For some years now we have been hearing about Apple Glass . From patents dating back to 2015 that detail software and hardware that could lead to smart glasses aimed at a large slice of consumers.
Since 2019, Apple Glass rumors have increased in frequency and it seems that every few months another report comes up that details a possible release date and features . But so far, we have no definite news yet.
Currently, it looks like Apple Glass will be out in 2022, but this is only the most recent in a long line of rumors, so it’s hard to really predict their release date . Concept similar to the rumors regarding the upcoming iPhone 14.
Meanwhile, Apple continues to release its typical suite of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Macs and Apple TVs every year. Aside from the later canceled AirPower charging mat , there is no official clue that Apple is developing anything beyond its current range of products we already know.
apple glass indiscretions
There is a lot of confusion as to when or even if we will ever see (it really should be said) the Apple smart glasses , but the latest rumors suggest that they could be announced soon. They mostly won’t hit stores until much later.
Let’s try to clarify the situation and take a look at the major leaks on Apple Glass , as well as the next augmented reality device and why the AR spec seemed to be the next big move for the tech giant.
Apple Glass: straight to the point
What are Apple Glass? A new Apple wearable device, a pair of glasses that use augmented reality (AR) technology
When will they be available? They could be announced in the course of 2022
How much will they cost? Some sources suggest $ 499.00 (we expect a similar price in Europe as well)
When will they be available?
We’ve been hearing about hypothetical release dates for Apple Glass for years now, so we’d all lost hope.
Currently, it looks like we might see the first generation of Apple Glass in the first half of 2022 , which is a pretty large window of time.
However, 2022 seems like a pretty plausible date, thanks to an investment group that says it is almost ready to reveal all the details.
Additionally, reports suggest that Apple’s AR and VR (for augmented and virtual reality) device may also arrive in 2022, albeit not before the end of the year . It is not certain which of the two will come out first or if they will be launched at the same time.
Apple AR glasses: difference between AR and VR
You may have heard of VR (virtual reality) headsets , as they became super popular after the launch of Oculus Rift in 2012 . These are usually large, bulky and expensive devices geared towards gaming and designed to completely block your eyes from seeing the real world around you, but to immerse you in virtual reality.
Because of this, they can be truly engaging for both gaming and professional activities , such as pilot training. However, their sheer size, immersion, and dependence on a computer or game console makes them unusable on the go, not to mention out of date.
However, when we talk about AR (augmented reality) the story changes. AR glasses are transparent, as they use clear lenses and simply add a digital overlay over the normal field of view.
For this to work, AR glasses can project a small screen onto one or both of their lenses for the user to actually see. The design of the AR glasses is also usually lightweight and portable , similar to regular glasses, which means they can be used outdoors.
Recent sources suggest that Apple is working on both AR glasses and VR headsets, so these are two separate smart portable and wearable devices.
Latest rumors (November 2021) on Apple AR glasses
Apple’s VR headset may not require a connection to the iPhone
The most reliable analysts recall that iPhones still have 10 years of life before they are replaced by ARs
Apple’s iPhone 14 and AR headset may both be equipped with Wi-Fi 6 technology
The year is 2022, the “high-end” Apple Glass could seriously compete with Sony headphones
A patent shows how Apple Glass could project images directly onto the retina
Apple will begin production of the AR / VR headsets in a year
The Apple AR headphones will go into mass production in the second quarter of 2022 and hit shelves months later
Apple’s VR headset will likely require an iPhone connection to work
Apple Glass AR design
apple glasses ar design
Concept of the Apple Glasses by Martin Hajek, for iDrop News
As can be expected from Apple, its smart glasses will be stylish and stylish , as far as the number of technological components inside will allow.
In May 2020, leaker Jon Prosser said on a podcast that Apple Glasses would resemble a traditional pair of glasses , which is plausible. Their design will avoid resembling “heavy machines on the face” and will be aimed at the general public.
apple glass
Concept by Apple Glass, from EverythingApplePro
Apparently, in 2020 Apple had already made some prototypes of black and white AR glasses that were seen by our leaker. He also said Apple Glass will support prescription prescription lenses , which suggests they may be interchangeable.
apple ar vr headset
Apple AR headset concept by AntonioDeRosa
The Apple Glass AR display
Like most augmented reality glasses, Apple- branded ones will mount one or two micro-projectors on each side of the frame , so as to show a clear image on the lenses. This will appear, to the wearer of Apple glasses, as an overlay on the surrounding environment.
apple glass concept
A bit like when you frame a road with your mobile phone camera and more information is shown thanks to augmented reality. The concept would be the same, but applied to smart lenses.
