Apple Surveys Vision Pro Users About Competing Headsets and Smart Glasses

[MacRumors]

Apple today sent out surveys to some Vision Pro users, asking them a series of questions about the utility of various features, owned accessories, and most interestingly, competing devices.

Much of the survey asked for feedback on screen resolution, fit, and other factors, but there are some highlights. Apple asked about Guest Mode, whether the Vision Pro iPhone app is useful, and what accessories, if any, are used with the headset.

There were specific questions about competing mixed reality and virtual reality headsets, along with a question about smart glasses. Users were asked if they owned the following: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Other Meta Quest headset, PlayStation VR, Valve Index, or ByteDance Pro. As for smart glasses, Apple asked about the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, the Amazon Echo Frames, and the Snapchat Spectacles.

The PlayStation VR and Meta Quest devices are Vision Pro competitors, but Apple does not have a product that is the equivalent of the Meta Ray-Bans or Amazon Echo Frames as of now. Apple wants to compete with those products, though, and rumors suggest that it is developing smart glasses that will be similar in function and form to the Meta Ray-Bans.

Over the weekend, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple will release its first smart glasses in 2027, though other sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believe they will launch in 2026.

Kuo says the smart glasses will have multiple frame and temple material options for a custom look, along with support for voice control, gesture recognition, and audio playback. Integrated cameras will allow users to capture photos and videos, with the cameras also feeding information to a built-in AI assistant that will have environmental awareness. The 2027 smart glasses will be followed by "XR Glasses" with an integrated display for augmented reality features.

As for the Vision Pro, a revised model could come as soon as this year, with Apple adding an M5 chip but no other features. In 2027, Kuo claims Apple will release the "Apple Vision Air," a new Vision Pro model that's "substantially lighter" and less expensive, incorporating an iPhone chip instead of a Mac chip. In 2028, Apple is planning for the second-generation Vision Pro with an overhauled design, Mac-grade processor, and lower price.

Article Link: Apple Surveys Vision Pro Users About Competing Headsets and Smart Glasses

 

[antnythr]

“We don’t know what we’re doing”

 

[Graphate]

I don’t usually answer surveys, but I did to this one. It’s amazing as a device, just uncomfortable. It’s not that it is too heavy, although reducing weight would solve the issue… so would better weight distribution.

 

[vantelimus]

Sigh… I hope Apple doesn’t make the mistake of making a me too product. They won’t succeed unless the product redefines the class.

 

[GrassShark]

I've said this for years — glasses are the only form factor that will get any real marketshare for face wearables. Anything else is a waste of time and resources. Whether Apple can compete in this space has yet to be seen, but it is the only way they'll have a chance.

 

[Cesar Battistini]

Make it way lighter, with an M5 and about 2000 dollars.

And of course make it run MacOS natively, if a mouse/trackpad and keyboard are connected.

There, now we have a portable Mac, with an infinite size screen we can take anywhere, with the benefits of spacial computing.

 

[richinaus]

I've said this for years — glasses are the only form factor that will get any real marketshare for face wearables. Anything else is a waste of time and resources. Whether Apple can compete in this space has yet to be seen, but it is the only way they'll have a chance.

Just wondering how you arrive at glasses without working on products that are at the constraints of current technology? Iphone AR and Apple Vision Pro passthrough and related app development all lead to glasses.......

 

[roguegeek]

Makes no sense to send these surveys out to only some current Vision Pro users. They've proved they'll buy luxury garbage tech no matter the cost or compromise. Apple wanting to live in their echo chamber, apparently.

 

[richinaus]

Make it way lighter, with an M5 and about 2000 dollars.

And of course make it run MacOS natively, if a mouse/trackpad and keyboard are connected.

There, now we have a portable Mac, with an infinite size screen we can take anywhere, with the benefits of spacial computing.

