Over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of reports and speculation that Apple is working on lightweight and practical smart glasses (also known as “Apple AR smart glasses”). However, there is no explanation from Apple. Now, if a new report is to be believed, we may have to wait a little longer to witness Apple’s smart glasses in action.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is facing significant technical and design challenges in developing Apple smart glasses, which are further delaying the product’s launch. In fact, Garman suggested the launch could be delayed by at least three to five years.
In the latest “Power On” newsletter, Garman answered questions and said the recently announced Apple Vision Pro headset was Apple’s first big step into augmented reality and virtual reality, but it’s sleek and functional. The development of affordable smart glasses makes it much more complex. He said that Apple continues to work on developing augmented reality smart glasses, but there are no plans to launch the products anytime soon. Garman explained that Apple is working on a “difficult equation” that involves solving multiple design and technical hurdles.
Garman said the biggest challenge is creating a lightweight design that integrates all of the Apple Vision Pro headset’s features into a frame that’s as thin and comfortable as regular glasses. Smart glasses require powerful, energy-efficient hardware, advanced displays for AR, and sufficient battery life while maintaining an attractive price point for consumers.
“It’s not like anything is going to happen in the near future,” Garman said, emphasizing that the technology needed for Apple Glass is still being developed. He pointed out that Apple is taking its time to address these challenges rather than rushing to market with unfinished products.
Now, the Vision Pro headset, due out in 2024, will be Apple’s first major product in AR/VR. However, its bulky design and premium price tag of $3,499 make it a niche product. This device is not yet available in many countries. But Apple’s ultimate vision is a more sophisticated and universally accessible device, like Apple Smart Glasses.
Garman points out that unlike Vision Pro, which is designed for immersive AR/VR experiences, Apple Glass is rumored to focus solely on augmented reality. This involves overlaying digital information, such as navigation instructions and notifications, onto the real world through a transparent display. To achieve this, Apple needs to develop a microdisplay that is compact yet capable of displaying high-quality visuals.
Another big challenge is battery technology. Given the need for Apple’s smart glasses to be sophisticated, making the battery small enough to fit within the glasses’ slender arms while ensuring several hours of operation is a major hurdle. Apple is also focused on improving power efficiency, as larger batteries compromise the lightweight, sleek design that’s essential to user comfort.
Specifically, Apple launched an internal initiative in October called “Project Atlas” to collect employee feedback on smart glasses currently available on the market. The project is expected to involve further focus groups to refine Apple’s vision for AR glasses.
