According to MacRumors, the short video appeared in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 Release Candidate. In the clip, a user holds a book in front of a camera on the AirPods and then asks a question.

A voice in the video says: “With Visual Intelligence, the world around you can be captured. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later.”

The discovery aligns with previous reports suggesting that cameras on AirPods would primarily support Visual Intelligence, Apple’s AI feature that allows Siri to analyze a user’s surroundings.

According to sources, the AirPods cameras would feed visual information into Visual Intelligence, enabling Siri to answer questions about what the user is looking at while also remembering or saving relevant information. The cameras are reportedly not intended for taking conventional photos.

In macOS 26.7, Apple may also be adding an option to set up Visual Intelligence for AirPods. The system includes a warning telling users to make sure the earbuds are not obstructed.

The message reads: “For the most accurate information about things in your surroundings, make sure AirPods are not covered.”

This suggests that camera positioning will play an important role in the device’s ability to recognize objects and analyze its surroundings. If hair or another object blocks the camera, the feature’s accuracy could be affected.

The camera-equipped AirPods are reportedly known internally by the code B790. The same product identifier has previously appeared in reports from Bloomberg.

Some sources suggest Apple could unveil the device as early as September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a foldable iPhone.

However, the launch timeline remains uncertain. Bloomberg previously reported that Apple could delay the camera-equipped AirPods until late 2027.

Notably, macOS Tahoe 26.7 contains several other references to the B790 product, along with information pointing to a range of unreleased Apple devices.

If commercialized, camera-equipped AirPods could significantly expand the role of wireless earbuds. Rather than simply playing music, handling calls or providing access to Siri, the device could become an AI-powered tool that helps users recognize and understand the world around them.

Du Lam