Former Apple Employees' 'RearVision' Vehicle Camera Launches for $500 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Former Apple Employees' 'RearVision' Vehicle Camera Launches for $500

by

Vehicle accessory start-up Pearl, which was founded by three former Apple engineers, has begun shipping its "RearVision" car camera system to the first round of pre-order customers, while also making the $500 device available to purchase for everyone else on its website. The company announced RearVision back in June, focusing "on the existing install base" of people with older cars by introducing a high tech, attachable license plate accessory that connects via Bluetooth to an iOS or Android smartphone, displaying a 180-degree rear-view field of vision when backing up a car.

pearl-1
Pearl claims that RearVision "installs in minutes," thanks to a "theft resistant" camera frame for a license plate, and a simple dongle that's plugged into a vehicle's diagnostic port. The system also comes with a vent mount for the smartphone, so users can get a hands-free view each time they begin backing up their car. A few other features of RearVision include:

Automatic Updates​ — Pearl RearVision is the one backup camera and alert system that will never be outdated. The Pearl App updates just like other apps on your phone, with new features and enhancement delivered automatically.
Dual HD Cameras​ – Advanced dual HD cameras deliver super-wide views of what’s behind your car, and Night Mode provides stunning clarity in low-light situations.
Intelligent Alerts​ – Audible and visual alerts warn you when objects, cars and people are in your path. It includes a range of alerts, from simple ripple at further distances to a firmer warning when an obstacle is close by.
Hands-Free ​- Dock your phone in portrait or landscape on the versatile Pearl Phone Mount. Included as part of the RearVision platform, the Phone Mount will also be sold separately at pearlauto.com.

One of the biggest features pushed by the company is RearVision's ability to "never be outdated," thanks to persistent updates to its smartphone app. Specifically, Pearl stated that by the end of the year the app will gain the addition of back-up path lines, rich notifications on iOS, and app auto launch on Android. With today's shipment announcement, the company said that because "response has been so great" to RearVision, "it could take several weeks to fulfill every order" originally placed over the summer.

In addition to the announcement that RearVision is heading out to pre-order customers, Pearl confirmed that it has partnered with Amazon and Crutchfield so that anyone interested will be able to purchase the RearVision system on either website "this holiday season." Those who would prefer not to wait can purchase RearVision for $499.99 from Pearl's website today, which currently has a 2-3 week shipping estimate for new orders at the time of writing.

Top Rated Comments

thisisnotmyname Avatar
128 months ago
Anything about stopping it from being stolen?
"Pearl claims that RearView "installs in minutes," thanks to a "theft resistant" camera frame for a license plate"

third sentence of the article.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
128 months ago

the app will gain the addition of back-up path lines, rich notifications on iOS...
Ill have to unlock my phone and click on a notification or app icon whilst driving every time I go into reverse with the phone in the dock?
No thanks.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
128 months ago
Much cheaper options exists. Like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/4UCAM-Backup-Camera-iPhone-Android/dp/B00HWB91VY
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
128 months ago
Yeah, that's pretty much useless. You could say that it's theft resistant because it uses screws.
What would you prefer? Velcro?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
doelcm82 Avatar
128 months ago
One of the biggest features pushed by the company is RearView's ability to "never be outdated," thanks to persistent updates to its smartphone app.
If you buy this, your product may indeed "never be outdated".

However, I hope the company has more products in its pipeline. Starting in 2018, all new cars sold in the US must have standard backup cameras. Their potential market will begin to shrink almost immediately.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmh600cbr Avatar
128 months ago
Anything about stopping it from being stolen?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Waze logo

5 New Waze Features Rolling Out Now: Here Are All the Details

Monday July 13, 2026 3:42 am PDT by
Google today announced that Waze is getting a handful of new features, including some Gemini-powered personalization enhancements for Conversational Reporting. Conversational Reporting already uses Gemini when users report traffic incidents like slowdowns, but now you can use it to suggest map updates like road closures or outdated addresses. Saying something like "The road is closed here"...
apple back to school sans airpods 2

Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer is Coming Soon

Sunday July 12, 2026 7:29 am PDT by
Apple's stores will be rolling out Back to School marketing materials this week, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This suggests that the offer will begin in the U.S. in the next few days. Last year, college students and educational staff could receive a free accessory like AirPods 4 or an Apple Pencil Pro with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad model. The Back to School offer is in...
Apple 2026 Back to School Graphic

Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer Just Went Live in Select Countries

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:48 am PDT by
Apple's annual Back to School promotion is now live in select countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The offer provides college students and educational staff with a free item with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad model. The exact offer varies by country, with options including a pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4,...