Apple's AI-Powered Smart Glasses Set to Launch in 2026, Challenging Meta's Dominance

Apple could launch AI-powered smart glasses in 2026 | TechCrunch

Apple is reportedly looking to release a pair of smart glasses by the end of next year in a bid to compete with Meta's AI-powered glasses, the Ray-Ban Meta. Apple's wearable will have all the components one would expect in smart glasses, including a camera and microphone, and will have the ability to analyze what's going on around it, Bloomberg reported. It will also have Siri, and it will be able to respond to commands like answering phone calls and giving directions. Bloomberg previously reported Apple's plans to create new chips to develop smart glasses and other hardware, including new Macs and AI servers. Apple CEO Tim Cook is apparently dead set on trying to beat Meta in the smart glasses market as the AI race heats up. The Ray-Ban Meta has proven to be a big success for Meta; the company and its manufacturing partner, Ray-Ban, have sold millions of units to date.

Apple's AI Smart Glasses to Arrive in 2026, According to Report

Blake has over a decade of experience writing for the web, with a focus on mobile phones, where he covered the smartphone boom of the 2010s and the broader tech scene. When he's not in front of a keyboard, you'll most likely find him playing video games, watching horror flicks, or hunting down a good churro. Apple's take on smart glasses could arrive next year, according to a report from Bloomberg on Thursday. While the description of the specs sound a lot like what Meta and Google are doing in that area, Apple has a reputation for fashion-forward and iconic products that could help set it apart as it plays catchup. The glasses are expected to ship late in 2026 with cameras, microphones and speakers, as well as multimodal AI that could respond to user requests via Siri and that can "see" and analyze the environment of the wearer. The Bloomberg report also said that Apple is scrapping plans to put a camera in its Apple Watch devices. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET for comment.

Apple's first smart glasses could arrive next year

Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Apple is planning to debut its first pair of smart glasses next year, according to a report from Bloomberg. The upcoming glasses will reportedly come with cameras, microphones, and speakers, "allowing them to analyze the external world and take requests via the Siri voice assistant," Bloomberg says. The glasses would also be capable of taking phone calls, controlling music playback, performing live translations, and offering directions. They'll also reportedly feature an in-house chip, though plans for incorporating augmented reality still "remain years away." The rumor comes just one day after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the acquisition of io, the AI hardware design company owned by former Apple designer Jony Ive. Altman and Ive plan to launch their first AI devices next year, and rumors suggest that it will be a screenless device with built-in cameras and microphones. A source tells Bloomberg that Apple's device will be similar to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, "but better made." Meta sold more than 1 million pairs of its Ray-Ban smart glasses last year, while Google just announced that it's working with Xreal, Warby Parker, Samsung, and Gentle Monsters to create AI smart glasses on its Android XR platform.

Apple Plans Glasses for 2026 as Part of AI Push, Nixes Watch With Camera

Apple Inc. is aiming to release smart glasses at the end of next year as part of a push into AI-enhanced gadgets, but it has shelved plans for a smartwatch that can analyze its surroundings with a built-in camera. Company engineers are ramping up work on the glasses -- a rival to Meta Platforms Inc.'s popular Ray-Bans -- in a bid to meet the year-end 2026 target, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes at the end of this year with overseas suppliers, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the products haven't been announced.

Apple plans smart glasses launch in 2026, Bloomberg News reports

May 22 (Reuters) - Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab plans to release smart glasses at the end of next year, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, in the iPhone maker's latest push to diversify its product lineup and boost demand for its artificial intelligence devices. Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes of the devices at the end of this year with overseas suppliers, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The company's push into facewear comes after its Vision Pro headset saw lukewarm reception from the public due to its hefty price tag and lack of AI features. Apple's new glasses will compete with Facebook-parent Meta's (META.O), opens new tab Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have become popular with consumers. Apple also shelved plans for a smartwatch that can analyze its surroundings with a built-in camera, the report said. The company had actively been working to release a camera-equipped Apple Watch by 2027, but that work was shut down, the report added. Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Business

