Meta’s next hardware project could involve earbuds and cameras

Meta might be known to most of us as a software/services company with brands like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp under their belt. But the company does dabble in hardware from time to time, like the Meta Quest VR headset and the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. Now it looks like Meta’s got a new hardware project in the works.

According to a report from The Information (paywall), Meta is working on a new project codenamed “Camerabuds”. The name itself is quite a giveaway. It seems that Meta is looking to develop a pair of earbuds with built-in cameras and AI features. The report claims that it’s still in the early stages of development.

Apparently Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has seen several designs for the new hardware project but isn’t too thrilled by any of them just yet. There are also some technical hurdles that need to be addressed. For example, there is the issue of users with long hair where the cameras will be obstructed. It will also need to stay cool under load. Plus, it needs to be fast enough to transmit video in real-time to a device, such as a phone, where the AI will process the images.

This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about companies trying to enhance earbuds. Apple themselves were rumored to be looking to include health-related features to its AirPods. In any case, take it with a grain of salt for now. There is no guarantee that this project could ever see the light of day.