Apple Glass, Apple View or iGlass. Whatever you call it, it is certain that Apple has been working on smart glasses for years behind the scenes. That is why we look ahead in this piece. These are our expectations for the Apple Glass.
Apple Glass expectations
The first patents around Apple Glass have been around for years, but so far the company has not released any glasses. However, it is almost certain that there is a lot of work on the back. The smart glasses regularly pop up in leaked information and rumors. That is why we consider our Apple Glass expectations.
1. Timeline: Apple sees profit in spectacles
Apple sees bread in glasses, the rumors claim. The company seems to have no fewer than three new products in store: glasses with augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), glasses with only AR and smart contact lenses.
Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known name in the world of Apple rumors, thinks the company will stick to the following timeline:
- First Apple Glass with AR and VR, looks like competing headsets
- Second Apple Glass with AR only, looks like your average pair of glasses
- Smart contact lenses from Apple
If this rumor is correct, there will be several Apple Glasses on the way. Perhaps the company is using this umbrella name for a new category, just like there are multiple iPhone models.
2. Functions: what can you do with them?
The first smart Apple glasses therefore seem to be focusing on augmented reality and virtual reality. The former uses the ‘real’ world to add something digital to it. VR, on the other hand, takes you into a completely digital world.
A good example of AR is therefore the IKEA app. With this app you can point your camera at your living room and then place virtual furniture in it. This is handy, because that way you can quickly and easily check whether that table, chair or corner sofa fits into your interior.
VR takes a slightly different approach. The gaming industry in particular makes good use of the possibilities that VR offers. A horror game becomes much more intense the moment you wear VR glasses and it seems like you are actually walking around in that creepy world.
The Apple Glass will probably become less intense. We expect that the glasses will mainly focus on the provision of information. For example, you can see in the corner of your eye what time it is, which emails you have received and Apple Maps tells you whether you should turn left or right afterwards. By that time, VR games will probably also be released that are specially made for Apple glasses.
3. Weight: as light as a feather
Kuo, quoted earlier, claims that the first Apple Glass will be very light. Where competitors easily weigh between 300 and 400 grams, Apple’s smart glasses would barely reach 150 grams.
This is a big boost, if the rumor is correct. The current AR / VR glasses are a bit heavier and therefore it is tiring to wear them for a longer period of time.
So why does Apple succeed in making light, smart glasses? Probably because it essentially becomes nothing more than an accessory for your iPhone or iPad. We think that the Apple Glass outsources all the heavy computing power to your other linked Apple products. There is therefore no need for a heavy processor in the headset.
However, the glasses would get their own software: glassOS. This system is based on iOS, but a lot more compact. That works out well, because you obviously have a lot less space on glasses. glassOS seems to be able to work with widgets, get a picture-in-picture mode and display notifications.
4. Familiar design for new glasses
The design of the Apple Glass has been leaked through The Information. The news website claims that the product looks about the same as competing headsets. With a little creativity you can see ski goggles in it.
According to The Information, the first Apple Glass consists of a single piece of glass with a headband. You can adjust it to size, so that it fits just right around your head. The glass consists of a solid whole so that you do not see any interruptions in your field of vision.
Patents show that the Apple headset will have a special way of operating. You have to move your hands in front of the cameras. You show an incoming notification the door by swiping away.
The Apple Glass that should be released in 2025 would look like regular glasses. He seems to get a frame with two glasses. Nothing is yet known about the further design.
5. Release date of Apple Glass
When the smart Apple glasses come out is another big question mark. Apple insider Kuo thinks he will be released next year.
Mark Gurman, another well-known name on the circuit, believes that Apple is already releasing the glasses this year. In fact, the headset would be announced at an event in mid-2021. Because it is such an innovative product, Apple would allow some press, says Gurman.
→ Read more: ‘Apple to announce AR / VR headset in mid-2021 during physical event’
6. Apple Glass expectations: price
Apple Glass is not going to be cheap. Exact suggested retail prices have not yet been announced, but the AR / VR headset, due to be released in 2021 or 2022, is rumored to cost around $ 1,000. That is a considerable amount, but it is not much more than you currently pay for an iPhone 12.
The second Apple Glass, which should look like futuristic glasses, would start at $ 499. However, that is only half the story, because then the glasses are added. If you want it on prescription, you must of course draw the wallet.
No concrete rumor has yet appeared about the suggested retail price of Apple contact lenses.
More about augmented and virtual reality
Throughout April, your favorite Apple website will be all about augmented reality and virtual reality. iPhone writes this month about the possibilities of AR and VR and what the exact differences are. Since Apple does not yet have AR / VR glasses, we also look at the best competitors from other manufacturers.
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Apple Glass: 6 expectations for Apple’s first smart glasses
(Apr 6)