Apple may be quietly exploring a new category of hardware, and this one is small enough to disappear into your jacket lapel.
According to a new report from The Information, Apple is developing an AI-powered wearable pin roughly the size of an AirTag. Think less sci-fi gimmick and more classic Apple slow burn. If it ever ships, the device would reportedly run Apple’s next-generation Siri chatbot, expected to debut alongside iOS 27.
What Apple’s AI pin reportedly looks like
The device is described as a thin, circular disc made of aluminum and glass, slightly thicker than an AirTag but similar in overall footprint. On the front are two cameras: one standard lens and one wide-angle lens, designed to capture photos and video from the wearer’s perspective.
Audio is clearly a big focus too. The pin reportedly includes three microphones to pick up ambient sound, along with a built-in speaker for responses and playback. There is also a physical button on the edge, which already tells you Apple is thinking about intentional interaction rather than always-on listening.
Power would come via wireless charging, similar to the Apple Watch, and while the current prototypes do not have a built-in attachment mechanism, that is something Apple could easily refine later.
A standalone device, not just an accessory
What stands out is that this does not sound like a passive add-on. With cameras, microphones, a speaker, and physical controls, the AI pin appears capable of operating independently.
The report notes that Apple has not decided whether the pin would be sold on its own or bundled with other future products, such as smart glasses. Still, the hardware layout suggests Apple wants this to stand on its own if needed.
That lines up with Apple’s broader philosophy. Even when devices work best together, Apple tends to ensure each product can function independently rather than feeling like a required accessory.
Why Apple is even considering an AI pin
AI wearables have had a rough track record so far. Products like Humane’s AI Pin and other similar devices generated hype but struggled with real-world usefulness. That said, the category has not gone away.
Meta is pushing forward with AI-powered glasses. Amazon has experimented with the Bee bracelet. OpenAI is working with Jony Ive on a small AI device of its own, though details remain vague. The point is that the industry is clearly searching for a post-smartphone interface.
Apple does not like to be first, but it does not like to be absent either. An AI pin could be Apple’s way of experimenting internally while waiting for the right mix of software maturity, battery efficiency, and on-device intelligence.
Do not expect this anytime soon
Even if development continues, this device is not imminent. The Information says the AI pin could launch as early as 2027, but it also stresses that the project is still in early stages and could be canceled altogether.
That caution matters. Apple kills more products than it ships, especially when a category does not meet its standards for privacy, usability, or long-term value.
Still, the fact that Apple is even exploring an AirTag-sized AI wearable says a lot. It suggests Apple is thinking seriously about what comes after phones, and how Siri fits into that future when it is no longer confined to a screen.
Whether this AI pin becomes a real product or remains a stepping stone, it feels like a glimpse into how Apple is reimagining personal computing, quietly, patiently, and very much on its own terms.