Apple will reportedly release smart glasses next year

The tech company is trying to catch up to the AI wearables coming from rivals. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman that Apple aims to release smart glasses by the end of 2026. This product would be equipped with cameras, microphones and speakers so that a wearer could interact with the Siri voice assistant. The glasses would also support activities such as listening to music, taking phone calls or hearing step-by-step directions to a location. Apple has long been working toward an end goal of , but it has faced several hurdles in getting its AI endeavors to parity with other rivals. We're expecting a lot of AI announcements during in a few weeks, but some of them may be met with skepticism after the and sometimes rollout of its Apple Intelligence suite. Meanwhile, other companies have already made waves with AI-enabled smart glasses. Meta has seen a fair amount of from its partnership with Ray-Ban. Google recently unveiled new plans for its with a demo during its I/O showcase earlier this week. And OpenAI is getting in on the hardware game thanks to its of Jony Ive's io design startup, although it hasn't offered details yet on planned projects. Apple's project sounds more akin to the Meta option than to the display-equipped model Google showed off, but we'll likely hear more specifics soon. While Apple pushes to ready smart glasses for next year, it has abandoned some other wearables projects. According to Gurman's sources, the company has left the idea of a camera-equipped Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra by the wayside. However, AirPods with cameras appear to still be in development.

Apple's AI-infused smart glasses to arrive in late 2026

In a nutshell: Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a pair of consumer-grade smart glasses in time for the 2026 holiday season. The unnamed spectacles will likely include microphones, speakers, and cameras, allowing the wearer to interact with Siri and / or Apple Intelligence using only their voice, capture photos and video, listen to music, place and receive phone calls, receive turn-based directions, and more. With launch just over a year and a half away, one could safely assume that Apple is deep into the development phase. Even if it took through the rest of 2025 to finalize the design, that would still give Apple nearly a full year to try out some prototypes, enter mass production, and host a public unveiling to hype the new glasses. An Apple employee reportedly told Bloomberg that the glasses are similar to ones recently launched by Meta, "but better made." The Meta glasses are made in partnership with Ray-Ban and are available now in stores starting at $299. Apple's end game is a pair of lightweight, augmented reality glasses. The new specs won't fulfill that goal as they won't feature AR smarts, but they will serve as a stepping stone along the way. With WWDC 2025 just around the corner, rest assured that Apple will have lots of new AI-related developments to talk about at the conference and that some of them will likely show up in next year's smart glasses. As for other related wearables, Apple has reportedly decided not to move forward with a version of the Apple Watch equipped with a camera. Initial reports suggested cameras could help deliver AI features. Some early smartwatches came equipped with cameras for capturing photos and videos but the concept never really took off. Shooting from the wrist proved awkward and mobile camera tech was still in its infancy so results were often poor at best. Privacy was also a concern, just as it was in the early days of smart glasses.

Report: Apple aiming to release AI smart glasses next year - 9to5Mac

Apple is expediting its plans to compete with Meta's popular Ray-Ban smart glasses. Bloomberg reports today that Apple is now aiming to release smart glasses "at the end of next year." Simultaneously, the company has dropped its plans to release an Apple Watch with a built-in camera. The report says that Apple will "start producing large quantities of prototypes at the end of this year." The glasses will reportedly have built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers so they can "analyze the external world and take requests via the Siri voice assistant." Other features on the docket include support for taking phone calls, playing music, turn-by-turn directions, and live translation. "One person with knowledge of the glasses said they will be similar to the Meta product but better made," the report says. The work is being spearheaded by Apple's Vision Products Group, which spearheaded the work on Vision Pro as well. There are reportedly concerns inside Apple, however, that the company's ongoing struggles in AI could hinder these smart glasses: People working on Apple's smart glasses remain concerned that its AI failings may undermine the new product. The Meta Ray-Bans and upcoming glasses running the Android operating system benefit from the strength of Meta's Llama and Google's Gemini artificial intelligence platforms. Today, Apple uses Google Lens and OpenAI for analysis of the real world via the iPhone's Visual Intelligence feature. The company will likely want to roll out its own technology for that with the upcoming hardware Bloomberg had previously reported that Apple was also developing future Apple Watch models with built-in cameras. That project, however, has reportedly been shelved as of this week. Work on AirPods with built-in cameras is still ongoing.

