Apple is working on smart glasses which will have many Vision Pro features but will be a lot cheaper

Seems like this year Apple will go all in to bring the best of wearables from the brand. After launching Vision Pro, the Cupertino Giant is reportedly planning to bring AI-powered smart glasses, AirPods with Cameras, and its own smart rings. Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter for Bloomberg reveals that Apple is planning to expand its wearable offerings including AI smart glasses. The glasses will pick up some features from the Vision Pro but will be more like the smart glasses recently launched by Meta and Amazon.

Gurman suggests that Apple is considering developing its smart glasses as a potential future product. These glasses would be positioned as a more affordable alternative to their high-end mixed reality headset, the Vision Pro. Although the glasses might incorporate some AI features like Vision Pro, it would likely not have the advanced features of the Vision Pro, such as a high-quality transparent display.

However, they could still offer features like:

• Providing audio and integrating with the Apple ecosystem.
• Utilising cameras and AI to identify objects in the surrounding environment.
• Acting as a stepping stone towards Apple's ultimate goal of creating full-fledged augmented reality glasses.

The report suggests that Apple may offer its smart glasses as an alternative to AirPods, boasting beefier batteries, a wider range of sensors, and more advanced AI capabilities. These potential glasses could include features like integrated speakers, an AI suite, health sensors, and environment-identifying cameras. The glasses could be a possible alternative for AirPods for users who find AirPods uncomfortable to wear for extended periods.

According to Gurman, Apple has discussed creating glasses that "would serve as an AirPods replacement-but with beefier batteries, more sensors, and broader AI capabilities." This would allow users to stay connected to the Apple ecosystem throughout the day without having to wear AirPods, although AirPods would still be an option for higher-quality audio.

However, the development of Apple smart glasses is reported to be in the exploratory phase, meaning it's not guaranteed that Apple will release it as a product. But we guess chances are high as Apple's competitors are already active in the market, bringing new AI features to wearables. Be it Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Amazon's Echo Frames or Samsung's smart ring.

While Apple is exploring smart glasses as an alternative to AirPods, the company isn't abandoning its existing AirPods line. Mark Gurman reports that Apple is investigating the idea of "supercharging" its AirPods by integrating advanced AI and health sensors. This approach would offer many of the benefits of smart glasses without the need for lenses and frames.

Essentially, users who prefer not to wear earphones could opt for smart glasses, while those who don't want to go with frames can look for the AirPods.

Mark Gurman further highlights that Apple has been investigating the concept of "supercharged AirPods," codenamed B798, since last year. Their engineers have been tackling the challenge of fitting low-resolution camera sensors into earbuds no larger than today's AirPods. Theoretically, these cameras could capture data that would be processed by AI to assist users in their daily routines.

Both Apple's smart glasses and the concept of AI-powered AirPods are reportedly still in the planning stages, and the company hasn't officially confirmed anything. However, it will be interesting to see how Apple moves forward with its product lines, including next-generation accessories beyond its regular offerings like iPhones, Macbooks, watches, and iPads.