Renowned Apple leaker Jon Prosser unloaded a shedload of information Tuesday about Apple’s rumored augmented reality glasses, which he claims will be called Apple Glass. In a packed new video, Prosser says Apple plans to show off the AR specs as a “one more thing” reveal at a keynote as soon as late 2020.
The glasses will cost $499 (plus prescription if needed), will display info on the inside of both lenses, and will operate via gesture controls, Prosser says. He also claims to have seen a prototype of the long-rumored device.
In the video, which you can watch below, Prosser says Apple Glass will carry out data processing on the iPhone. That would make the glasses more of an iPhone accessory than a standalone product. Of course, that could change in the future — as was the case with the Apple Watch’s transition from iPhone accessory to device in its own right.
Prosser says the Apple Glass prototype he saw was made of plastic, with a LiDAR sensor over the right temple but no built-in camera. That makes perfect sense given Apple’s approach to privacy (and should put the kibosh on the Google Glasshole effect).
He says the Apple Glass team is currently making use of data gathered using the LiDAR Scanner built into the iPad Pro.
Apple Glass … but no sunglasses?
Prosser notes that Apple is reportedly struggling to get the Apple Glass technology to work on tinted lenses. This likely means no Apple sunglasses in the first iteration, although Cupertino could well solve this problem eventually.
Apple Glass supposedly will run a UI called Starboard that relies on gestures either on the glasses or in front of them. Apple has long been working on air-based gestures, as seen in the company’s numerous patents over the years. The glasses will be able to analyze Apple’s rumored proprietary QR codes. The specs reportedly will come with a wireless charging stand, too.
While Apple could unveil Apple Glass by the end of this year, don’t expect to get them onto your head any time soon. Prosser thinks they will not become available for the public to buy until Q4 2021 or Q1 2022. That translates into a yearlong wait (at least) between the device’s debut and when it ships to customers.
