Inside the enterprise
The fact that these things will be tested means enterprise IT will need to engage in close scrutiny of the protections Apple puts in place. You do not want confidential documents, blueprints, or other printed records photographed by cameras stuffed in someone’s ears; IT will likely put constraints on these things at work or in highly confidential settings, such as hospitals.
Finally, I’m fairly convinced this leak represents a company looking to reset privacy expectations on its platforms. The introduction of the friendly and fluffy face of video AirPods in the video should help Apple familiarize its customers with the concepts and workings of these devices. Apple has time to move slowly on this, and its leadership likely already knows that spy cameras in your ears will not be an easy sell to all of its customers.
Nevertheless, it’s a sell it has to make, in part because future Apple glasses will require this – and because building trust and familiarity with this kind of intrusive tech will also be necessary for other product categories. (Apple insiders whisper the company wants to get into robotics, automation, or even transportation.
