Apple smart glasses may come in multiple designs. AI image: ChatGPT
Apple’s sleek, simple smart glasses without a display, internally dubbed “N50”, reportedly will launch in 2027. The company is testing four designs for the wearable, in multiple finishes.
The smart glasses supposedly will integrate tightly with the iPhone and Siri to offer an experience like no other.
Apple smart glasses will surely be more stylish than this concept. AI concept: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Apple wants to release its first entry in the emerging smart glasses category in 2026, according to information leaking out of the company Thursday. That’s a more aggressive launch window than previously rumored.
The AI-powered device reportedly will be able to handle many of the tasks people turn to an iPhone for now, and compete with the popular Ray-Ban Meta Glasses.
Apple needs smart glasses or it risks getting left behind. Concept: Taeyeon Kim
It’s time for Apple to get into smart glasses. This is an emerging product category that combines AI, cameras and audio… three components that the iPhone-maker is either already expert at or is working hard to improve.
Apple Glasses could be critical for the company long term because it would be an important step toward someday making the Vision Pro AR headset into a viable product.
Don't expect 'Apple Glass' AR glasses before 2026. Image: Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech
Apple’s wear-anywhere augmented-reality glasses that so many people are looking forward are still at least three years away, according to a reliable source.
Don’t confuse these with the bulkier VR/AR headset that leaks say will launch in June. AR glasses are expected to be much smaller… once the necessary technology is available.
Don’t keep glancing at your phone — realityOS puts the directions in front of you. Concept: The Hacker 34
Anyone wondering why they’d want Apple’s much-rumored augmented-reality glasses should watch a new concept video. Rather than focusing on hardware, the concept explores daily use of realityOS, the operating system Apple is apparently creating for its AR glasses.
Watch it now to see what it might be like to wear Apple’s Next Big Thing.
Wow, glasses that self adjust so whatever you’re looking at is in focus. Illustration: Apple
Apple is preparing for a future where you put on a pair of glasses and they automatically adjust themselves to your eyes. It received a patent on Tuesday for a system to handle this process. Self-adjusting lenses are likely intended for the augmented-reality glasses that Apple is rumored to be working on.
This could be the end of trips to the eye doctor to get a lens prescription. The glasses will take care it.
Tim Cook wants to stick around for one more big Apple product hitting the market. Photo: Apple
Tim Cook has been Apple CEO for 10 years and he’s considering his exit strategy. But it won’t be soon because the executive will wait until the launch of “one more major new product category,” according to a new report.
Designer Antonio De Rosa's concept for Apple Glass is complete. Photo: Antonio De Rosa
Designer Antonio De Rosa has released another set of conceptual renderings for a possible Apple product. This time he’s picturing a retro-cool take on the much-anticipated Apple Glass augmented reality eyeglasses many expect to see come out this year.
Apple AR glasses will turbocharge fitness. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
If you think Apple Watch makes workouts fun and efficient, wait till Apple’s mixed-reality glasses land on your face. Graham Bower outlines how and why augmented reality will take fitness to the next level in Cult of Mac Magazine‘s cover story this week. It all sounds quite incredible — and yet also quite possible.
Also this week, we’ve got plenty of fresh Apple rumors, plus a trove of tantalizing tidbits gleaned from insider emails that came to light during the Epic Games v. Apple trial that’s currently unfolding.
And if you haven’t watched Mythic Quest or The Mosquito Coast yet, it’s time to start streaming. It looks like Apple TV+ has a couple more winners on its hands.
Apple AR glasses are reportedly holding in the prototype stage. Illustration: Apple
Apple’s much-rumored AR glasses reportedly suffered a setback and might not be out as soon thought. The wearable augmented-reality accessory could have gone into production in the first quarter of 2022, but that’s now supposedly unlikely.
Apple will eventually release augmented reality contact lenses, according to a trusted analyst. Photo: Skitterphoto/Pexels CC/Cult of Mac
A respected Apple analyst just made a startling prediction about mixed reality/augmented reality: “We believe that MR/AR products could replace all display-equipped electronics in the long term,” wrote Ming-Chi Kuo in a note sent to investors Sunday.
Kuo said he expects Apple to play a big part in taking these emerging technologies mainstream. And he sees Cupertino making augmented reality contact lenses eventually, and a variety of AR products before then.
