Apple’s Smart Glasses Are on the Way, But Don’t Expect Them Too Soon: Gurman

Highlights

• Apple is working on AI-powered smart glasses that will analyse the environment and provide information to the wearer.
• It will possibly include cameras, microphones and speakers, though Apple is still deciding whether to include cameras due to privacy concerns.
• Expected release around 2027 alongside a new version of AirPods featuring built-in cameras.

Caption – Apple is still working on smart glasses. (Image credit – PhoneArena)

Apple’s smart glasses are getting closer to becoming a reality, according to a new report.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that Apple is still working on its own pair of smart glasses. The product, which is currently codenamed N50, will combine some of the company’s AI developments into a pair of glasses that, hopefully, won’t be too expensive.

We have previously reported on how Apple’s big dream is to build industry-leading augmented reality glasses. But that’s still a few years away from being something regular consumers can actually buy.

Reports suggest Apple is aiming to make a simpler pair of smart glasses, which will be something more like what Meta has done with its Ray-Ban collaboration. Meta’s smart glasses have gotten pretty popular, packing in a bunch of tech into a fairly normal-looking pair of glasses. They include cameras, microphones, speakers for listening to audio and even an AI assistant, but interestingly, no displays yet.

Apple’s idea is pretty similar. Gurman writes, “This device isn’t close to being ready yet, but the idea is to turn glasses into an Apple Intelligence device. The product will analyze the surrounding environment and feed information to the wearer, though it will stop well short of true augmented reality.”

One thing still up in the air is whether the Apple glasses will be able to take photos. In the past, Gurman has pointed out that Apple might avoid adding cameras because of privacy concerns but that decision hasn’t been finalised yet.

Gurman also mentioned again that Apple is working on a new version of AirPods with cameras built in. Those would also help push the company’s Visual Intelligence technology into new kinds of devices.

If everything goes according to plan, both the smart glasses and the camera-equipped AirPods will likely hit the market around 2027.

FAQs

Q1. Is Apple working on smart glasses, and what features will they have?

Answer. Yes, Apple is developing AI-powered smart glasses (codenamed N50) that will analyse the environment and provide information to the wearer. However, they will not offer full augmented reality capabilities.

Q2. How will Apple’s smart glasses compare to Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration?

Answer. Apple’s glasses are expected to be similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, featuring microphones, speakers, and possibly cameras. However, Apple has yet to decide whether to include cameras due to privacy concerns.

Q3. When will Apple’s smart glasses be released?

Answer. If everything goes according to plan, Apple’s smart glasses and a new version of AirPods with built-in cameras will likely launch around 2027.

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