Apple Testing Augmented Reality 'Smart Glasses' That Connect to iPhone

[MacRumors]

As part of its effort to expand further into wearable devices, Apple is working on a set of smart glasses, reports Bloomberg. Citing sources familiar with Apple's plans, the site says the smart glasses would connect wirelessly to the iPhone, much like the Apple Watch, and would display "images and other information" to the wearer.

Apple has contacted potential suppliers about its glasses project and has ordered "small quantities" of near-eye displays, suggesting the project is in the exploratory prototyping phase of development. If work on the glasses progresses, they could be released in 2018.

Google Glass​

Apple's glasses sound similar to Google Glass, the head-mounted display that Google first introduced in 2013. Google Glass used augmented reality and voice commands to allow users to do things like check the weather, make phone calls, and capture photographs. Apple's product could be similar in functionality.

The glasses may be Apple's first hardware product targeted directly at AR, one of the people said. Cook has beefed up AR capabilities through acquisitions. In 2013, Apple bought PrimeSense, which developed motion-sensing technology in Microsoft Corp.'s Kinect gaming system. Purchases of software startups in the field, Metaio Inc. and Flyby Media Inc., followed in 2015 and 2016.

Google Glass was highly criticized because of privacy concerns, and as a result, it never really caught on with consumers. Google eventually stopped developing Google Glass in January of 2015.

It is not clear how Apple would overcome the privacy and safety issues that Google faced, nor if the project will progress, but Apple CEO Tim Cook has expressed Apple's deep interest in augmented reality multiple times over the last few months, suggesting something big is in the works. "AR can be really great," he said in July. "We have been and continue to invest a lot in this. We're high on AR in the long run."

Past rumors have also indicated Apple is exploring a number of virtual and augmented reality projects, including a full VR headset. Apple has a full team dedicated to AR and VR research and how the technologies can be incorporated into future Apple products. Cook recently said that he believes augmented reality would be more useful and interesting to people than virtual reality.

Article Link: Apple Testing Augmented Reality 'Smart Glasses' That Connect to iPhone

 

[nfl46]

I sure as hell won't be able to afford version 1. I'd wait until version 2/3 before I invest in them.

 

[andrew5494]

The new iglasses

 

[vartanarsen]

The new iglasses

No not iGlasses. Apple Glasses

 

[filmantopia]

I know people will dismiss this as a probable repeat of the Google Glass failure, but if something in Apple's labs has them excited enough to actually do it, then I too am excited.

 

[flat five]

contact lenses please.
thx

 

[dannyyankou]

I buy everything apple, but goofy tech glasses is where I draw the line.

 

[IndigoDesign]

LOL.
NO.
NEXT.

 

[duervo]

I would like mine in a monocle form factor, please. That way I can strut around like Mr Peanut, with a look of indignant consternation on the non-Apple iGlasses folks.

 

[ip67]

LOL.
NO.
NEXT.

Yep, anyone wearing these into a public restroom is going to get beat to a pulp.

 

[masotime]

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/02/23/shape-things-come

To Ive, then unaware of Google’s plans, “the obvious and right place” for such a thing was the wrist. When he later saw Google Glass, Ive said, it was evident to him that the face “was the wrong place.” Cook said, “We always thought that glasses were not a smart move, from a point of view that people would not really want to wear them. They were intrusive, instead of pushing technology to the background, as we’ve always believed.” He went on, “We always thought it would flop, and, you know, so far it has.”

????

 

[ipedro]

AppleWatch + Glasses + AirPods could be the 1-2-3 punch that gradually replaces the iPhone and sets Apple up for the next decade.

A full computer on your wrist and glasses that provide a place for larger visual information. AirPods in your ears for full time Siri interaction. That's all you need for a wearable computer environment.

 

[Aluminum213]

AppleWatch + iGlasses could be the 1-2 punch that gradually replaces the iPhone and sets Apple up for the next decade.

except you forget to factor in people don't want to look stupid wearing iGlasses

 

[RedOrchestra]

Unlike those ugly Google glasses, Apple's copy will be nothing short of special for Apple's special community.

 

[andrew5494]

Velma will be happy

 

[Aldaris]

Squirrel...

 

[Superhappytree]

Tim Cook is right. Augmented reality is the one out of the two which is more likely to be successful. I know this is probably a poor comparison, but just look at how popular Pokémon GO was, and how popular the Snapchat filters are and how widely they're used by the average person. Again, that's probably a laughable comparison to anyone reading this, but if the average consumer uses those two then they're far more likely to use more advanced (and useful) AR in the future. As for VR, I don't think people want to be wearing bulky headsets. You are also stuck 'in' that world, compared to AR which is more focused on the outter world and seems far more flexible.

 

[Bevz]

I'd prefer they test a new iMac with a GTX1080 in it

 

[cmaier]

I'll believe it when I see it. But assuming I can put complicated prescription lenses in them, I'd be all in and toss my apple watch (since I need to wear glasses, anyway).

 

[A MacBook lover]

Are preorders up yet?

 

[samcraig]

I can't wait to compare the google glass threads with the release announcement thread

 

[pnoyblazed]

Apple is breeding the next generation of glassholes

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Please no. Apple lovers already get enough hate. Now imagine them walking around with glasses on. No matter how good they look, they're going to scream NERD as loud as Google Glass did.

As a friend said, even at BlizzCon, the people with Google Glass looked like giant nerds.

 

[KPA]

I remember Tim saying once " wrist seems to be more a natural place for an accessory" not eyes., looking at google glass.

 

[Schwyz]

Apple Glass.