Google failed to turn Google Glass into a viable mainstream product, but Apple thinks it knows something the search giant doesn’t — based on a new report claiming that Apple is exploring a similar foray into “digital glasses.”
Citing people familiar with the matter, the report describes a device that — like the Apple Watch — would connect wirelessly to iPhones as a glorified accessory.
It would reportedly display information and images for customers, and may represent Apple’s push into augmented reality, which Tim Cook has previously said was an area of interest.
Apple has allegedly spoken with potential suppliers, and has ordered small quantities of near-eye displays from one such supplier. Should the concept go ahead, it will not be until 2018 at the earliest, however — and Apple is nowhere near to the mass production stage.
To augment or not to augment
While today’s report is intriguing, it is premature to suggest that this is something Apple will definitely be releasing. For years, the company has filed patents for technology which would fit a head-up display, although it has not yet released anything in this area.
Recently, Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo suggested that Apple could enjoy a 3-to-5-year lead over competitors by redefining augmented reality experiences on the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
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At present, it seems like Apple is weighing up a number of ideas, based on tweaking concepts which have gained either buzz or sales from other companies.
For example, earlier this year we heard that Apple plans to take on the Amazon Echo with a standalone Siri device, similar to the Amazon Echo — although with the added benefit of facial recognition. Apple has also reportedly been heavily involved with researching a possible Apple Car, although plans in this area now seem to be being scaled back.
Personally, of these three projects I think the most feasible one would be a standalone Siri device, since this has already been proven to have a market thanks to the Amazon Echo.
Apple could absolutely develop a Google Glass display more stylish than the one Google was able to dream up, but I’m unsure that such a technology is going to find success with the public just yet — for reasons both technological and social.
Do you think an Apple-built Google Glass-style device would be a good move on Apple’s part? Leave your comments below.
Source: Bloomberg
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
9 responses to “Apple thinks it can make a Google Glass we’ll want to buy”
Sorry Apple. I have no desire to buy another pair of glasses. I already wear subscription glasses. I don’t see the point. I don’t want to look like some cyborg from a SciFi movie or a Glasshole, Snaphole, Spectahole. I think that anyone wearing these silly things in normal public environment just come off as XXXXX-holes.
I assume you mean prescription glasses…
Maybe OP pays by the month for his glasses.
If it looked like a regular pair of spectacles and gave me so super powers like digital zooming and maybe some infrared so I can see in the dark and some heat sensors, it may just be worth it.
Google glass did not fail, IT WAS NEVER A CONSUMER PRODUCT!!!
why the hell is that so hard for iDiots to comprehend?
I absolutely agree. Google’s failure was that they held the thing in “explorer” FAR too long and never made it into an actual product… yet still blamed public interest for it’s failure.
I suspect that, even if the initial version was sub-par, it would have been a hit as a consumer product (assuming a $499 – $699 max price tag and comparability with both iOS and Android).
Public outcry was Google’s own fault for not explaining/demoing the device. They really just wanted this to be an ‘exclusive’ product. I followed all the articles and videos I could, yet was never able to actually try one (never had a demo near me). For those that actually had one, they found that people were FAR less afraid of the thing when they tried it on.
Settle down, Android putz. Glass was not a consumer product because created zero buzz and zero interest. If it did, you better believe Google would’ve put them on the shelves in a minute.
It was never a consumer product you ass, Google stated that from the beginning. You couldn’t buy it because it was never available to consumers–being the iDiot that you are I don’t expect you to understand something so simple.
Be thankful they Google, Samsung and others are busy creating new products otherwise apple would have no ideas to copy.
Enjoy a 3-5 year lead? As mentioned, Glass has been done, but don’t forget about Windows Holographic – with actual consumer products (priced right) coming out early next year!