New code discovered inside Apple’s iOS 27 developer beta has reignited speculation about the company’s upcoming AI-powered wearable. Initially, the code appeared to reference the long-rumored Apple Vision Glasses, but developers now believe it may point to a pair of camera-equipped AirPods instead.
The mystery device, carrying the internal codename B790, was uncovered by developer Sam Henri Gold in the second beta of iOS 27. The code includes system messages tied to Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature, which allows a wearable to recognize landmarks, text, and objects using onboard cameras. Examples embedded in the software—such as the Eiffel Tower and a coffee mug—suggest the wearable could deliver real-time contextual information about what users see.
What initially fueled Vision Glasses hype has shifted after closer analysis. The code describes images captured “from cameras on either side of a user’s head,” a description that aligns more naturally with earbuds than eyewear. Developers also note that the B790 codename follows a pattern consistent with earlier AirPods identifiers, while Apple’s rumored smart glasses are believed to carry a different internal designation.
Visual Intelligence, part of Apple’s broader Apple Intelligence initiative, already enables users to identify objects and landmarks through AI-powered image recognition on the iPhone. The latest code indicates Apple intends to extend this functionality to wearable devices. Whether the final product will be Vision Glasses or camera-equipped AirPods remains unknown, but one thing is clear: Apple is actively developing software for a new class of AI-powered wearables with integrated cameras.