Apple’s smallest idea yet could end up making the biggest splash.