Apple Smart Glasses Launching in 2026

Apple is planning to launch a set of smart glasses by the end of 2026, reports Bloomberg. The glasses will be comparable to the Meta Ray-Bans and the Android XR glasses that Google showed off earlier this week. Apple's smart glasses are expected to include cameras, microphones, and AI capabilities, much like the Meta Ray-Bans. The glasses will be able to take photos, record video, provide translations, give turn-by-turn directions, play music, facilitate phone calls, offer feedback on what the wearer is seeing, and answer queries, but there won't be augmented reality capabilities included. Siri will be a key part of the glasses experience, with Apple planning to improve the personal assistant ahead of when the product launches. With Apple targeting a late 2026 launch, work on the smart glasses has ramped up. Apple plans to produce "large quantities" of prototypes by the end of this year, giving the company time to test before mass production and a public unveiling. According to Bloomberg, an Apple employee said that the glasses are similar to Meta's glasses, "but better made." The Meta Ray-Bans use Meta Llama and Google Gemini, but Apple will rely on its own AI models. Apple's longtime goal has been a pair of lightweight augmented reality glasses, and the smart glasses that it is working on for 2026 will serve as a stepping stone. True augmented reality glasses are still years away as components like chips and batteries need to come down in price and size.

Apple AI glasses 'better made' than Meta's now on tap for 2026

The company has also canceled plans to equip the Apple Watch with cameras. WWDC may be just around the corner, but Apple is already looking ahead to 2026. And it's going to be a big year -- along with a folding phone and OLED MacBooks, Apple is also planning to launch a brand new wearable powered by Apple Intelligence. Apple has big plans to release smart glasses in the second half of 2026, according to a new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The glasses will be similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses that have a built-in camera for taking pictures, shooting video, and analyzing images, anopen-ear speakers, and a microphone for voice commands. Gurman states that the glasses will be similar to the Ray-Ban Metas but "better made." It will also be able to "handle tasks such as phone calls, music playback, live translations, and turn-by-turn directions." He also said that "large quantities of prototypes" will be ready by the end of this year. Eventually, the glasses would support augmented reality, where digital content is superimposed on what the user sees, but those features are "years away." The report comes a day after OpenAI announced a major deal to acquire an AI startup company established by Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, who is currently running design firm LoveFrom. The deal was struck to deliver Open AI-based products, which would compete with Apple. Google also announced plans to deliver Gemini-based smart glasses. However, Gurman reports that while Apple's smart glasses will rely on AI-based features, people within Apple expressed concern that the company's mishandling of AI development will hinder the ability to develop the product. Apple's Visual Intelligence, introduced with iOS 18.2, can provide information based on a visual examination of what is seen through an iPhone camera, but it relies heavily on ChatGPT. Apple will want to be able to use its own AI technology instead for the smart glasses, so a revamped Siri needs to come first. Gurman also reported that Apple has scrapped plans to equip the Apple Watch with cameras. The plan was to use the camera for AI-based features. Apple is reportedly continuing with the development of camera-equipped AirPods.

