Apple’s Vision Pro headset represents a significant step in the company’s journey toward developing lightweight, augmented reality (AR) glasses. While the Vision Pro has garnered attention for its technological advancements, its high price and bulkiness have limited its mainstream appeal. Apple CEO Tim Cook has acknowledged that the primary role of the Vision Pro is to lay the groundwork for a mixed-reality ecosystem, serving as a precursor to more refined products like the anticipated Apple Glasses.
The Vision Pro is expected to receive an update this year, featuring a more powerful chip and an improved strap for enhanced comfort. However, the overall design and price point are likely to remain unchanged. Reports suggest that a more affordable version of the Vision Pro is in development, with a projected release around 2027. This timeline coincides with expectations for Apple’s own smart glasses, which aim to compete with products like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.
The ultimate goal for Apple and its competitors is to deliver AR content through devices that resemble traditional eyewear. Achieving this requires overcoming significant technological challenges, particularly in terms of miniaturization and power efficiency. As a result, the realization of true AR glasses with the quality and usability associated with Apple products is still several years away.
In the interim, a new product category is emerging: smart goggles. These devices offer a middle ground between bulky headsets and lightweight smart glasses. Meta has showcased a prototype called Orion, which, despite its bulkier design, aims to provide enhanced functionality compared to existing smart glasses. Similarly, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly developing its own version of smart goggles. These goggles are designed to be lightweight by offloading processing tasks to an external device connected via a wire, a strategy reminiscent of Meta’s Orion prototype.
While these smart goggles may not be suitable for everyday wear in public settings, they could offer a more comfortable and functional alternative for home or office use. By providing a significant portion of the functionality found in devices like the Vision Pro, smart goggles could serve as an effective bridge until true AR glasses become feasible.
The development of smart goggles introduces a revised roadmap for wearable AR devices:
– Bulky Headsets: Devices like Meta Quest and Vision Pro that offer immersive experiences but are limited by their size and weight.
– Interim Smart Glasses: Products such as Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that provide limited functionality in a more traditional eyewear form factor.
– Smart Goggles: A new category offering enhanced functionality with a design that balances between headsets and glasses.
– True AR Glasses: The ultimate goal of delivering full AR capabilities in a device indistinguishable from regular glasses.
The introduction of smart goggles could play a crucial role in maintaining consumer interest and engagement with AR technologies. By offering a more practical and comfortable option, they can help bridge the gap between current bulky headsets and the future of sleek, fully functional AR glasses.
