Apple's leaked new AirPods Pro look like a privacy nightmare

(Image credit: Future) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter While Apple keeps a famously tight lid on its upcoming products, we've seen some pretty…

(Image credit: Future) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter While Apple keeps a famously tight lid on its upcoming products, we've seen some pretty significant leaks in recent years. Nothing will likely ever beat the unreleased iPhone 4 getting left in a bar in 2010. But over the last year we've seen an unprecedented iPhone 18 leak, and now what looks to be an AirPods Pro leak direct from Apple itself.Hidden in the source files for the latest MacOS Tahoe beta, users have found what appears to be an official Apple video showing AirPods Pro with Visual Intelligence. Which means, yes, these must be the long-rumoured AirPods with cameras.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/yo7RI4MCeuAugust 18, 2026The short video depicts a man holding a book up to his face, while a voiceover explains, "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later." Since the man isn't wearing any kind of smart glasses, or indeed holding a phone, the reasonable assumption here is that the AirPods he's wearing contain cameras.Latest Videos FromCreative BloqWatch full video here: Design-wise, they look pretty similar to the current AirPods Pro, although the stem is perhaps a tad longer. If the stems do contain cameras though, they might end up looking a little different from the front. The design looks similar to the current AirPods Pro (Image credit: Apple)But it's that design similarity that arguably makes these somewhat alarming. Judging by the video, these look extremely inconspicuous – like any other AirPods. And while we don't know the specifics of the cameras and what they'll be able to capture, wearables with cameras are a contentious topic right now. Just look at the controversy around Meta glasses. Wearables with cameras are a contentious topic right now (Image credit: Everyone Hates Elon / Future)As you might expect, the response among fans is concentrating primarily on privacy concerns rather than the tech itself. "I hate this. Gyms obviously ban phones in locker rooms but now I’ll have to take off my AirPods to make sure people feel comfortable," one Redditor comments. Another adds, "Oh wow. I really surprised they moved ahead with these after the backlash Meta is getting. This is a privacy nightmare."Time will tell whether Apple has managed to get its privacy features and messaging right. But right now, the discomfort is real.Get the Creative Bloq NewsletterSign up to Creative Bloq's daily newsletter, which brings you the latest news and inspiration from the worlds of art, design and technology. TOPICS Daniel JohnDesign EditorDaniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of design, branding and lifestyle tech, and has covered several industry events including Milan Design Week, OFFF Barcelona and Adobe Max in Los Angeles. He has interviewed leaders and designers at brands including Apple, Microsoft and Adobe. Daniel's debut book of short stories and poems was published in 2018, and his comedy newsletter is a Substack Bestseller. View More You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Logout LATEST ARTICLES 1 Tell us what you think about the new Instagram wordmark 2 Clay looks like Disney's most unusual and creative movie in years 3 Forget dumbphones, this viral app lets you send messages by virtual pigeon 4 These suggestive billboard posters are making people do a double take 5 Apple's iPhone Ultra design keeps getting more and more unconventional

Source: Creative Bloq AI Art — Published August 18, 2026 at 11:12 UTC — Category: Image AI