Apple's Q.ai buy makes sense if 'silent speech' boosts wearable accuracy, SAG says

Apple's AAPL.O acquisition of Israeli startup Q.ai makes sense if the iPhone maker can successfully integrate the startup's "silent speech" recognition across its wearable portfolio, market research firm Smart Analytics Global says

SAG says Q.ai's silent speech recognition tech, which detects subtle facial muscle, lip and skin micro-movements, could improve accuracy and hands-free interaction across AAPL's wearable portfolio

AAPL sold about 560 mln AirPods between 2017 and 2025, generating roughly $75 bln in cumulative revenue, SAG estimates

Expects Apple's upcoming AI smart glasses to ship about 60 mln units between 2027 and 2030, generating ~$24 bln in revenue

SAG says that by the late 2020s, AAPL's combined annual ecosystem of AirPods, Vision Pro and AI glasses could approach ~100 mln units per year, translating to roughly $22 bln in annual revenue

AAPL rose ~9% last year