Apple Abandons Ambitious AR Glasses Project
According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has officially halted its development of augmented reality (AR) glasses, once envisioned to rival Meta’s upcoming offerings. Initial aspirations for the AR glasses included seamless connectivity with Apple’s ecosystem of devices, but internal challenges have led to a significant shift in strategy.
Project Overview: The Canceled AR Glasses
Referred to as N107, the AR glasses were designed to mimic traditional eyewear while integrating advanced displays for enhanced interaction with the augmented reality environment. A notable feature intended for these glasses was a direct link to the iPhone, allowing users to leverage their smartphones’ capabilities. However, early concerns over the iPhone’s processing power and battery life raised doubts about the feasibility of this connection, complicating the production process.
Design Challenges and Performance Issues
In an effort to address these limitations, Apple explored the possibility of connecting the smart glasses to a Mac, which boasts superior processing power and battery capacity. Unfortunately, initial testing revealed that the performance was lackluster, prompting further redesigns and revisions to the feature set. Ultimately, these ongoing challenges contributed to Apple’s decision to abandon the project altogether.
Market Implications for AR Technology
Apple’s withdrawal from the AR glasses market may significantly affect competitive dynamics. Meta currently leads this space and could consolidate its market position with the future release of its smart glasses, which already have the benefit of a popular partnership with Ray-Ban. Additionally, Meta is gearing up for the introduction of new models by 2027.
Context of Apple’s Previous Cancellations
This cancellation adds to a growing list of shelved projects at Apple, which has previously scrapped initiatives such as its self-driving car program and plans for in-house custom Apple Watch screens. Analysts speculate that the lackluster performance of the Vision Pro headset may have played a role in this most recent decision, as consumer interest has been muted, likely due to its high price and cumbersome design.
For further details, you can read the original article on Bloomberg.
Explore more on this topic at Neowin.
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