Apple's augmented reality (AR) smart glasses have long been a hot topic in the tech world. Although there has been no official release news yet, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently revealed in his "Power On" newsletter that Apple's AR glasses are still in development and are at least 3 to 5 years away from a formal launch.
While Apple's Apple Vision Pro has already been unveiled and shares many similarities with potential AR glasses, its relatively bulky design has raised questions about Apple's future AR glasses. To transform AR glasses into a wearable consumer product, Apple needs to address several technical challenges, including miniaturizing computing components, creating a stylish design, ensuring long battery life for extended use, and developing high-resolution displays that do not compromise the visual experience.
According to Gurman, Apple may successfully implement these features in its expensive glasses, but launching a product suitable for mass consumers without compromising on price and user experience remains a significant challenge.
Currently, companies like Meta and Snapchat have showcased prototype augmented reality glasses, but these products have not yet become true consumer-grade items. For example, Meta's AR glasses are still in the prototype stage, and Snapchat's glasses are limited to developer use. In contrast, Apple may have a unique advantage in launching AR glasses due to its robust hardware and software ecosystem, but it still faces multiple challenges in technology and the market.
Although Apple is not yet ready to release AR glasses, it continues to push forward with its research and development efforts. Gurman mentioned in his article that while he personally tried Snapchat's AR glasses and found the experience impressive, there were still some drawbacks, such as limited field of view. For Apple, balancing innovation with user experience and overcoming technical bottlenecks will be crucial tasks in the coming years.
