“According to Bloomberg, Apple is seriously exploring the idea of developing a pair of smart glasses that can present users with pertinent information via a connected iPhone,” Yoni Heisler writes for BGR. “Apple researches new products and technologies all the time, and it’s no secret that many early-stage Apple research projects don’t often result in a shipping product; remember when Apple was supposedly going to release a car by 2019? Nonetheless, I find this particular rumor about Apple smart glasses to be much more plausible than most rumors regarding Apple’s varied R&D initiatives.”
“For starters, societal acceptance of wearing electronic devices on one’s head has shifted, as evidenced by the growing number of VR headsets and the recent release of Snap Inc’s Spectacles,” Heisler writes. “Two, developing a pair of smart glasses is more within Apple’s area of expertise than, say, developing a car. And three, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been rather vocal about augmented reality being an area of technology worth exploration.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple Specs®. Smart glasses done right.
This is obviously something Apple has been exploring for quite some time.
SEE ALSO:
Apple considers move into smart glasses – November 14, 2016
Apple granted another Augmented Reality head-mounted display patent – November 10, 2016
Snapchat introduces ‘Spectacles’ eyewear that record video – September 26, 2016
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple will have a 3-5 year lead in augmented reality; use as part of an autonomous driving system – November 2, 2016
Apple CEO Tim Cook: ‘We are high on Augmented Reality for the long run’ – October 14, 2016
iPhone 7 Plus is the starting point of Apple’s major push into augmented reality – September 28, 2016
iPhone 7 Plus proves Apple is gearing up for augmented reality – September 27, 2016
What iPhone 7 says about Apple’s future augmented reality plans – September 19, 2016
Apple needs to forget chasing Snapchat and go after the Augmented Reality industry – August 25, 2016
Tim Cook publicly confirms Apple has augmented reality plans – July 27, 2016
Apple acquires Flyby Media; assembles large team of virtual and augmented reality experts – January 29, 2016
Apple hires leading virtual reality researcher – January 22, 2016
Apple is building a virtual reality supply chain with disruptive potential, new research shows – November 19, 2015
Analyst: Apple team exploring virtual reality/augmented reality – August 31, 2015
Apple exploring a new reality with purchase of Metaio – June 3, 2015
Apple patents perforated augmented reality display that you can see and hear through – May 29, 2015
Apple acquires augmented reality company Metaio – May 28, 2015
New Apple haptics patent application reveals diamond-layered trackpad that simulates wood, other textures – April 23, 2015
Apple granted U.S. patent for hybrid VR head-mounted display – February 18, 2015
Apple is working on VR user interfaces and gaming; looking for Oculus and Leap experts – February 10, 2015
Apple granted patent for display-based speakers for iOS devices – January 13, 2015
Apple granted a patent for devices with a transparent display – November 18, 2014
Apple’s new iPhones, iPads could feature haptic displays – June 30, 2014
Apple patent application reveals personal display headset invention – May 8, 2014
Apple patent application reveals wildly intelligent multi-tiered haptics system – May 3, 2012
Apple continues to tweak Apple TV video headset accessory – April 10, 2014
Apple patent application reveals sapphire flexible transparent display devices created with Liquidmetal – December 19, 2013
Apple granted knockout patent for head-mounted personal display – December 10, 2013
Powerful new patent application details next step in Apple ‘iGlasses’ project – December 7, 2012
iGlasses: Apple granted patent for head-mounted augmented reality displays – July 5, 2012
Whilst Glassholes spring to mind, I’m sure Apple will do it right – in their own time.
Similar concerns may apply, depending on what functions Apple includes in the specs – audio and video recording, for instance.
But I think that the concept has merit. Basically, package some of the guts of the Apple Watch into the specs. Switch from the OLED display to some type of laser projection system. Maintain connection to the iPhone (for the near term, at least) for connectivity and heavy processing to keep bulk and weight down. Over time, continued miniaturization will enable the Apple Watch, specs, and other wearables to function more autonomously.
Did I miss Snap Inc’s Spectacles becoming a wildly popular product? Citing that as an example of glasses technology becoming more common/popular is ridiculous. VR headsets are gaining in popularity, but people aren’t wandering the streets in them.
1. The Snapchat Spectacles look almost as ridiculous as Google Glass. The large camera circle and other circle area is unappealing. It looks clown goofy.
2. They are not sold in many places.
3. Snapchat users like to film themselves once in awhile. Doing that is difficult with glasses on the face.
4. They are not AR glasses
MDN seems to agree that Google Glass is a nonstarter, and seems to be coming around on the fact that Apple has recently been chasing competitors’ features & products (recent iPhones/iOS), and can’t deny that Apple’s consumer products have not been best-in-class lately (Apple TV, Maps, iTunes, Apple Music, USB-C nuclear option)
Why so optimistic on Apple chasing a Google product that nobody wanted and nobody has ever shown to be usable in any format?
Also, “Wearable eyewear”? Isn’t that redundant and completely absent any AR branding?
Or is MDN suggesting Apple will just make eyeglasses and sunglasses and never mind the bollocks?
I’m not optimistic about such a product. I don’t need that kind off technology hanging off my face, especially if identifiably geekwear. I reserve judgment but Google Glass was a terrible implementation & idea and while the technology could be a lot better some of the fundamental objections probably still apply. Good luck.