Apple is reportedly considering the development of smart glasses, an area in which its rivals have made some progress over the past few months. According to a report from Bloomberg, the company is studying existing smart glasses internally, and collecting feedback from employees who are part of the project. The iPhone maker is reportedly looking to create a product that’s easier to wear than its bulky (and expensive) Apple Vision Pro headset, which launched in the US and other markets earlier this year.
Apple’s ‘Atlas’ initiative to study smart glasses
Apple is considering entering smart glasses with a new initiative called ‘Atlas’, a Bloomberg report said citing sources familiar with the company’s plans. Like other Apple studies, this will involve the firm’s employees providing feedback on smart glasses available to consumers. Apple reportedly contacted some employees to gather information about these products.
Apple’s first wearable headset is the Vision Pro, which is heavy and must be connected to an external battery pack. It is significantly more expensive than other mixed reality headsets. It comes with a price tag of $3,499 (roughly Rs. 2.95 lakh), which is significantly higher than its rival Meta Quest 3, which starts at $499.99 (roughly Rs. 42,000).
Meanwhile, rivals Snap and Meta unveiled their next-generation smart glasses earlier this year. Meta’s smart glasses initiative is named Project Orion and is expected to introduce a more advanced version of the Meta Ray Ban smart glasses with support for viewing information on the display. Snapchat also showed off a prototype of its next-generation Spectacles with support for AR features.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is looking to include technology in its smart glasses that is inspired by its AirPods true wireless stereo headset. The publication says this approach could allow the device to last longer on a single charge.
Although there has been no word from Apple on whether it plans to launch a new wearable device, its rivals have made significant progress with their own products. That said, it’s unlikely that Meta’s ‘Orion’ and Snap Spectacular smart glasses will be sold to customers in the coming months, giving Apple some time. Develop your own AR glasses.
