Development on Augmented Reality 'Apple Glasses' Postponed Indefinitely

[Pezimak]

So Apple can’t do what Google does? Wow. This’ll go the way of the Apple car by the looks of it. Maybe those engineers can help fix the bugs in iOS 16 instead?
But seriously if true, Google did something years ago Apple can’t do now. Doesn’t make sense.

 

[Pezimak]

In current and coming economic situation it is not strange they postponed it regardless of technical difficulties. It has to be closer to mass market to be viable.

That argument falls apart a little when you consider the AR / VR glasses, rumoured to cost from 2 grand, not much mass market appeal to that. And not everyone will want to wear them either.

 

[subjonas]

Not surprising. From what I’ve seen, AR glasses are kind of in the same boat as flying cars. The technology to make them good and practical for mass adoption (including solving social barriers) is not on the horizon.

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

So Apple can’t do what Google does? Wow. This’ll go the way of the Apple car by the looks of it. Maybe those engineers can help fix the bugs in iOS 16 instead?
But seriously if true, Google did something years ago Apple can’t do now. Doesn’t make sense.

Google Glass was 💩

 

[laptech]

How was it a finished working product if it's in Beta Stage? They released a half-baked product...

Or are you saying that it was an achievement that Google managed to release a half-baked product and Apple hasn't?

What i meant by 'finished working product' is that it was not still in the pre-design stage, it did not have patch tapes holding things together or numerous wires hanging out of it linked to some data collection device. It was in fact a fully working unit that early adopters could purchase and try out 'beta test it' and report back any issues to Google. Many tech journalists bought them so they could review them and they would show videos or pictures of themselves going about their daily life wearing the glasses. It was therefore by and large a 'finished product'.

Apple fans can pour scorn over Googles glasses all they want. The fact remains Google had a physical working ready to go pair of AR glasses which were heavily tested by the early adopters who purchased the glasses. Apple havent even got prototype, it's just all on paper and they've decided to just quit.

 

[Solomani]

I’d rather AR glasses than a mixed reality headset, but that’s just me. Still excited to see a new wearable from Apple nonetheless.

Yeah. The glasses is a visually "minimalistic" wearable-tech design.... which, ironically, is something that is "in line with Apple culture". Too bad it's (rumored to be) pushed back in favor of the VR headset. A clunky arse 3-pound VR head-gear thing.... is actually very "un-Apple". Such a thing you'd expect from Microsoft, Google or even Facebook.

But hey.... whatever. IMHO this "Metaverse" craze is getting many companies to make poor decisions and poor judgement simply because of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

I guess there's one small positive... Apple is taking its time, definitely not rushing, when it comes to releasing any VR-Metaverse gimmicky gadgets. This Apple VR release talk has been in the rumor circulation since before the pandemic.

 

[cjbryce]

Bloomberg says that Apple considers AR glasses to be a product that could one day replace [my emphasis] the iPhone.

For me, that sounds like a really insanely bad idea. I personally would hate to have to wear glasses to make a phone call.

 

[steve09090]

What i meant by 'finished working product' is that it was not still in the pre-design stage, it did not have patch tapes holding things together or numerous wires hanging out of it linked to some data collection device. It was in fact a fully working unit that early adopters could purchase and try out 'beta test it' and report back any issues to Google. Many tech journalists bought them so they could review them and they would show videos or pictures of themselves going about their daily life wearing the glasses. It was therefore by and large a 'finished product'.

Apple fans can pour scorn over Googles glasses all they want. The fact remains Google had a physical working ready to go pair of AR glasses which were heavily tested by the early adopters who purchased the glasses. Apple havent even got prototype, it's just all on paper and they've decided to just quit.

How would you possibly know what Apple have or haven’t actually got unless you were physically involved in the research. They were working on this way back when Mark Rober was in secret development products (as mentioned in his interview with MKBHD).

I personally think it was great for Google to put out concept glasses that doesn’t actually add any function in the real world. Pushing the technology and design is great for everyone, but please don’t pretend that Apple certainly didn't have anything as good the Google Glass in physical form just because you haven’t seen it.

p.s. I love your use of the word "fact" when you clearly have the knowledge only seen through media reporting. Nice.

 

[Col4bin]

Maybe Tim doesn’t have the balls or charisma to go after Apple Glasses with a fervor that set Steve apart. Apple’s future is tomorrow, not what they’ve already been milking for years.

 

[Sasparilla]

Well, that's a bit of a bummer - although tech wise, could see them needing alot more time to get there. Glad they're putting it off, though the tech is just not there for a clean user experience. The AR glasses (compared to the VR goggles) were going to be the only thing (depending on the experience) people might actually buy and use in daily life.

A bit surprising they're going to release the goggles though (considering the glasses are being shelved for the time being) - the market for the goggles are going to be terribly small.

 

[tdar]

Fine. The only Apple AR product that I wanted and now we are not going to get it.

 

[IsaacM]

Wow. This can't be good for the shareholders.

AR is much more interesting than VR. As we saw in the past years, the whole VR/Meta thing isn't something that people really want to use that much.