Apple's 'AI push' could mean smart glasses arrive as soon as 2026

(Image credit: Martin Hajek/ iDrop News/ Shutterstock/ Tom's Guide) According to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is seeking to release a set of smart glasses by end of 2026 as part of a "push into AI-enhanced gadgets." The Apple Glasses, meant to take on the Meta Ray-Ban glasses and any upcoming products built on the Android XR platform that Google showed off this week, have entered a ramped up development to meet the target date. Prototypes should be produced by the end of this year, the Bloomberg report claims. With OpenAI buying former Apple Chief Design Officer Jony Ive's company (which he started with OpenAI's Sam Altman) to build the 'iPhone of AI' it seems the Cupertino giant is feeling the pressure. In April, it was reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook is "obsessed" with launching a pair of Apple Glasses. Like other smart glasses, the Apple version is supposed to feature cameras, microphones and speakers. Coupled with Apple Intelligence and Siri, they could potentially analyze the external world and take on tasks like music playback, live translations, and phone calls. Gurman claims that Apple wants its glasses to use augmented reality (AR) to use displays and other tech to show digital content on the lens, but that feature might not come any time soon. Allegedly, Apple's Vision Products Group, makers of the Vision Pro headset, will develop this product. And while they are working on a new version of Apple's spatial computing headset, apparently, Glasses are getting the bulk of the focus. The group is supposed to be helping design a chip meant for smart glasses, which might launch next year. Much of Apple's future plans depend on the company bolstering Apple Intelligence, something the company has struggled with since its take on AI was announced in June of 2024. A number of reports have come out in the last few months that claim that Apple couldn't get its priorities in order especially when it comes to Siri. Recently, Apple has started to open up its walled garden by allowing third-party LLMs to help bolster Apple Intelligence alongside ChatGPT which is already integrated with Siri. For the rumored glasses to succeed in the way Apple wants, the company will have to offer a more robust version of its AI tools, including a smarter version of its personal assistant. That could happen with the iOS 19 update likely to arrive later this year. Not only will iOS 19 offer a redesign for Apple's iPhone software, it's supposed to give Apple Intelligence a boost. There have been rumors that Apple was working on an Apple Watch or Apple Watch Ultra that would feature a camera; however, Gurman claims those plans have been squashed. A rumored AirPods update that would feature built-in cameras is still in the works. Reportedly, those earbuds would launch next year as well. Next year could be big for Apple with new products and overhauled classics. Apple's first foldable phone should also launch late next year.

Apple Plans to Launch Smart Glasses to Rival Meta Ray-Bans

Apple's smart glasses designed to compete with Meta Ray-Bans will reportedly be released by the end of 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The upcoming glasses will be equipped with cameras, microphones, and speakers to support real-world analysis and hands-free interaction via Siri. Apple's device will reportedly offer features such as live translation, turn-by-turn navigation, music playback, and voice-controlled phone calls. A source familiar with the matter tells Bloomberg the glasses will be "similar to the Meta product but better made." These capabilities position the smart glasses as a potential new category of personal computing devices, one that Apple is investing in despite broader challenges integrating artificial intelligence into its existing product lineup. Apple is currently behind rivals in delivering AI functionality across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and is racing to upgrade its AI infrastructure, including its proprietary large language models. A dedicated in-house chip is expected to power the glasses, enhancing their performance and AI responsiveness. Apple has already begun preparing for mass prototype production with overseas suppliers, Bloomberg reports, as it targets a large-scale rollout next year. The company's internal codename for the glasses project has evolved from "N50" to "N401," signaling a broader commitment to the wearable AI space. However, sources caution that Apple's plans are still subject to change, and prior wearable projects have been shelved in the past. The smart glasses were initially part of a larger strategy to develop augmented reality spectacles, but fully AR-capable versions remain several years away. For now, Apple's glasses will focus on camera-based environmental interaction without embedded displays, distinguishing them from future AR wearables expected from competitors like Meta and Google. This move comes as competition intensifies in AI hardware. OpenAI, in collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive, plans to launch its own AI devices next year. Meanwhile, Meta has found commercial success with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, and Google is partnering with brands such as Samsung and Warby Parker to develop AI-enhanced eyewear on its Android XR platform. Apple's smart glasses are being developed by its Vision Products Group, the team behind the Vision Pro headset. That group is also working on lighter, lower-cost versions of the Vision Pro and models that tether to Macs for low-latency applications.

Apple smart glasses could come as soon as 2026

The iPhone maker is apparently planning on launching its long-rumored smart glasses in 2026, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. According to the report, the glasses will have microphones, speakers, and cameras built in, with an emphasis on AI features. This would allow users to ask for directions, do live language translation, and listen to music, among other things. However, one thing to note is that these glasses will more than likely not feature AR support of any kind, unlike Google's recently announced Android XR glasses. It's also unclear if they would allow for a similar level of self-expression via partnerships with different brands, such as Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, like Google is offering. According to Bloomberg, Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses are the closest point of comparison, as they allow users to perform some AI tasks with voice commands, but don't have any kind of mixed reality display built in. This report comes after a pair of different Bloomberg reports earlier this year reshaped user expectations for Apple's next stab at a computer that you wear on your face. Apple was rumored to be working on AR glasses like Google's for some time, but the business publication said back in February that they had been canceled. A couple of months later, prominent Apple reporter Mark Gurman said in Bloomberg that Apple is making glasses, but they won't feature AR. This latest report seems to be consistent with all of that. For those of us who are old enough to remember the big-time failure of Google Glass as a consumer device 10 years ago, all of this is still a little hard to believe.

