Apple's smart glasses are one of the most anticipated projects in the world of technology. However, rumors about its launch have been around us since 2017, and they have been as abundant as they are contradictory and confusing.
That is why many specialists doubt that Apple glasses will ever exist, but patents and leaks indicate that they are about to present something. In this post, we go over everything we know so far about the features, date, and future of Apple Glasses.
Please note that the following is informed speculation, and Apple Glasses may not be a publicly available product. Even so, they allow us to glimpse the future of technology, by showing us what they are working on within the apple giant.
Will Apple's glasses be VR or AR?
Although similar, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are not the same. Virtual reality (VR) headsets are devices that block out the real world, giving us an immersive experience. They are also usually large and bulky, like the famous Oculus Rift.
Augmented reality (AR) is different. AR glasses are transparent and lightweight, just adding a digital layer to what we see. Most are in the form of a small screen placed over fairly standard glasses, and can be worn anywhere.
Which of these guys will Apple's glasses be? The most recent rumors indicate that Apple would first present augmented reality glasses. At the same time they would be working on a slightly larger and more expensive VR/AR headset.
When will Apple glasses be presented?
The presentation date of the Apple glasses is not officially or unofficially confirmed, but there are various rumors and predictions about it.
Some sources suggest that Apple's glasses will be featured at the 2023 WWDC developer event (starting June 5). Other rumors point to a presentation before WWDC, while others delay the launch until 2024 or 2025.
Why would Apple delay the presentation of such an innovative product? Concerns about the weakness of the economy this year could be the main reason, but everything indicates that production of Apple glasses has already started.
How much would Apple glasses cost?
The price of the Apple glasses is also not officially confirmed by the company, but there are some rumors and estimates about it. The price in any case will depend on what Apple presents, either augmented reality glasses, or AR/VR headsets.
Apple's VR/AR headsets are expected to cost quite a bit, even going as high as the $3.000 barrier. But it is expected that Apple is developing cheaper models, which would be presented later.
If Apple finally presents augmented reality glasses, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that it could have a price of around 1.000 dollars or euros. Others think that it is more plausible that the final price is closer to 2.000 dollars or euros.
The final price will depend on the features that Apple wants to integrate into the product and the audience it is aimed at. Barring an unexpected technological breakthrough, this will be a niche product, unlike Apple's other wearables.
What are the features of Apple glasses?
This is perhaps the most important point, and it can condition both the price and the availability of Apple glasses. What will be the design and functionality of Apple's augmented reality glasses? We know little for sure, but we can speculate.
For years (and even decades) Apple has registered a series of patents related to the operation and design of smart glasses. Using this, and the technology available, we can get an idea of what Apple glasses will look like.
Microphones and headphones
Apple's glasses will have at least two speakers, one near each ear, as well as a microphone. So you can interact with Siri, make and answer calls or listen to music or podcasts. Something similar to other smart glasses, such as the Amazon Echo Frames.
Also, Apple's glasses could have many microphones distributed throughout the frame. According to a patent filed by Apple, these microphones will be able to pick up sounds that we cannot hear.
They will also be able to guide us to the source of those sounds with some kind of signals. We don't know if this idea will come true or if Apple has already ruled it out.
Crystals, screen and cameras?
These glasses will have some very small projectors in the mounts, which will cause you to see images on the lenses. These images will blend in with what you see around you, potentially creating a digital layer over your entire environment.
A 2019 report said that Apple's glasses would have a very high quality of 8K. That means each eye would see an image that is 7680 x 4320 pixels. If Apple integrates projectors on both crystals, surely some 3D effects can be explored.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple expert, said the glasses will use Sony's Micro-OLED displays and other optical components. So you can see things that are not there (augmented reality) or get into a virtual world (virtual reality).
Apple glasses will almost certainly not have cameras, because they could pose a problem of privacy and social acceptance. As a curiosity, Apple has revealed in the past that the crystals can be graduated, which indicates that they will be interchangeable.
software and controls
There is a lot of uncertainty here. Some Apple leakers indicate that the augmented reality glasses will use an operating system called rOS. Apple's glasses are likely to rely on the user's iPhone or Mac to do the processing for them.
Like Amazon Echo Frames smart glasses, Apple glasses users will be able to interact with a smart assistant (Siri in this case) by voice, ask it to call a contact, answer questions, take a note, play a podcasts, etc.
It is not known what kind of connectivity they will have, and if they will be able to run on Android or Windows, or even if they can operate independently. We will have to wait for the official announcement to have more clues, and to put an end to the rumors.
