Apple ditches affordable vision pro – is this the end of the dream?
The vision pro's rocky start
Well, folks, it looks like Apple's taking a detour. The rumors swirling about a more affordable version of the Vision Pro headset? Officially paused. Seems the tech giant is shifting its focus to a brand new battleground: smart glasses. It's a surprising move, considering the Vision Pro launched last February, and frankly, the reception was… lukewarm. The hefty $3,499 price tag, limited availability (only reaching a handful of countries), and overall accessibility issues made it a tough sell. Is this a sign of trouble for Apple's spatial computing ambitions?
A new pair of smart glasses on the horizon
According to reliable sources like Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple isn't content with just one pair of smart glasses. No, they're aiming for two! The first, codenamed N50, is slated for a 2027 release and will operate as a companion device, tethering to an iPhone without its own display. Think of it as a super-powered, voice-controlled extension of your phone. This is a significant pivot from the immersive experience offered by the Vision Pro.
Fighting back against meta
The real driving force behind this change seems to be a desire to directly challenge Meta Platforms and their increasingly popular smart glasses. Meta, already years ahead in the smart glasses space (remember the Ray-Ban Stories from 2021?), is accelerating development of its own display-equipped glasses, originally planned for 2028, but now reportedly fast-tracked. Apple clearly doesn’t want to be left in the dust – this is a full-on tech war brewing!
N100 – the affordable vision pro that won't be
The N100, the rumored cheaper Vision Pro version, built with less premium materials and streamlined features, is now on the back burner. The initial plan was to democratize access to Apple's spatial computing ecosystem, making it available to a wider audience. But with Meta gaining ground, Apple is prioritizing these new smart glasses. The dream of a more accessible Vision Pro might be fading for now.
Ai-powered eyewear: apple's secret weapon
Apple’s approach to these smart glasses will heavily rely on artificial intelligence and its Apple Intelligence ecosystem. While Apple Intelligence hasn't exactly set the world on fire with groundbreaking innovation (let's be honest, Siri still has a ways to go compared to Gemini, Copilot, or ChatGPT), Apple's hoping to leverage its existing user base and ecosystem to gain a competitive edge. Voice interaction will be key, and we can expect a range of styles and a brand-new chip.
Health tracking and beyond: a seamless apple experience
But it doesn’t stop there! Apple is reportedly exploring health tracking features, further integrating these glasses into its broader ecosystem. Think heart rate monitoring (building on the AirPods Pro 3’s capabilities), and seamless connectivity with other Apple devices like smartwatches and smartphones. We can also expect music playback via built-in speakers and multimedia recording with integrated cameras. It's shaping up to be a truly comprehensive wearable experience.