Apple's AI glasses are coming, but not the way you think

Apple is reportedly accelerating development on their new wearable: AI-powered smart glasses designed to compete directly with Meta's Ray-Bans. According to Bloomberg, the Cupertino-based company is targeting a late 2026 launch and has begun preparing large-scale prototypes for production. This new report clarifies and updates earlier information reported by our publication, which speculated that Apple would debut its smart glasses alongside custom chips based on Apple Watch architecture. At the time, sources suggested that chip production would begin in summer 2026. However, Bloomberg now confirms that Apple aims to start producing significant quantities of the smart glasses themselves -- not just their components -- by the end of 2025, signaling a more aggressive timeline than previously expected. Recommended Videos While Apple's futuristic AR glasses remain years away, this new development, codenamed N401, will bring real-world context to Siri in a more stylish form factor than a headset. Think of them as "Vision Light": Smart glasses with onboard cameras, speakers, and microphones capable of live translation, call handling, and turn-by-turn directions. The glasses will not feature augmented reality displays unlike the Vision Pro headset. Instead, they rely on audio and voice feedback which is a deliberate move to reduce complexity, cost, and bulk. This confirms earlier reports suggesting that Apple is working on both an AR model and a non-AR model, with N401 clearly representing the latter. Apple's glasses are part of a broader strategy to stay relevant in the rapidly growing market for AI-enabled devices. Meta and Google are already in the same, and OpenAI's newly announced hardware partnership with Jony Ive is set to crowd the field further. Also worth noting: This latest report makes no mention of specialized chips named in the prior leak, Glennie for AirPods and Nevis for Apple Watch, though it does reiterate that Apple is facing challenges around integrating camera and sensor data in a lightweight frame. The concept of offloading processing to the iPhone, also mentioned in earlier reporting, still holds relevance as Apple continues to wrestle with balancing performance and power efficiency. What about Apple's other wearable experiments? Not all ideas are making the cut. Apple has reportedly shelved development of a smartwatch with an integrated camera and real-world analysis capabilities. That device was meant to bring environment-sensing features to the wrist but has been scrapped due to technical hurdles and privacy concerns. Internally, the smart glasses project is said to be facing some of the same AI limitations Apple has struggles with elsewhere. While Meta's Ray-Bans benefit from Llama, and Android XR glasses lean on Google's Gemini, Apple has so far relied on third-party AI like OpenAI or Google Lens for visual understanding on the iPhone. Analysts expect Apple to debut its own proprietary models soon, potentially alongside the new smart glasses. If all goes as planned, Apple's AI glasses will serve as a the company's first real foray into AI-first wearables and promises to redefine how we interact with everyday life. Whether it can beat Meta at its own game remains to be seen, but Apple isn't content to sit on the sidelines.

AI-enhanced Apple smart glasses set for 2026 release

Optimistic renders of what Apple Glass could look like - Image Credit: AppleInsider The long-rumored Apple Glass smart glasses will reportedly hit store shelves by the end of 2026, with Apple planning for them to be part of its overall AI push. Apple's smart glasses initiative has been repeatedly rumored, with the potential of a simplified form of Apple Glass arriving in late 2026 or early 2027. Now, it seems that Apple is really trying to get the head-mounted devices out in late 2026, and with more of an AI twist. According to an employee of Apple speaking to Bloomberg on Thursday, Apple is planning to lean towards a release in late 2026, instead of allowing it to slip into 2027. The version that will arrive at that time won't be the full-fat Apple Glass experience that has been rumored about, involving augmented reality. Instead, it will be a version that more closely resembles the Ray-Ban Meta eyewear. While following in the footsteps of Meta, Apple's will differ considerably, the employee adds. It will allegedly be "better made" than Meta's effort. The report says that Apple is putting more work into making the smart glasses a reality and to do so on time. This apparently involves the creation of "large quantities" of prototype glasses before the end of 2025, which will be used for testing ahead of mass production. As for what the smart glasses will do, it is thought that they will include cameras and microphones, allowing for Apple's AI systems to see the world for queries. They will also have fairly similar features to Meta's glasses, such as being able to record video and take photos, handle phone calls and music playback, and even aid in navigation. Digital assistant Siri will obviously be involved with the glasses, which should also be in a greatly improved form by the time they launch. As for processing, Apple is rumored to be working on new chips for the glasses, which will be power efficient and help keep the glasses lightweight. The release will also be a precursor to the full AR-based version that Apple is still working on.

