Apple's AR Plan Per The Information: Headset in 2022, Glasses in 2023

Insider tech industry news site The Information has a great scoop on Apple's plans for augmented reality (subscription required), and given The Information's consistently reliable track record, I'm inclined to believe it:

Apple is aiming to release an augmented-reality headset in 2022 and a sleeker pair of AR glasses by 2023, The Information has learned... Apple’s headset, code-named N301, will offer a hybrid of AR and VR capabilities, according to people familiar with the device. It resembles the Oculus Quest, a Facebook virtual reality headset released earlier this year, but with a sleeker design, these people said. Cameras will be mounted on the outside of the device, allowing people to see and interact with their physical surroundings, they said. Apple wants to make heavy use of fabrics and lightweight materials to ensure the device is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, executives said in the presentation in October.

... In contrast, Apple’s AR glasses, code-named N421, present bigger technical challenges than the headset and are further from release. They are meant to be worn all day, and current prototypes look like high-priced sunglasses with thick frames that house the battery and chips, according to a person who has seen them.

This report contradicts earlier rumors that Apple's AR glasses were coming next year and would be third party (which seemed believable to me at the time). Then again, Apple pushing an AR/VR headset back to 2022 is a good idea, especially if Oculus Quest sales continue to disappoint in the short term; that gives Apple time to reschedule the release of their own headset, as needed.

Another tidbit from The Information addresses AR's "Glasshole" problem -- i.e., how do you project information onto glasses in a social situation without the user appearing to be a disconnected jerk ignoring everyone around them? Apple's apparent solution:

Apple has explored the use of lenses for the glasses that darken when people are using AR on them, a way of letting others know the wearer of the glasses is distracted, said another person involved with the project. Apple applied for a patent for such a feature earlier this year. Apple senior managers have told employees they believe later versions of the AR glasses could replace the need for iPhones in roughly a decade, the person said.

I remain utterly unconvinced AR glasses will ever replace smartphones for countless reasons, and remain continually amazed that people like Apple's senior managers don't bother to ask some common sense questions about this vision. To just take one: Would you ever want to take your AR glasses to bed with you, without worrying that you would roll onto them after falling asleep? Or to take a number two: Would you ever want to take AR glasses into the bathroom?

Anyway, read the whole article on The Information here.

Comments

[Iggy 1.0]

AR glasses? "without the user appearing to be a disconnected jerk ignoring everyone around them?"

That sounds like the guy I saw last night, looking at his phone while his wife rolled her eyes and ate her dinner. Clearly, the phone was more important.

And exactly how would glasses be any worse than the hordes of disconnect jerks walking around (and driving!) with their phones?