Unfortunate news for those who are drawn to subpar products: Apple will not be releasing augmented reality glasses that necessitate a tethered connection to the Mac. This exclusive update comes from Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, who provides a detailed account of how the product was intended to function. According to his reporting, this initiative faced numerous compromises that ultimately rendered it unappealing.
Apple Glasses continue to be a coveted item among tech fans, yet the Mac-based hardware appeared to be flawed based on the project’s trajectory. Apple was not expected to unveil or ship the hardware until at least 2027.
Here’s what Mark Gurman had to say regarding the project’s cancellation:
Apple Inc. has canceled a project aimed at developing sophisticated augmented reality glasses intended to pair with its devices, marking another setback in its quest to create a headset that resonates with average consumers.
The company terminated the program this week, according to sources familiar with the situation. The now-defunct product would have resembled ordinary glasses but would have included integrated displays and needed a connection to a Mac, as described by those who wished to remain anonymous due to the confidential nature of the project. An Apple representative declined to provide comments.
Consumers are interested in wearing augmented reality smart glasses everywhere, not just while seated at a desk or in front of a laptop. Apple acknowledges this, which is why the project originally attempted to utilize the iPhone for processing, rather than the Mac, but that concept turned out to be unfeasible for Apple.
Nonetheless, Gurman reveals several innovative technologies that Apple aimed to incorporate into the tethered smart glasses.
The N107 device featured advanced projectors capable of displaying information, images, and videos in the field of view for each eye, akin to augmented reality glasses being engineered by Meta and others. Although the project has been halted, Apple is still pursuing foundational technologies that could be applicable to AR glasses in the future, including custom microLED-type screens, as reported this week by Bloomberg News.
The company was also exploring the incorporation of lenses that could alter their tint based on the user’s activities. The concept was to indicate to onlookers whether the wearer was available and approachable or busy with computing tasks.
However, relying on a tethered computer presents too great a challenge for it to achieve widespread success.
Meanwhile, Meta captured attention last year when it unveiled an early prototype of the type of product Apple was working on. Referred to as Orion, Meta’s version costs approximately $10,000 to produce and also necessitates a separate compute device for its features. Meta is optimistic about reducing costs and transforming Orion into an appealing product in the coming years.
While the Mac-connected AR glasses are not being launched, Apple remains confident in the vision, at least as expressed by Tim Cook. Here’s what the Apple CEO shared regarding the potential for AR glasses last month:
Yes, it’s a progression over time with respect to what happens with form factors. AR represents a significant opportunity. With Vision Pro, we’ve advanced to what is clearly the most sophisticated technology we’ve developed, and I believe it’s the most advanced technology globally in terms of electronic challenges. We’ll see how things evolve.
For the full story by Mark Gurman, visit Bloomberg.
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