Apple reportedly planning to launch smart glasses in late 2026 - SiliconANGLE

Apple Inc. plans to expand its consumer electronics lineup next year with artificial intelligence smart glasses, Bloomberg reported today. The device will compete with Meta Platforms Inc.'s Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The latter product series provides music playback, calling, live translation and navigation features. Apple's upcoming spectacles will reportedly provide many of the same capabilities. The device is reportedly being developed by the business unit that created the Vision Pro headset. The latter gadget, which starts at $3,500, combines the M2 chip that powered Apple's 2022 MacBook Air with a multimedia coprocessor. The iPhone maker's smart glasses are reportedly based on a more lightweight design. The device is expected to ship with a chip derived from the processors that power the Apple Watch series. Those processors use considerably less power than the M2. The system-on-chip in the newest Apple Watches, the S10 SiP, features a dual-core central processing unit and a quad-core AI accelerator. The processor in Apple's smart glasses will reportedly remove some of the S10 SiP's components to further boost power efficiency. The scrapped components likely include those that power the Apple Watch's wellness monitoring sensors. Several of those sensors only work if they're placed on the user's wrist, which rules out their use in smart glasses. Apple's smart glasses chip will reportedly be optimized to control multiple cameras. The latest Ray-Ban Meta glasses have one camera on each lens. Bloomberg cited a source as saying that Apple's device will be similar to the Ray-Ban Meta series but "better made," which hints that there may be more cameras or higher-resolution lenses. Apple engineers are said to be "ramping up" work on the glasses ahead of their launch. The iPhone maker is expected to start producing large quantities of prototypes later this year. Apple reportedly plans to launch the glasses at the end of 2026, but Bloomberg's sources cautioned that the project could still be scrapped. Another one of the company's internal development programs was reportedly canceled earlier this week. It's believed that Apple has abandoned an effort to develop a version of the Apple Watch with cameras. The company has reportedly not scrapped a parallel initiative to develop a camera-equipped edition of its AirPods wireless earbuds.

Apple reportedly plans to release its smart glasses in 2026

The forthcoming Apple Glasses will incorporate cameras, microphones, and artificial intelligence features, mirroring functionalities found in Meta Ray-Bans. Functionality will include photo and video capture, real-time translation, navigational directions, music playback, phone call facilitation, feedback on the wearer's visual input, and query responses. However, the initial release will not feature augmented reality capabilities. Siri is expected to be central to the user experience, and Apple is reportedly prioritizing improvements to the personal assistant in anticipation of the product's launch. Apple is accelerating development, with plans to manufacture a significant number of prototypes by the close of this year. This accelerated timeline allows for extensive testing prior to mass production and a public announcement. A source familiar with Apple's plans told Bloomberg that the glasses are "similar to Meta's glasses, but better made." While Meta's Ray-Bans utilize Meta Llama and Google Gemini, Apple intends to leverage its own proprietary AI models. The current smart glasses project represents an interim step toward Apple's long-term ambition of creating lightweight augmented reality glasses. The company cites the need for advancements in component technology, specifically reductions in the size and cost of chips and batteries, before true augmented reality glasses become feasible.

