Apple Shifts Focus to Smart Glasses, Pauses Cheaper AR Headset
Apple has shifted its focus in the augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) space, prioritizing smart glasses projects following Meta's success with Ray-Ban glasses. This change comes as Apple struggles to find a mainstream AR/VR product akin to the iPod or iPhone.
Apple is currently working on two sets of smart glasses. The first, codenamed N50, is a display-less model that pairs with the iPhone 15. The second, expected around 2028, will feature a display. Notably, Apple has paused development of a lighter and cheaper version of the Vision Pro, internally dubbed 'Vision Air' or 'N100', initially planned for 2027. Instead, the company is focusing on developing smart AR glasses that connect with the iPhone 16, aiming to compete with Meta's AI-powered smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Ban.
Meta has already launched two smart glasses models in 2022: the screenless Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) and the Meta Ray-Ban Display. Apple's move to reprioritize its smart glasses projects includes transferring employees off the Vision Pro redesign. This shift may indicate potential issues with the development of the cheaper Vision Pro, as its release has been delayed.
Apple's decision to prioritize smart glasses projects signals its belief in the potential of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality markets for the future of consumer tech. The company has shelved its lighter and cheaper Vision Pro headset, instead focusing on developing AR glasses that connect with the iPhone, aiming to compete with Meta's offerings.