So this is a major L for Apple and Tim Cook.

 

[IsaacM]

So Apple can’t do what Google does? Wow. This’ll go the way of the Apple car by the looks of it. Maybe those engineers can help fix the bugs in iOS 16 instead?
But seriously if true, Google did something years ago Apple can’t do now. Doesn’t make sense.

The reason they are cancelling it is probably because they can only do what Google did.

As we saw, Google Glass was a huge flop. Apple probably could repackage it in a smoother looking device, but it would still not be enough. I'm guessing in 10-15 years tech will be ready.

 

[swester]

All I will say is that all of these "moonshot" projects have now failed, at least in our lifetimes, sad times:

• self-driving cars
• Google's much-hyped contact lenses for AR use
• AR glasses
• Google's Project Loon - remember that?
• Facebook's all-access internet
• Apple's Car project

These tech companies are slowly coming to the conclusion that there are mortal, just like everyone else, no matter how much

All I will say is that it is premature to consider any of those projects to be failures (unless you think your life is already over?)

 

[BellSystem]

Good. Delays the dystopian nightmare a while longer. Modern folks can barely handle not being glued to a phone….can only imagine these things and the awkward social interactions. For all the possible benefits they will end up being used to sell things and keep the consumerism alive and well. Ads as far as the eye can see….

 

[CarAnalogy]

• Google's Project Loon - remember that?
• Facebook's all-access internet

It’s been years since I checked but neither of those were intended for the United States or other developed countries. I believe both were aimed at rural Africa. And I think they’re both still in existence, especially the Facebook one. That wasn’t a technical revolution so much as an attempt to ingrain facebook as “the internet” aol style to people who had never experienced the internet before. And even if they know better, access to facebook and whatsapp was free but real internet access cost.

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

All I will say is that it is premature to consider any of those projects to be failures (unless you think your life is already over?)

He has a valid point. Overhyped projects hurt people who invest in them, not only financially losing money buying hype stocks and discontinued/faulty products, but also psychologically. People get excited, they 💩post all over the web about some upcoming science fiction becoming real life and then they get let down and realize they wasted their time and energy.

Now everyone on some social media saying stupid 💩 about "AI" doing all our jobs and they are posting hype about it but then all these so called "AI" are extremely flawed and even ChatGPT says these moon boys and hypers are wrong about "AI doing everyone's jobs". People just set themselves up for disappointment, but we also suspect that some of these people are marketing people who are paid to do hype.

 

[ocnitsa]

Agree with those who say that Apple is likely to start with the bulkier stuff and slim down over time and after incremental updates. They didn't come out with the Macbook Air before the Macbook.

The glasses thing is huge if they can pull it off in a compelling form factor...Maps integration alone would be a big sell...to be knowing where you are going walking around a city, check a menu for a restaurant across a street, know where the public restrooms are via visual representation in your line of sight.

 

[robertmorris2]

Apple should focus this product on specific needs like medical or industrial use. There would be enough sales in those areas to support the project.

 

[enterthemerdaverse]

Apple should focus this product on specific needs like medical or industrial use. There would be enough sales in those areas to support the project.

They could but it would have to meet industrial specifications and medical certifications. That's not easy if you are running a consumer OS which has bugs. The Apple Watch has some medical features but it isn't up to the standard of devices used by medical professionals.

Also, HoloLens is failing at industrial requirements and they have been trying longer than anyone.

Congress blocks purchase of more Microsoft combat goggles

The US Congress opted not to approve the purchase of more Microsoft combat goggles for the US Army. Instead, it’s allocating funds for Microsoft to develop an updated version.

www.engadget.com

 

[steve09090]

The reason they are cancelling it is probably because they can only do what Google did.

As we saw, Google Glass was a huge flop. Apple probably could repackage it in a smoother looking device, but it would still not be enough. I'm guessing in 10-15 years tech will be ready.

Who said they are cancelling? Bloomberg reporters? 😂😂😂

 

[nylonsteel]

in these inflationary times - who can afford over priced new toys? - better for aapl to play the wait and see game just like the foldable phones, vr headsets, aapl car - let other companies do the r&d work - then id warranted release something insanely great

 

[Pezimak]

The reason they are cancelling it is probably because they can only do what Google did.

As we saw, Google Glass was a huge flop. Apple probably could repackage it in a smoother looking device, but it would still not be enough. I'm guessing in 10-15 years tech will be ready.

Thank you, you get it. I agree the tech isn’t there yet and won’t be for sometime. They are going to have to shift people’s perceptions from using a phone to wearing smart glasses, thats going to take some time to achieve on its own.

 

[Pezimak]

Google Glass was 💩

Because the tech isn’t ready and people don‘t want to wear smart glasses or goggles. Or have to buy an Apple or Google product and then have prescription lenses fitted, it’ll severely limit your choice of glasses frames and pricing.

However at least Google tried, even if it failed they still did it. This report is claiming Apple is just giving up early.

IMO AR headsets will remain nothing more then a pipe dream.

 

[WWPD]

This video was created seven years ago

I'll see your "Hyper Reality" and raise you a 1995 Johnny Mnemonic.