(Credit: Emily Forlini/PCMag)
Apple is forging ahead with plans to make its own smart glasses to compete with Meta's wearables, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple Intelligence will be a significant part of the device, and "will analyze the surrounding environment and feed information to the wearer," Gurman says. The device is still in early development, and Apple has not confirmed anything.
We've heard rumors about Apple smart glasses for years, but Apple is reportedly seriously interested in AI-powered wearables across the board. It's also looking to add cameras to AirPods and Apple Watches in a push for so-called "Visual Intelligence." These devices could "see" what the wearer sees, and an upgraded Siri voice assistant could answer questions about it. It could translate a sign or ask ChatGPT about a landmark in the park, for example.
Apple is connecting wearable devices and voice assistants by giving Vision Pro creator Mike Rockwell ownership over the development of the AI-enhanced Siri. Reports indicate he may be working on a pared-down and lightweight version of the Vision Pro with a smaller price tag, which could have more mass-market appeal than the Vision Pro.
The big question is whether Apple Intelligence can deliver. The AI platform has been embroiled in false advertising lawsuits, and hasn't been an instant hit with consumers on the iPhone 16. Will putting it in glasses make a difference?
Meta has found a hit with its Ray-Ban glasses and has lofty ambitions to evolve them. Google has similar offerings, such as Lens, and more recently, Project Astra and screen-reading for Gemini AI. Amazon, meanwhile, is working on Alexa+, which it demoed earlier this year on Echo Show devices with cameras.