Apple's brand new device

Apple could enter the smart glasses market later this year with a product featuring a stylish design similar to the Meta Ray-Ban.

A pair of Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses. Photo: Bloomberg .

In a Bloomberg Power On report, analyst Mark Gurman stated that Apple's wearable device development plans have undergone a major shift. The company is now focusing on smart glasses without a display screen.

Codenamed N50 internally, the product has a design similar to regular eyeglasses, allowing users to wear it as a regular fashion accessory. The product is expected to integrate many AI features, promising a new user experience.

Interesting things about Apple's smart glasses.

According to Gurman, the idea of ​​developing screenless smart glasses for Apple emerged in 2022. Meta was a pioneer in this field when it collaborated on the production of Ray-Ban glasses with integrated cameras.

Meta's success demonstrates the strong market demand for simple wearable devices. Apple doesn't want to be left out, with plans to introduce the N50 in late 2026, expected to be available in stores in 2027. This is considered a rather ambitious timeline.

Apple's design team is testing four different styles. The first is a large rectangular frame with thick rims, reminiscent of Wayfarer glasses. The second has a thinner rectangular frame, quite similar to the glasses CEO Tim Cook often wears.

The third model is a large, round-framed pair, and finally, a more compact and refined oval-framed design. Engineers are working continuously to perfect these prototypes.

Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 AI sunglasses. Photo: Bloomberg .

Apple plans to release the product in multiple colors. The colors currently being tested include black, ocean blue, and light brown. Like AirPods or the Apple Watch, the company aims to create an iconic design, even using the word "icon" in internal documents.

The material used to manufacture the glasses is a key highlight. The new prototypes are made from acetate, a high-quality, durable, and more luxurious material than conventional plastic. Customers will have a wide range of choices to suit their personal style.

The camera system on the glasses has a different design, featuring a vertically positioned oval lens surrounded by indicator lights. This is a key difference compared to the round camera design on Meta glasses.

According to internal sources, Apple wants to surpass its competitors by tightly integrating its products with the iPhone, creating a more premium device. Instead of relying on external partners, the company plans to design everything itself.

Currently, Meta relies on EssilorLuxottica for its eyeglass frames. Google and Samsung are also collaborating with Warby Parker. This decision allows the company to better control the quality of its output.

Facing numerous challenges

In terms of features, Apple's smart glasses are geared towards everyday tasks. Users can take photos and videos , then sync them to their iPhone for editing. Other features include receiving calls, notifications, playing music, and interacting with Siri.

The voice assistant is central to the device. Apple will equip it with a new version of Siri, expected to appear starting with iOS 27.

The N50 is also part of a broader wearables strategy. Based on rumors, Apple is developing AirPods and a pendant with an integrated camera.

These devices will utilize computer vision technology. Cameras collect images of the surrounding environment, and this data is transmitted to Siri and Apple Intelligence. The system will understand the context, providing features such as visual directions and environment-based prompts.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. Photo: Bloomberg .

In fact, Apple's glasses development plan has undergone many changes. When it was founded about 10 years ago, the Vision Products Group outlined a roadmap with 3 devices.

First up was an augmented reality (AR) headset that synced with the iPhone and came with a wireless controller. The product was expected to launch in early 2020 but was canceled.

The second device is a high-end mixed reality (XR) headset, combining augmented reality and virtual reality (VR). This is the Vision Pro, which hit shelves in 2024 and is also the only product of the three concepts to be commercialized so far.

The third device is a lightweight, standalone AR headset that provides real-time spatial information. The initial roadmap projected a mid-2022 launch. However, the actual schedule is still several years away.

Although Meta took the lead early on and Google owns the vast Android ecosystem, Apple still has its own strengths such as its own chip manufacturing and extensive retail network.

The ability to integrate deeply with the iPhone is also a differentiating factor, which could help smart glasses lead the market in a similar way to how the Apple Watch once did.

According to Gurman, the true potential of the field depends on the core technology. AR glasses need to be thin and lightweight, with sufficient battery life to meet daily needs. Development has been eight years behind schedule.

Source: https://znews.vn/thiet-bi-hoan-toan-moi-cua-apple-post1643617.html