There’s no need to carry around extra screens for your MacBook if you have augmented reality. Screenshot: Dominick Hofacker
Apple’s upcoming augmented-reality glasses could make additional MacBook screens unnecessary. An AR concept video shows how virtual displays could appear next to real ones, making the user more productive without having to carry around all that hardware.
An illustration from a recent Apple patent filing shows a possible VR headset. Graphic: Apple
Dan Riccio, one of Apple’s top designers, is reportedly now concentrating all his efforts on the company’s virtual-reality visor and augmented-reality glasses.
Previously, he headed Apple’s hardware engineering team. Then Cupertino revealed in January that Riccio was transitioning to a new role. But it wouldn’t say what that role will be.
That roar you hear is the Apple car rumors redlining. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
After years of low idling, the Apple car rumors are really revving up. Possible deals with Kia and other automakers … whispers about secret supply-chain maneuvers … even a surprising claim that Cupertino’s first cars “will not be designed to have a driver.”
That’s the kind of Apple car news you’ll find in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine.
You’ll also get more potential revelations about that other top-secret Apple endeavor — building a headset. Whether that will be a $3,000 niche VR model or something a little more down to earth remains to be seen.
And if that’s not enough good Apple news for one week, Snoopy is back for new adventures on Apple TV+. We’ve got reviews of The Snoopy Show as well as the latest episodes of Dickinson and Losing Alice.
Apple's first headset could be around the same size as Oculus Quest. Photo: Oculus
Don’t expect too much from Apple’s first virtual reality headset. A new report warns that Cupertino’s first stab at a wearable VR system, which could come in 2022, will be expensive with a limited set of capabilities.
The device is believed to be designed primarily as a “niche precursor” to more ambitious AR/VR glasses that Apple plans to launch later.
When Apple introduces a pair of AR glasses, they may well look like this Apple Glass concept. Concept: the Hacker 34
Apple is almost certainly prepping a pair of augmented reality glasses. A designer dreamed up his own Apple Glass concept, and filmed a video demonstrating the cutting-edge features.
These concept Apple AR glasses could become a reality as soon as 2021. Photo: Martin Hajek
A prominent Apple analyst recently predicted that Apple’s rumored AR glasses won’t debut until 2022. But since then, other noted leakers have said these augmented-reality Apple Glasses will be out next year.
Apple’s rumored augmented reality glasses ... coming 2021 or 2022? Photo: Martin Hajek
Apple’s widely rumored augmented reality glasses will be released sometime between March and June of 2021, according to leaker and YouTuber Jon Prosser, contradicting a report Thursday from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that the product is on course for its debut in 2022.
Plessy has been at the forefront of micro LED display development. Photo: Plessy
Apple’s long-rumored augmented reality glasses project may have suffered a serious setback thanks to Facebook.
The social network company reportedly reached a licensing deal with Plessey, a British firm that makes displays specifically for augmented reality displays. Apple supposedly was looking into acquiring Plessey. But Facebook rushed in and struck an exclusive supply deal with the company, effectively shutting out Cupertino.
Is that what 802.11ay Wi-Fi is really all about? Photo: Martin Hajek
The next-generation Wi-Fi technology rumored to be coming to this year’s iPhone lineup could be used primarily to connect your Apple Glasses, a new report suggests.
The 802.11ay standard promises lightning-fast speeds and stellar connectivity, but it probably won’t replace the Wi-Fi standards you’re already familiar with in most cases.
Apple may need a little help polishing its glasses Concept: Taeyeon Kim
Recent rumors suggest that Apple is leaning on another company to help develop its highly anticipated augmented reality headset. At first, I thought that sounded crazy. Apple Glasses look set to be the company’s biggest new product launch since Apple Watch. Surely Cupertino would keep development of something that important in-house?
But when you look back over Apple’s history of joint ventures, it starts to make more sense. Apple tends to partner with third-parties in very specific circumstances — and Cupertino knows exactly what it’s doing.
Read all about the latest Apple hardware rumors and predictions in this week’s Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it free from the iOS App Store. The latest issue also explains why we’re hooked on Apple Arcade, along with reviews of several tasty bits of gear. Plus, as usual, you’ll find how-tos for iPhone, Apple Watch and other Apple products.