If, as we have said, the Apple glasses will have the ability to project information on both lenses using built-in projectors, it will mean that some apps could easily present 3D effects.
apple patent image from 2019 apple glasses
In 2019, a report from CNET suggested that Apple Glasses would project in quality up to 8K, hence an impressive resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels for each eye.
Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that Apple will use Sony Micro-OLED displays and optical modules for a clear and transparent AR experience , but will also be able to provide a “VR experience” .
Apple Glass: speakers and microphones
Apple’s AR glasses will likely have at least two speakers , one on each side built into the frame and close to the user’s ears.
Nothing different than other modern smart glasses, like the Amazon Echo Frames available in America . Although they don’t have a display, they do have four tiny speakers, two on each side, as well as a microphone.
While wearing them, the user can interact with the Amazon Alexa smart assistant . If you are interested in a pair of smart glasses perfect for hearing music without earphones (seriously) take a look at the Audio Frames series from Bose .
A recent patent filed by Apple revealed that Apple Glasses could implement a wide range of built-in microphones . The patent in question requires microphones to detect sounds, even those that go beyond human hearing, and suggests that certain types of indicators will be used to “direct the user to the source of the sound . ”
As with most of Apple’s smart glasses patents, it’s uncertain whether this will have anything to do with the final product or if it is related to an idea for a feature that has already been discarded . We know that it has happened several times.
The software dedicated to Apple AR glasses
Put simply: but exactly, what can I do with Apple Glass?
As early as May 2020, a source said Apple’s smart glasses will work through a new operating system, or user interface, codenamed ” StarBoard “.
At the end of 2019, the code discovered within the iOS 13 builds referred to the codenames ” StarBoard ” and ” STARTester “. The latter was assumed to be an app capable of detecting whether Apple’s AR glasses (also codenamed “T288”) were being “worn” or “maintained”.
Along with that, the app would be used to recreate what the wearer would see through Apple Glasses on an iPhone, likely for interface testing purposes .
Smart glasses are likely to rely on the user’s iPhone to do the processing for them, as suggested by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Similar to Amazon’s Echo Frames smart glasses, Apple Glass users will be able to interact with a smart assistant (Siri in this case) by voice , ask him to call a contact, answer questions, take notes, play a podcast, music, and so on.
Other features should include displaying notifications from their iPhone to the wearer, displaying messages, map directions, and other useful content. As with the Apple Watch, Apple Glasses would likely have their own dedicated app store , containing 3D AR games and other dedicated AR apps.
They will certainly support 5G connectivity , at least according to what leaker Jon Prosser reported.
The Apple Glass camera
Will Apple’s smart glasses have a camera? Or will they use LiDAR (Laser Detection and Ranging) technology?
For privacy reasons, it seems unlikely that the Apple Glasses will be equipped with an integrated camera . A major criticism of Google’s attempt to use AR glasses (Google Glass) has been that its built-in camera could be used to record people in public without their knowledge or consent.
apple glass sensors
Since Google Glass had a built-in camera, wearing it was also banned in some public areas , such as casinos and cinemas.
Learning from this lesson, most AR eyewear manufacturers no longer include cameras in their wearables. Apple included, most likely.
However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects one of Apple’s AR technology projects to actually sport as many as 15 cameras, eight of which are used for AR video . As previously recognized, it could be a device other than the Apple VR viewer , on which the Cupertino company is also working.
Apple Glass itself is unlikely to still have built-in cameras, but it will only focus on AR, while it looks like the potential Apple VR headset will focus on both AR and VR.
Speaking of cameras, Apple’s LiDAR sensor , which we’ve seen on the iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro, could join Apple Glass.
Considering that this technology cannot capture sharp photos and videos of people like a standard camera and will be useful for scanning the user’s environment in order to improve AR apps, Apple may be able to avoid potential privacy issues. .
Battery and charging of Apple Glass
Due to the size limitations of their design, Apple’s smart glasses won’t be able to use large batteries , so the device will need to be energy efficient. A small battery cell could be integrated into each eyeglass shaft or inside the frame.
apple glass battery charger
Several patent applications from Apple, published in March 2020, have suggested that it is considering charging its glasses wirelessly on a dedicated dock . Judging by the more plausible patent, the glasses will contain magnets and coils that will connect to the dock, allowing for inductive charging.
