In a surprising move, Apple has reportedly cancelled the development of its much-anticipated AR glasses. According to a report by Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple insider, the company decided to shut down the project this week. The AR glasses were intended to pair with Macs, unlike the standalone Vision Pro headset, and were designed to look like regular glasses with built-in projectors for displaying information, images, and video directly in the user’s field of view.
Features and Challenges of the AR Glasses
The AR glasses were expected to include innovative features such as lenses that could change their tint based on the user’s activity, similar to a status setting in a chat app. This project was seen as a potential way forward for Apple, especially following the Vision Pro’s underwhelming sales performance. The glasses were aimed at being more accessible to everyday users compared to the Vision Pro, which is positioned as a premium product.
However, the development faced significant challenges. Apple struggled to find the right technology to incorporate into the glasses at a feasible cost. The initial plan to pair the glasses with an iPhone was abandoned due to insufficient processing power and rapid battery drain. The shift to pairing with Macs also did not yield satisfactory results. This is because the product reportedly performed poorly during internal reviews with executives, and the desired features kept evolving.
Impact on the AR Market
With the end of its AR glasses plan, Apple steps away from a direct rivalry with Meta. Meta has already sold over one million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses. The company is also set to launch an AR version by 2027. This year could have been a key moment for AR gear with both firms in the mix. However, Apple’s move gives Meta more room to grow.
Final Words
Apple’s call to drop its AR glasses plan shows the tough task of making AR tech ready for users. Apple is still pushing new ideas with products like the Vision Pro. However, the end of its AR glasses points to the hard balance of high-end features, ease of use, and cost. As the AR field grows, Apple’s absence in the smart glasses space may help rivals like Meta. Nevertheless, this also leaves the door open for Apple to bring fresh ideas later.
