News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 16th December 2024
For the past several years, there have been various stories and conjecture stating that Apple is working on making lightweight, practical smart glasses, sometimes known as “Apple AR smart glasses.” However, Apple has provided no clarification. If a recent story is to be believed, we may have to wait a little longer to see Apple’s smart glasses in action.According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is experiencing severe technical and design hurdles in the development of Apple smart Glasses, which is further delaying the product’s release. Gurman estimates that the launch might be delayed by three to five years.
In his latest “Power On” newsletter, Gurman responded to a question by revealing that, while the recently unveiled Apple Vision Pro headset marked Apple’s first major step into augmented and virtual reality, developing sleek, functional, and affordable smart glasses is proving far more difficult. He indicated that, while Apple is still working on augmented reality smart glasses, no commercial launch is planned very near. Gurman noted that Apple is dealing with a “difficult formula” that requires the resolution of several design and technological challenges.
According to Gurman, the most difficult task is creating a lightweight design that incorporates all of the capability of the Apple Vision Pro headset into a frame that is as thin and comfortable as ordinary spectacles. The smart glasses will require powerful, energy-efficient technology, sophisticated AR displays, and a long battery life—all while remaining affordable to customers.”Nothing is coming in the near future,” Gurman said, noting that the technology needed for Apple Glass is still being developed. He stated that Apple is taking its time to solve these issues rather than rushing to launch with an incomplete product.
Currently, Apple’s first significant AR/VR product, the Vision Pro headset, is expected to ship in 2024. However, its massive appearance and high $3,499 price make it a niche product. The gadget is yet to be released in many countries. Apple’s ultimate goal is to create a more sophisticated and globally accessible product, such as Apple smart glass. Gurman observes that, unlike the Vision Pro, which is intended for immersive AR/VR experiences, Apple Glass is said to focus primarily on augmented reality. This would include superimposing digital information, such as navigation instructions or notifications, over the actual environment via a transparent display. To do this, Apple must create microdisplays that are both tiny and capable of producing high-quality graphics.
Another significant difficulty is battery technology. Given that Apple smart glasses would need to be slim, miniaturizing batteries to fit into the spectacles’ thin arms while providing many hours of operation is a big challenge. Apple is also working to improve power efficiency, as larger batteries would jeopardize the lightweight and slim design required for user comfort. Notably, in October, Apple began an internal program known as “Project Atlas” to obtain employee opinion on the present market for smart eyewear. Additional focus groups are planned to be conducted as part of the initiative to improve Apple’s vision for AR glasses.
