Earbuds have emerged as one of the most popular wearable audio devices in recent times. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Meta are currently exploring the possibility of incorporating cameras into earphones as a stand-in for smart glasses.
Samsung is reportedly considering including cameras in its line of earbuds.
Meta is also confirmed to be producing camera-equipped prototype headphones that enable users to examine actual objects.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds are regularly ranked among the best wireless earbuds available for providing good music quality, impressive noise cancellation, and a number of fascinating features. But it sounds like Samsung is thinking of adding a somewhat bizarre feature to their earphones in the future.
Bloomberg reported that Samsung (as well as Meta and Apple) are considering wireless earphones with built-in cameras. It cited a credible source for the piece of news, with no further details.
Many are wondering if adding a camera on earbuds is a necessary addition or a features creep.
Wikipedia defines “features creep” as the “excessive ongoing expansion or addition of new features in a product.”
Wikipedia further illustrates the concept by adding “these extra features go beyond the basic function of the product and can result in software bloat and over-complication, rather than simple design.”
Bloomberg’s report also added that Meta’s upcoming earbuds will have built-in cameras that can see the outside world and take action using AI.
Samsung is a newcomer to the market, but Apple and Meta have been working on this creative idea for a while. Samsung’s Galaxy Buds could be a smart glasses substitute given Apple’s and Meta’s approaches to wireless headphones with cameras. This would enable users to learn more about what they see and make it easier to control the company’s planned XR headset, Project Moohan. But this is just conjecture.
It will be a few years before we see the launching of these gadgets (assuming they debut at all) but the plan is strange.