I have no doubt we will see something like this eventually. Wont be an M5 though will it..... M8-10 most likely.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

I wonder why the survey didn't frame its question about other glasses as simply "Do you own any smart glasses?", rather than specifying only a few of those currently on the market. The class of smart glasses that Apple should aim for, is the type exemplified by the XREAL One Pro, or at least the Air version, and similar.

 

[GrassShark]

Just wondering how you arrive at glasses without working on products that are at the constraints of current technology? Iphone AR and Apple Vision Pro passthrough and related app development all lead to glasses.......

I'm not sure I get your point. iPhone AR is not a face-worn product, so it's not really relevant to what I'm saying.
The Vision Pro is and it's not doing well. They could have skipped the ski-goggle form factor and just worked on the glasses until they were ready to ship and the tech had caught up. The Vision Pro isn't doing them any favours as it is.

 

[lk400]

“We don’t know what we’re doing”

Thank you for paying $3.5k to join our market research beta test. Now can we have some data too?

 

[citysnaps]

Excellent move by Apple.

 

[citysnaps]

Sigh… I hope Apple doesn’t make the mistake of making a me too product. They won’t succeed unless the product redefines the class.

Does Apple have a track record of introducing me too products? Why leap to the conclusion Apple is stupid?

 

[GioGiusi]

As annoyed as I am by Tim Cook’s latest move to strip AR from Apple Glasses in order to ship sooner, they’re still a product I would buy almost immediately. If they replace AirPods, and have a super high quality camera on board, and leverage iPhone for heavy lifting, and have all day battery life, and accept all kinds of prescriptions…they are a no brainer to replace my current glasses.

It still going to need AR in order to convince non-glasses wearers to jump in, but for now there are plenty of us looking to upgrade the thing we already wear to something with more utility.

 

[GioGiusi]

Does Apple have a track record of introducing me too products? Why leap to the conclusion Apple is stupid?

Which Apple? The one from 1998 to 2020? Or the one since Tim Cook started meddling with the formula?

The current Apple shipped Vision Pro, which was never meant to be a shipping product. It was built to demo the software for the future AR glasses, and since those were the years away, Cook said ship it.

I can’t say what Apple would or would not do anymore.

 

[Unami]

says the smart glasses will have multiple frame and temple material options for a custom look

Material from temples? I foresee another PR-disaster.

 

[trip1ex]

put up a 24/7 live cam at apple so we can see the office of the future in action.

and then I'll think about it.

 

[Unami]

Does Apple have a track record of introducing me too products? Why leap to the conclusion Apple is stupid?

They do have a track record of entering a market when others have laid the groundwork and the tech is ready, though. Not actually "me too" products, more "inspired by" with the polish and economy of scale only a company the size of apple can deliver. But I'm kind if skeptical that they can deliver enough polish in 2027 with Siri being in the state it is now.

 

[richinaus]

I'm not sure I get your point. iPhone AR is not a face-worn product, so it's not really relevant to what I'm saying.
The Vision Pro is and it's not doing well. They could have skipped the ski-goggle form factor and just worked on the glasses until they were ready to ship and the tech had caught up. The Vision Pro isn't doing them any favours as it is.

what technologies would go into glasses that are used in iPhone AR?

 

[frownface]

At least it shouldn't take long to wade through the results.

While i understand the intention of surveying existing owners about fit and user experience. I feel like there'd be a bit of confimation bias once they start getting into questions about competing products.

 

[GrassShark]

what technologies would go into glasses that are used in iPhone AR?

Just a wild guess but I'd say mostly the AR stuff. Was this meant to be a trick question?

 

[richinaus]

 

[Trev816]

If they could make me a set of glasses that worked with Apple CarPlay, to show my speed, directions, potential hazards etc, I would buy it tomorrow. Not all vehicles have a head up display, so this could be a big selling point for wearables.

 

[Anonymous123]

Users were asked if they owned the following: Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, Other Meta Quest headset, PlayStation VR, Valve Index, or ByteDance Pro

What is the ByteDance Pro? After searching for it online, as far as I can tell it doesn’t exist.