Apple Glasses Release: Everything We Know About the AR Glasses

No one can launch a new market sector like Apple, and the release of the Apple Glasses may be one of those moments.

Imagine a sleek pair of glasses connecting with your iPhone — an augmented reality experience without needing big, bulky hardware.

While the arrival of the Apple Vision Pro earlier this year dominated our newsfeeds, it will not bring spatial computing — a world without physical screens — to the masses.

Recent innovations like the intriguing Spacetop G1, developed by Sightful, follow the trend by projecting the equivalent of a 100-inch window visible only to the wearer.

But if Apple nails its plan for ‘Holographic Video Sessions,’ we could be ready to blend technology and style in previously unimagined ways.

With Apple Glasses release dates mooted as 2025 or 2026, let’s take a holographic glimpse into the future.

Apple Vision Pro vs Apple Glasses: What’s the Difference?

Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, which serves as a standalone device, the new Apple Smart Glasses are expected to lean heavily on the iPhone, utilizing it as their primary processing hub. This choice allows for a more lightweight and stylish design akin to traditional eyewear and enables deeper integration with Apple’s ecosystem.

Augmented reality is set to be a core feature, offering users real-time overlays and information without the bulk of giant goggles. Additionally, eye-scanning technologies could bring new layers of security and personalization.

Suggestions that Apple has paused work on Vision Pro 2 to focus on a lower-cost model have predictably sent the rumor mill into overdrive.

In his newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that the Vision Pro is arguably a proof of concept aimed at developers rather than a product intended for the general consumer.

This would set the stage for more accessible augmented reality glasses. If this leads to a more appealing and affordable device, Apple’s initial investment in Vision Pro will be a valuable step.

New  Apple Smart Glasses Patent revealed.
US Patent Office: https://t.co/1gdssjt2oy

Source: https://t.co/IodVEn3Bhm
via @PhoneArena | Apple AR Smart Glasses

— Christopher Grayson (@chrisgrayson) June 8, 2024

Expected Apple Glasses Release Date

Estimates for the launch of Apple Glasses span a range of dates, reflecting a mix of optimism and caution from technology analysts. Ming-Chi Kuo points to 2026 as the likely release year, citing the anticipated start of ‘Metalens’ production in 2024 as a critical factor.

Elsewhere, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed in his December 15 newsletter that while work continues, “nothing is coming in the near future.”

The difficulty is balancing a lightweight design without harming the battery life, all at a price point that won’t scare off customers. Gurman suggests three to five years could be needed for Apple to get this approach right. This would put them quite a way behind Meta and other competitors in the AR glasses space.

Apple will want to get smart glasses right the first time, and tricky design challenges and the quest for perfection will impact the speed of availability. Time will tell.

What Will the Apple Glasses Do?

There is an emerging shift towards smaller, discrete, and more stylish tech wearables such as the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the Apple Smart Ring.

With Amazon’s Alexa-powered echo frames and the Insta-friendly Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, big tech is already making big moves toward AI smart glasses. It can only be a matter of time before Apple and Samsung enter the market, but users will expect more than artificial intelligence before they hit the buy now button.

Mainstream adoption will require smart glasses to be stylish rather than clunky and geeky.

Check out the latest upgrades to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses:

1. Now featuring video calling right from your glasses.
2. Stylish new frame options.
3. Enhanced Meta AI with vision, allowing you to interact with and ask questions about what you see.

Truly mindblowing! pic.twitter.com/puE3xxPIFp

— The Artificially Intelligent Enterprise (@theaienterprise) April 23, 2024

Apple Glasses could revolutionize how we interact with digital content by projecting iPhone notifications like texts, emails, and maps directly into the user’s field of vision. A dedicated app store would be crucial in opening up possibilities for third-party apps to bring the concept to life and solve real-world, albeit first-world, problems.

If the glasses, with an automatic AI adjustment feature for those with visual impairments, negate the need for prescription lenses, it could be a big disrupter for opticians. Unfortunately, we suspect this could eventually lead to yet another subscription.

Innovative patents reveal Apple’s push into new realms of AR, including a projection system that beams images straight into the eyes, maintaining clarity and focus, thus reducing common AR discomforts like eye strain.

Other patents explore environmental chroma keying for real-time background changes and enhanced zoom capabilities, akin to a hyper-realistic Google Street View. These patents showcase Apple’s commitment to seamlessly merging digital and physical perceptions.

Want to know what Apple's futuristic Apple Glasses will look like?

I spent a week digging through their patents to find out.

Here are the 10 weirdest and most exciting ones: 🕶️👀👇 pic.twitter.com/xDHhO2vf23

— Vlad (@VladPortall) March 27, 2023

Expected Apple Glass Specs

While the exact specifications for Apple Glasses are currently unknown, a few easy predictions based on existing technologies and Apple’s ambitions in augmented reality are possible.

The Apple Glasses might feature a field of view around 52 degrees and a resolution near 47 pixels per inch, similar to the Hololens 2.

Apple Glasses are expected to connect to an iPhone using a dedicated Wi-Fi connection to manage the high data throughput needed for real-time 3D imagery.

This setup would likely support frame rates of at least 60Hz, ideally reaching 120Hz, to ensure smooth visuals. Regarding battery life, Apple may target at least 3-4 hours of active use, potentially supplemented by a wireless charging solution akin to that used for Apple AirPods to allow usability throughout the day.

Expected Apple Glasses Price

News that Apple has reportedly paused Vision Pro 2 production to work on a lower-cost model is quite telling. For Apple to find its next iPhone moment, the Vision Pro must be a stepping stone that takes the tech giant from a niche product to something affordable and appealing to mainstream audiences.

Google, Amazon, Meta, and Samsung are all on a mission to bring stylish AI smart glasses to the masses. Meta is already promoting the Meta Orion glasses.

The ideal price point to ensure the adoption of Apple VR glasses price would be no more than $799, but the cost of the technology under the hood might suggest a price point closer to $1,500, which would still be more than half the price of the Vision Pro at $3,499.

What Apple Glasses Could Mean for Privacy

A decade ago, Google Glass allowed users to record and photograph anyone discreetly, sparking fears of non-consensual surveillance that ultimately contributed to its downfall. This historical context is vital for current developers, such as Apple, as they navigate the thin line between innovative functionality and user privacy.

As Apple progresses with the development of its smart glasses, learning from past mistakes is essential to avoid turning these advanced devices into tools that erode privacy and distract users. Implementing privacy safeguards, transparent user controls, and clear communication about recording functionalities will be crucial to building trust.

Apple must also ensure that these devices enrich user interactions without leading to permanent distraction. Providing intuitive controls that allow users to easily dictate when the device should and should not record, coupled with strong data protection measures, could set Apple Glasses apart as a privacy-conscious option in the smart eyewear market.

Such steps will be crucial for Apple to innovate while respecting the boundaries of privacy that consumers increasingly demand.

The Bottom Line

As Steve Jobs famously said, you can’t connect the dots looking forward. You can only do it looking backward. While we may still be a couple of years away from Apple Glasses hitting the shelves, it’s easy to see how the Visio Pro will eventually be remembered as an early stepping stone in the creation of Apple Glasses.

Whether AI wearables herald the advent of a new technological revolution or are just a fad remains uncertain. However, the potential for Apple Glass to change our relationship with technology and how we interact with the world around us seems pretty certain. How will these innovations change our everyday lives, and is it enough for you to want to buy a pair?

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