Recent revelations from Bloomberg suggest that Apple has abandoned its plans for a new pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which were anticipated to complement the company’s Mac lineup. This decision marks a significant pivot in Apple’s strategy following the launch of the Vision Pro, its inaugural mixed reality headset. While the Vision Pro has paved the way for Apple in the AR/VR arena, it appears that for the time being, this sophisticated headset will be the sole focus, leaving enthusiasts wondering what went wrong with the glasses initiative.
Launched in the US last year, the Vision Pro stands as Apple’s flagship entry into the realm of spatial computing, offering users an immersive experience that integrates augmented and virtual reality. With a hefty price tag of $3,499, the Vision Pro is far from a casual investment, suggesting that technical hurdles and market positioning are significant considerations for Apple. This headset is equipped with proprietary processing capabilities, which can create a complex and potentially cumbersome experience for users. While the Vision Pro has succeeded in demonstrating Apple’s technological prowess, it has also exposed the challenges of making AR/VR hardware user-friendly and universally accessible.
Internally, the abandoned AR glasses project bore the code name N107 and was being crafted to mirror the lightweight form factor of traditional eyeglasses. Unlike the Vision Pro, these glasses were envisioned to operate seamlessly with a Mac computer due to challenges integrating them with an iPhone, primarily stemming from CPU and battery limitations. This shift indicates a strategic reliance on existing technology, potentially setting back Apple’s ambitions for standalone AR devices. The decision to cancel was justified by unnamed sources, hinting at an ongoing evaluation of the market landscape and technical feasibility.
While Apple’s retreat from AR glasses development might come as a disappointment, other tech firms are racing ahead with their AR projects. Companies like Snap and Meta are on the brink of unveiling their own versions of AR glasses, highlighting a competitive race in the augmented reality sector. Meta’s forthcoming glasses, tagged Orion, might arrive as early as 2027, suggesting that alternatives to Apple’s Vision Pro could emerge, further diversifying user experiences and interactions in augmented environments.
Looking forward, the abandonment of Apple’s AR glasses raises questions about its commitment to augmented reality as a core segment of its hardware portfolio. While the company is expected to continue developing variations of the Vision Pro, the horizon for integrated AR solutions remains unclear. As Apple tends to keep its future products tightly under wraps, tech enthusiasts and industry observers may find themselves waiting an extended period to glimpse any enhancements or new initiatives in AR from the company.
While the cancellation of Apple’s AR glasses project signals a potential downturn in its immediate augmented reality ambitions, the broader competition in the sector continues to grow. How this will affect Apple’s long-term strategy and the evolution of AR remains a critical topic to watch.