Report: visionOS for smart glasses in preparation
The prototypes of "real" XR glasses shown by Meta and other companies are apparently getting Apple's team going: visionOS could be coming for the form factor.
Apple logo on colorful glasses: The Vision Pro is too heavy and too complex. But when will there be real glasses?
(Image: Generiert mit Midjourney durch Mac & i)
Apple is working on a version of visionOS that is specifically designed for “real” extended reality (XR) glasses. This was reported by the financial news agency Bloomberg. The form factor is considered more suitable for a mass market than the typical virtual and augmented reality headsets that Apple itself offers in the form of the Vision Pro. Meta showed what such a device could look like last year with its “Project Orion” prototype. The system resembles regular glasses with slightly thicker edges and is much easier to put on than the Quest 3 from Apple or the Vision Pro.
Problems with the current form factor
Internally, Apple has been trying to move away from the headset form factor for years. However, the company has encountered the same problems as Meta and other competitors: In high resolution and with good processing power, such hardware costs a lot of money. The Orion prototypes are handmade and cost more than 10,000 dollars without mass production. Apple also sells the Vision Pro from 4000 euros, but even the iPhone company is unlikely to charge such prices.
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Although the Vision Pro has extremely sharp displays and almost magical operation using eye tracking and hands, it is annoying because the headset itself is very heavy and requires a battery to be attached via a cable and carried around. In practice, this means that you always have to take some time to use the headset – It is not a quick grab for a MacBook or iPhone. This would be completely different with glasses, especially as you could also wear them in everyday life.
Apple is continuing its research, but still needs time
According to Bloomberg, Apple is also said to be interested in other types of glasses, including those without a screen but with AI voice control. According to Meta, these should sell well in the form of Ray-Ban glasses.
According to the report, Apple is continuing to work on improved augmented reality screens in a secret workshop in Santa Clara. It should also be possible to produce and test prototypes directly on site. However, real Apple glasses will take at least another three or more years, the report continued. Until then, Apple wants to bring further versions of the Vision Pro onto the market, which will finally be cheaper and hopefully less clunky to use.
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