I was just reading an article speculating on the possibility of AirPods with cameras. This could be huge for the blind. Namely, not having to pull out an iPhone every time a person needs something to be read or for a door to be located or an object to be identified. Technology will get to a point where it will replace senses such as eyes. AirPods are just small enough where they will be completely unobtrusive.
As Apple enters the realm of “AI,” I believe it could be very useful to have AirPods with cameras. As I mentioned, I believe being able to look in a direction and have automatic description of what’s being seen could be very useful.
Even beyond what I’ve already described, when utilizing maps, instead of pulling out the phone to Scan an area, the AirPods with cameras could automatically do that. a user could pick up a piece of paper and have it read out. A user could simply walk around and be told that a door is 4 feet away and could be pushed open or pulled back.
I even imagine a situation where I’m walking down the street and I hear what i’m crossing or look at the direction of a store and be told what it is. I can similarly imagine looking towards a person and be told if a pretty blonde or redhead is looking back (I am pretty handsome) and smiling . Socialization would quickly become much easier. Because I would be in a space where I know that somebody is interested in me approaching them. Nightclubs and bars and restaurants could be more easily navigated. Even finding an empty chair could become so much simpler.
Comments
Hair can be tied back
The problem with smart glasses is that people might walk into something and they can get broken or scratched up. And as a blind person, I’ve done that several times just walking in my own home and forgetting where I was in conjunction to a kitchen counter when I bent down or that a cupboard door was open. I’ve even walked into things at the gym. And you could say the smart glasses would tell you that you’re close to something. Nine out of 10 times, that would be true. Except sometimes we do things so fast, that a person or technology might not have time to provide a worthwhile warning. I honestly think AirPods with cameras would be a better option for the blind if only because they’re so much less obtrusive.
And hair can be pulled back. I tie my hair back regularly to keep it out of my face. There are hairbands and clips and everything in between.
Smart glasses are going to become a thing no matter what we do, think, or say. They’re going to be part of our lives in a massive way. But I would not mind a parallel technology. I think more than any smart glasses, something like AirPods with cameras are the way to go. I generally don’t even really want to use a screen anymore. I truthfully would like my life to be as artificial, intelligent assistant filled as possible. I just want to be able to tell something what to do and have it done instead of using cumbersome gestures. As I’m writing this post, I’m generally dictating it. But I have to keep going back manually and making corrections. It’s such a hassle.
Hairbrained Guy's Opinion
Yes. I have long, hippie hair. It might get in the way of an ear-cam in some situations, however, I also have an assortment of hair ties, like for the windy days, or working around the surface sander machine or drill press...
I was thinking about this over in another thread. Can they make the camera small enough to fit in an AirPod without sticking out in a weird way? It sticks out of the back of my iPhone.
Battery life is something to keep in mind
Until the battery life issues are solved, I personally do not foresee any of these ideas to be practical for everyday use. Cameras insidesuch a small form factor will probably not get enough battery juice to run for long.
Not sure where these speculations come from, but certainly the prospect would be exciting!
Smart Hard Hat
I have smacked my head on solid objects so many times in my life, I am surprised i am still alive. So, forget smart glasses and AirPods with Cameras, give me a smart hard hat any day.
Thank you, that is all. 😩
Original Mac rumors article
Here is original article from Mac rumors:
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/25/apple-has-explored-smart-ring-and-glasses/
I would actually be OK if it lasted anywhere between five and seven hours. Even four or five hours would be OK with a battery case. To be honest with you I’m completely all in when it comes to something like this. I’ve gone as far as to send an email to Apple accessibility and Apple feedback requesting that they consider releasing them. If anybody’s interested, the more of us reach out to them about it, the more likely it is to happen.
Interesting
Is a low resolution camera good enough for reading? I guess we have to wait for what they come up with on this, but they also talked about glasses that aren't the AR type.
I'd actually consider these.
The only issue I can see with your example is, the smiling thing. Let's say someone smiles at you, do you have the sighted understanding to smile bakc as quick.
also, how good is your head tracking, would the person think you're smiling at them or off in the distance, plus you're blind, you can't be smiling at them, right, right?
I was ggoing to say I'm over thinking this but I don't think I am. I just don't see that as being useful.
Then again it could just be the fact i'm a guy and live in the UK, smiling, what's that?
school sports would be even more riotous
This is a sure fire way of having the television match official, VAR or the decision review system introduced into school sports. This is an arena where parents are already very, very competitive...have you heard some of the abuse that gets hurled at players in a football match between teams of 10-year-olds? Taht's the use case I envisage for this. blind sports would not be immune.
Pitching outside off, impact in lline, and it's hitting the wickets. Joel, you need to reverse your decision to out.
Hats
In my culture, I am expected, as a man, to remove my hat indoors. A few exceptions: certain hats while in the US state of Texas; hotel lobbies and the like; certain religious head coverings. None of these exceptions are immune to harassment by wannabe sticklers. One is only asked to remove one's glasses before being punched in the face.
The outer corner of the eye socket is the place I hate most to crash into something like door edges. Last year, all I did was open my freezer door, and whack! I felt... incompetent for about two weeks because people kept asking me what happened.