Apple Developing Custom Chips For Smart Glasses, MacBooks, Watch, AirPods, AI Servers
The new chips will serve as the "brains for future devices."
Apple is creating custom semiconductor chips that will power its devices in the future, such as smart glasses—a space where the company is pushing hard—artificial intelligence servers, and new range of MacBooks.
According to Bloomberg tech expert Mark Gurman’s latest report, Apple’s “silicon design group is working on new chips that will serve as the brains for future devices.” Citing someone with knowledge of the development, Gurman noted that Apple has made advancements on the chip it is creating for smart glasses, which also suggests that Apple is accelerating their development in a bid to rival Ray-Ban Meta AI eyewear.
As per the report, the chip for its planned smart glasses is based on those found in the Apple Watch. They reportedly use less energy than parts found in devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Taiwan’s TSMC is likely to produce this chip. If all goes as planned, the glasses could land on the eyes of users within the next two years.
Gurman also wrote that the tech major is working on a chip dubbed “Nevis” for the Apple Watch equipped with a camera. Similarly, it is developing a part called “Glennie” for the AirPods, which will also have a camera.
These developments are part of Apple’s Visual Intelligence push, a feature iPhones already have but the company wants to add to other devices as well. By 2027, Apple plans to have such chips ready, Gurman added.
Other chips in development would power the Apple Intelligence platform along with future Macs and AI servers. According to the report, Apple is developing a number of new Mac chips, including processors that are probably going to be referred to as the M6 and M7.
Apple has been pushing the development of indigenous silicon chips as well, moving away from reliance on external semiconductor manufacturers such as Qualcomm. Notably, the company’s first in-house cellular modem chip—Apple C1—debuted in the iPhone 16e in February. Apple intends to eventually surpass Qualcomm’s technology by 2027, according to sources.
