Apple to Challenge Meta with Smart Glasses Powered by visionOS

Apple is gearing up to enter the smart glasses market, with plans for both advanced AR optics and simpler, non-display models.

According to Bloomberg, the company is developing a version of its visionOS software, originally designed for the Vision Pro headset, to run on these glasses.

This move comes after Apple’s first XR product, the Vision Pro, failed to spark the anticipated revolution, due to its bulky design and high price tag.

The company is reportedly gathering feedback through an internal program called “Atlas,” which focuses on understanding the market potential and features Apple should offer in its smart glasses.

Despite being late to the game, Apple is eyeing a broader wearable category, including a potential rival to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses.

Meta’s Orion AR glasses and its partnership with Ray-Ban have already gained traction, with the Meta Stories glasses offering features like social media sharing and basic tasks such as music playback and calls.

Recently, Meta has added AI integration and is working on a successor that could offer deeper immersion with a display.

Apple’s approach could involve leveraging its AI capabilities, such as Visual Intelligence, which uses AI to interpret the world through a camera’s lens.

While details on Apple’s timeline remain unclear, the company is expected to take its time to ensure its smart glasses stand out, especially after the mixed reception of the Vision Pro.