Apple developing AR glasses to compete with Meta

Apple is not resting on the success of its Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which has garnered attention not only for its impressive capabilities but also for its hefty price tag of $3,500. According to a recent report, the Cupertino tech giant is planning to enter the smart AR glasses market, aiming to directly challenge Meta in its own territory. Bloomberg News reports that Apple is developing AR glasses to compete with Meta’s Ray-Ban collaboration and, more specifically, the company’s newly unveiled Meta Orion AR glasses prototype.

The report highlights that Apple intends to leverage the cutting-edge technology developed for the Vision Pro in its upcoming AR glasses. However, the launch is not expected until 2027, which gives Meta ample time to solidify its position in the AR glasses market.

In parallel with the AR glasses, Apple is also working on AirPods featuring built-in cameras, which are slated for release in 2027 as well. Similar to the AR glasses, these new AirPods are designed to integrate technology developed for the Vision Pro, allowing them to analyze the user’s environment and provide relevant information.

But who needs AirPods with cameras? Experts speculate that such earbuds could be used for various purposes, such as tracking the user's hand movements, enabling gesture control for Apple's products, or offering spatial audio solutions when paired with the Vision Pro glasses, adjusting the sound based on the direction the user is facing.