Prime Highlights:
Apple is working on smart glasses featuring visionOS, the software from its Vision Pro headset, with two models: one with AR optics and one without an advanced display.
Apple has initiated “Atlas,” a feedback program to help define features and capabilities for the smart glasses.
Apple is preparing a competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have gained popularity with new features, including AI integration.
Key Background:
Apple is actively exploring new wearable technology, including the development of smart glasses equipped with visionOS, the software originally designed for its Vision Pro headset. While Apple’s initial foray into the AR/VR market with the Vision Pro headset faced criticism for its bulky design and high price, the company remains committed to advancing in this field and is now working on multiple smart glasses models.
As per reports that Apple is developing two distinct categories of smart glasses: one with advanced augmented reality (AR) optics and another without a sophisticated display. The company is already adapting visionOS to run on these new glasses, a key element that may differentiate them from competitors. Apple has also launched an internal program called “Atlas,” which gathers feedback from employees to help shape the features and capabilities of the smart glasses.
Despite being a late entrant to the smart glasses market, Apple is not only focused on AR devices but is also preparing to rival Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Meta’s glasses, which are equipped with cameras and designed for social media sharing and basic tasks like calls and music control, have gained traction with new features, including integration with Meta’s AI stack. Apple’s smart glasses, by contrast, could introduce even more advanced AI-driven features, drawing on its existing technologies like Visual Intelligence, powered by OpenAI’s GPT ecosystem.
Although Meta and other companies, including Google, are already pushing the boundaries of smart glasses, Apple appears to be taking a more measured approach to ensure that its entry into this space stands out. While it is uncertain when Apple will release its smart glasses, the company’s focus on refining both hardware and software before launch suggests a well-considered product aimed at capturing consumer interest in this evolving market. This strategic development indicates that Apple intends to make a significant impact in the wearable tech industry in the near future, particularly as the competition intensifies.
