FutureWatch: Apple is Developing AirPods with Cameras

Apple is ‘actively developing’ a version of AirPods with integrated cameras. This tech is unlikely to make an appearance in AirPods Pro 3, which are expected to debut this year – but nonetheless, it’s in the pipeline. Apple wants your AirPods to better understand your environment, but why?
Visual Intelligence integration

With the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple introduced Camera Control. This new button is great for taking photos and adjusting camera settings, but it also unlocked a new feature: Visual Intelligence.

Visual Intelligence is a powerful tool that helps users learn about the world around them, and allows users to take action based on the physical context around them. You can add an event flyer to your calendar, for example, or tap into the power of ChatGPT or Google to help learn about something you don’t understand. more

Eavesdropping & Anti-Eavesdropping Apps

Two new apps to be aware of…

The iEavesdrop app redirects internal microphone, external wired microphone or line input input audio to any Bluetooth audio device such as AirPods so that you can use your phone as a stealth listening device.

Using the correct line input cables, audio from any device such as an external microphone, in-flight entertainment or portable gaming device can be routed to your AirPods or other Bluetooth device. iEavesdrop will work with all iOS devices.

THIS APP CAN ALSO BE USED FOR MANY OTHER PURPOSES SUCH AS A BABY MONITOR, HEARING AID OR ANY OTHER APPLICATION THAT REQUIRES YOU TO LISTEN IN OR ROUTE MICROPHONE AUDIO TO A BLUETOOTH DEVICE.
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About this app...
Ever thought someone might eavesdrop through your smart phone? Skewy is a privacy protection method, which is more than just a software setting. With Skewy you can mask your conversation with a simple – yet effective method. Simply making the audio data picked up by your phone unusable. Additionally, Skewy can detect ultrasonic signals to indicate the presence of device tracking technologies.

An Update on AirTag and Unwanted Tracking

APPLE - We’ve become aware that individuals can receive unwanted tracking alerts for benign reasons, such as when borrowing someone’s keys with an AirTag attached, or when traveling in a car with a family member’s AirPods left inside. We also have seen reports of bad actors attempting to misuse AirTag for malicious or criminal purposes.

Apple has been working closely with various safety groups and law enforcement agencies. Through our own evaluations and these discussions, we have identified even more ways we can update AirTag safety warnings and help guard against further unwanted tracking...

Advancements Coming to AirTag and the Find My Network
The following updates represent important steps Apple is taking... more

How People Turn iPhones into Bluetooth Bugs

With iOS 12, Apple added a feature, called Live Listen, which essentially turns your AirPods into on-demand hearing aids. 

There's a bit of setup you'll need to do, but once it's done, you can place your phone on a table closer to the person you're talking to and it will send audio to your AirPods.

On your iPhone go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and tap on the green "+" symbol next to the Hearing option. Then, when you need to use the feature put in your AirPods and open Control Center on your iPhone and select the Hearing icon followed by Live Listen. Turn off the feature by repeating those final steps in Control Center. more

Corporate Espionage Alert: If a person excuses themselves from a business meeting to go to the restroom (or other excuse)... NEVER continue the discussion thinking they won't know. They may be using this trick to listen in to what you are saying. More sage corporate counterespionage advice here.

Apple AirPods Live Listen can Eavesdrop

A useful feature of Apple’s wireless AirPods, designed to help hearing impaired, can also be used to engage in eavesdropping...

The feature Live Listen was released with iOS 12, and according to Apple, can be used with AirPods to turn your iPhone iPad, or iPod touch into a microphone - which can then send sound to your AirPods.

“Live Listen can help you hear a conversation in a noisy area or even hear someone speaking across the room,” the website states.

However, as some users have pointed out... 
“If you have AirPods, you can press ‘Live Listen’ to ‘On’ and leave your phone in the room with someone and you can hear what they are saying, thank me later,” one person wrote on Twitter.

People are suggesting it will be a game-changer when it comes to eavesdropping...

Another said: “Literally just bought AirPods to spy on people.” more