Apple Continues Work on Smart Glasses as US Patent Filing Hints at Future Release

Apple's recent US Patent Office filing suggests the tech giant is actively developing a set of smart glasses to complement its newly unveiled Vision Pro headset, signaling a potential expansion into the consumer AR/VR space.

Introduction: With the recent release of Apple's Vision Pro, the question of whether the tech giant would also unveil a set of augmented reality glasses as an iPhone accessory or a full-fledged virtual reality headset has been answered. However, a new patent filing indicates that Apple is not stopping at the Vision Pro and is continuing to explore the development of smart glasses. This development hints at Apple's intention to offer a range of products in the AR/VR space, potentially positioning itself as a competitor to Meta, which offers both VR headsets and AR glasses. Apple's Vision Pro: A Spatial Computer Apple's Vision Pro, described as a spatial computer, is a self-contained virtual reality headset that functions as a standalone device. It offers users a fully immersive VR experience, providing a glimpse into the future of computing. The Vision Pro represents Apple's ambition to push the boundaries of technology and create a new kind of computing device. The US Patent Filing: A Glimpse into Apple's Future Plans Despite the release of the Vision Pro, Apple's recent patent filing with the US Patent Office suggests that the company is actively working on a more traditional set of smart glasses. The filing describes a head-mounted display/smart glasses (HMD) that would feature a digital crown on one of the stems. These smart glasses would serve as a heads-up display, showing notifications, controlling music playback, and projecting images and information onto the lenses to augment the real world. Apple's Potential Product Lineup The existence of both the Vision Pro and the smart glasses in Apple's product lineup would not be unprecedented. Competitor Meta already offers both VR headsets and AR glasses, catering to different user preferences and needs. Apple's focus on the digital crown in the patent filing suggests that the smart glasses could share some features with the Vision Pro, providing a cohesive user experience across the product family. The Role of the iPhone and Apple Watch Given Apple's history of leveraging its existing ecosystem, it is reasonable to expect that the smart glasses would rely on the iPhone for processing power and connectivity. Additionally, Apple may draw inspiration from its Apple Watch, potentially positioning the smart glasses as a second-screen companion accessory. By tapping into the power of the iPhone and applying lessons learned from the Apple Watch, Apple could create a seamless and integrated AR experience for its users. Conclusion: While not all patent filings translate into real-world products, the timing and specificity of Apple's recent filing indicate that the company is actively pursuing the development of smart glasses. The potential existence of both the Vision Pro and smart glasses in Apple's product lineup suggests a strategy to cater to different user preferences and needs. It is possible that Apple may position the smart glasses as an iPhone accessory on the low-end, while the Vision Pro serves as a high-end VR headset. Ultimately, Apple's long-term roadmap may involve merging the two product lines, offering a comprehensive range of AR/VR devices for consumers. As technology continues to advance, the future of Apple's AR/VR offerings holds great promise and potential for innovation.