Apple is reportedly working on a new version of its visionOS, the operating system designed for the Apple Vision Pro, to support smart glasses. The move would make Apple’s augmented reality offerings more accessible, and practical than the headgear-like Vision Pro.
Vision Pro Fails to Impress
Apple Vision Pro, launched at an ambitious price of $3,500, has not lived up to the expectations of Apple. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says the device is considered too heavy for extended use, overheats, and is prohibitively expensive. This has made it appeal to niche audiences only. Interest in the headset reportedly has cooled off since it shipped, with sales coming in short of projections.
Smart Glasses: The Future of AR
Now, Apple’s Vision Products Group is thinking beyond the Vision Pro, weighing a release of smart glasses that could pit it against Meta’s collaboration on Ray-Ban Stories. That, though, may be as far away as three years because of ongoing research and development, according to Gurman.
The effort encompasses broad user research at Apple’s facilities, while the studies have internally been dubbed “Atlas.” Product Systems Quality is at the helm-a part of Apple’s hardware engineering division. The group is currently testing potential features along with interfaces for the glasses and is already working on a version of visionOS customized for the new device.
Development at Apple’s Secretive Facility
Apple’s AR work is anchored at a low-key campus in Santa Clara, not far from its Cupertino headquarters. Though the site saw layoffs last year, remaining employees are still working on AR. The facility also includes a manufacturing unit for testing future display technologies.
Plans for a More Affordable Vision Pro
Alongside working on smart glasses, Apple is redesigning the Vision Pro headset in the hope of making it more appealing to more people. It is working on a more affordable model with cheaper components. The model will cost as much as a high-end iPhone, or about $1,600. The release was initially set for the end of 2024, but Apple continues to work on locking in a prototype.
Gaming Features in Collaboration with Sony
On the other hand, Apple is still working on making the Vision Pro a more capable gaming tool. The company reportedly cooperates with Sony to add support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers. The cooperation has been going on for a few months already, and the addition of VR controller support could make the device look even more promising for gamers.
Conclusion
Apple’s push to develop a visionOS version for smart glasses shows the company’s commitment to refining and expanding its AR product lineup. Though the Vision Pro has faced challenges, these new initiatives-from smart glasses to more affordable headsets-point to Apple’s determination to make AR technology more practical and appealing to a wider audience.
