Weird new AirPods features + more details on the Vision Air (CultCast #654)

The CultCast

This week, next-gen AirPods Pro with IR cameras that’ll do… what, exactly? We also have more details on the cheaper Vision Pro, a hidden feature in your iPad Magic Keyboard and an all-new Under Review!

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This week’s stories:

Future AirPods could use IR cameras for in-air gesture control

• Apple could equip a future AirPods variant with camera modules. The earbuds may incorporate an IR camera, like the one Apple uses for iPhone’s Face ID.

Vision Pro:

• Vision Pro might not get Apple Intelligence until 2025
• MacRumors: Apple Likely Planning to Use Bigger, Lower Resolution Displays for Cheaper Vision Headset

Apple will get a board observer seat at OpenAI later this year

• Apple Inc. will get an observer role on OpenAI’s board as part of a landmark agreement announced last month, further tightening ties between the once-unlikely partners.

How to find the iPad Magic Keyboard’s hidden backlight

• Some people complain that the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad doesn’t have a backlight for the keyboard. Turns out it actually does have one, but the controls aren’t where you might expect.

Apple Watch can detect leading cause of heart attacks, doctor says

• The Apple Watch can detect a leading cause of heart attacks — an unadvertised capability that could have big implications for health monitoring — according to a Dutch doctor.

The 8 weirdest unreleased Apple products

• Apple only shows off its finished products, which makes the company’s secret prototypes and early concepts all the more fascinating. Even if you’re well-versed in Apple history, these alternate-history unreleased Apple products will intrigue and confuse.

Under Review:

• Soundpeats Air4 Pro
• Nintendo Switch OLED Model