Apple continues to expand its product portfolio. In addition to the iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro, it's now focusing on a new category: smart glasses. New concrete information suggests that Apple is accelerating development and planning a new product for everyday use. Here's what's currently known.
Smart glasses aren't a new topic, but Apple is getting serious. The latest issue of Mark Gurman's Power On newsletter provides important details about the plans. Apple is working on its own smart glasses, codenamed N50. The goal is to meaningfully integrate the latest developments in artificial intelligence into a wearable product. However, they won't be quite as futuristic as true augmented reality glasses.
Apple plans its own smart glasses
According to Mark Gurman, Apple's goal is to bring smart glasses to market that are relatively affordable. The ultimate goal, of course, remains full-fledged augmented reality glasses with integrated displays and virtual content directly into the field of vision. However, that will still be a few years away. In the meantime, Apple is pursuing a similar approach to Meta. Their Ray-Ban smart glasses are already quite popular. They combine cameras, microphones, speakers, and an AI assistant in an unobtrusive frame – but without integrated displays. Apple wants to take exactly this path. The planned glasses are intended to be an Apple Intelligence device. They will analyze the environment and provide you with information. However, they will not offer true augmented reality, but rather simple assistance functions. Technically speaking, the glasses remain closer to a smart extension than a futuristic mixed reality platform.
Data protection plays a major role
It's also interesting to note that Apple intends to exercise particular caution when it comes to data protection. According to Gurman, it's possible that the smart glasses aren't even intended for photography. Apple apparently wants to prevent users from secretly taking photos or videos—an important aspect of making the product socially acceptable (via Bloomberg).
AirPods with cameras are also planned
In addition to the glasses, according to Gurman, Apple is also working on new AirPods. These are said to be equipped with integrated cameras. The idea behind this is to build visual intelligence directly into wearable devices, thus creating new ways of interacting. Here, too, the goal is to recognize the environment and extract useful information from it. Both products—the smart glasses and the new AirPods—are expected to launch in 2027 at the earliest, according to current reports.
Apple's Smart Glasses: Practical instead of overambitious
Apple is taking a clear but cautious approach to smart glasses. Instead of immediately releasing highly complex AR glasses, Apple is focusing on a more realistic, everyday solution. The new glasses will offer intelligent features without overwhelming users or ignoring societal concerns. With a planned launch around 2027, Apple is demonstrating that true innovation sometimes requires a few years of preparation. (Image: Shutterstock / Tero Vesalainen)
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