Introduction to Apple’s Vision Pro
Apple is rumored to be working on two versions of Vision Pro, with the goal of releasing a pair of AR glasses before Meta. According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple CEO Tim Cook has made the event of AR glasses a top priority.
The Challenge of Creating AR Glasses
Creating all-day AR glasses is a multi-year challenge that requires packing in high-resolution displays, a strong chip, and a high-density battery. The biggest challenge is creating such a tool at a consumer price point. Apple is aiming to release a tool that could be worn all day, but this requires overcoming significant technical hurdles.
Meta’s XR Roadmap
Meta has been transparent about its XR roadmap, unveiling its Orion AR glasses in late 2024. The company hopes to productize the device before 2030, with a price point just like that of a phone or laptop. Currently, the Orion costs Meta around $10,000 per unit, on account of its custom silicon carbide waveguide optics.
Meta’s Progress within the XR Space
Meta has made significant progress within the XR space, producing multiple generations of Quest standalone headsets and its Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. The smart glasses, in-built partnership with EssilorLuxottica, have been very successful, with Meta reportedly preparing a next-generation device that features a monoscopic heads-up display.
Apple’s Response
According to Gurman, Apple is working on latest versions of Apple Watch and AirPods with AI-enabled cameras. However, the corporate remains to be debating whether to counter Meta with a pair of smart glasses. Apple has been developing a tool designed to work with Siri and Apple Visual Intelligence, but is unsure whether it would allow the glasses to capture media on account of user privacy concerns.
Leadership Shake-up at Apple
The development of Vision Pro follows a wider leadership shakeup at Apple, which saw the corporate’s Vision Products Group (VPG) redistributed across the corporate. VPG was tasked with developing Vision Pro and was created in 2023, departing from the corporate’s traditional management structure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Apple is working on releasing a pair of AR glasses before Meta, with CEO Tim Cook making it a top priority. However, creating such a tool is a big technical challenge, and the corporate remains to be debating the right way to proceed. With Meta making progress within the XR space, Apple might want to move quickly to remain competitive. The development of Vision Pro is a key a part of Apple’s strategy, and its success will depend upon the corporate’s ability to beat the technical hurdles and create a tool that meets consumer needs.
