Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reports that Apple intends to outdo rivals in the smartglasses space by tightly integrating the device with the iPhone and delivering a more premium overall build. Unlike Meta, which depends significantly on partner EssilorLuxottica SA for its frames, Apple is expected to design the glasses independently.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
Apple is currently developing its own version [of smart glasses without a display, like Meta’s camera-equipped Ray-Bans], internally code-named N50. The idea is to unveil the product at the end of 2026 or early the following year, with the actual release coming in 2027…
According to employees working on the project, Apple’s strategy is to outdo competitors by tightly integrating the glasses with the iPhone and offering a higher-end build. While Meta relies heavily on partner EssilorLuxottica SA for frames, Apple is unsurprisingly planning to go at it alone in terms of design…
Apple’s design team has whipped up at least four different styles and plans to launch some or all of them, I’m told, as well as many color options. The latest units are made from a high-end material called acetate, which is known to be more durable and luxurious than the standard plastic used by many brands.
Here are the designs in testing:
• A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook
• Larger oval or circular frames
• A smaller, more refined oval or circular optionApple is exploring a range of finishes, including black, ocean blue and light brown. As with AirPods and the Apple Watch, the goal is to create a design that is instantly recognizable. Apple refers to this as the “icon” internally. One notable detail under consideration is the camera system: vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding lights, a departure from the circular design seen in Meta’s products.
MacDailyNews Take: As Apple Watch is the smartwatches, “Apple Glasses” will be to smartglasses.
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