Apple Is Reportedly Developing AI Smart Glasses to Compete with Meta and Google

The glasses will feature the Siri voice assistant for verbal commands and will be capable of handling phone calls and directions. Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses have been an unexpected success, selling two million pairs since launching in late 2023, with Meta planning to produce 10 million a year by the end of 2026. Now Apple is preparing to enter the smart glasses market with a product of its own. Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Apple engineers are working on a new pair of smart glasses that could be released at the end of next year. Prototypes are expected to be ordered (in bulk) soon for testing. Apple is also reportedly working on a powerful chip for the glasses that could differentiate them from the competition in sheer processing power. Related: Google Is Making AI 'Intelligent Eyewear' With Warby Parker After Eyeing Meta's Ray-Ban Success The glasses are expected to have cameras, microphones, speakers, and a connection to a voice assistant for verbal commands. They will be compatible with music playback, directions, and phone calls. Like the Ray-Bans, which use Meta AI to process voice commands, Siri will handle requests on Apple glasses. With a fresh pair of smart glasses, Apple is looking to capture the AI devices market, which is set to become more crowded next year. OpenAI, the company behind popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, announced earlier this week that it was collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive on AI gadgets to be released beginning next year. On Wednesday, OpenAI stated that it was furthering the collaboration by acquiring Ive's AI hardware startup, io, for $6.5 billion. Related: Amazon Wants to Deliver Packages Faster With Secret Smart Glasses. Here's How. Last fall, Bloomberg reported that Apple was running multiple focus groups to find out what its employees liked about smart glasses from competitors. Apple's ultimate goal is reportedly to develop a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses, which would overlay the real world with data and images. A source told Bloomberg that Apple CEO Tim Cook is intent on making a pair of AR glasses before Meta can, and that AR glasses are "the only thing" Cook is "really spending his time on from a product development standpoint." News leaked in April that Meta was looking into making its first smartphone-alternative AI glasses with an embedded screen to compete with Apple's iPhone. Google announced earlier this week at its I/O conference that it was committing $150 million to create AI glasses in partnership with Warby Parker. The glasses, which include AI features like voice commands sent to Google's Gemini AI assistant, are expected to launch next year. In a live demonstration, the glasses could send text messages, answer questions about objects in the external world, and translate from one language to another in real-time.

Here's When Apple Might Launch Its First Pair of Smart Glasses

Apple has yet to announce plans to launch a pair of smart glasses Apple is said to be working on a pair of smart glasses that could arrive as a competitor to the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, and a new report sheds some light on when the wearable could be introduced by the Cupertino company. According to a Bloomberg report the company is planning to launch its smart glasses in 2026, and the device will be equipped with cameras and microphones that enable support for Apple's Siri voice assistant. It is also said to be equipped with a built-in speaker that enables other features. Citing people aware of Apple's plans, the report states that the company plans to launch its first pair of smart glasses by the end of 2026. Apple is reportedly set to produce many prototypes of the wearable device with unnamed suppliers in other countries by 2025-end. These smart glasses are expected to compete with the Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, a wearable device that was recently introduced in India, and upcoming Android XR devices. Like Meta's smart glasses, the wearable from Apple will allow users to interact with it using their voice. According to the report, Apple will equip its smart glasses with three components -- cameras, microphones, and speakers. The cameras allow the smart glasses to "analyse" the world around the wearer, and users will be able to talk to Apple's Siri assistant via the built-in microphone. The smart glasses from Apple will also be equipped with speakers, which will enable support for features like live translation, navigation, and even receiving calls. They could be Apple's first AI-focused wearable, and the company could develop other products in the future, such as a pair of AirPods equipped with a camera. However, development on one such device has been shelved, according to the report. The firm was previously said to be working on an Apple Watch with a built-in camera that could observe its surroundings, but that device is no longer in development as of this week, according to the report. Meta could overtake Apple later this year, when the Facebook parent firm is expected to introduce a pair of smart glasses with a built-in display. The company is also reportedly working on smart glasses dubbed Hypernova, which supports hand gestures and also features a built-in display.

Here's when Apple's AR glasses might be ready for launch - it's sooner than you think | Stuff

Apple's smart specs may land as soon as the end of 2026 - but they're just the start, with a grander AR vision to come We've heard rumours of Apple's AR smart glasses for years now - even before the Vision Pro headset hit the shelves. And since it arrived, we've heard that Apple's main focus is shrinking the tech down into a pair of smart specs. Now, it looks like Apple might be finally ready to make this device a reality. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is aiming for a release by the end of 2026. The glasses are shaping up to be one of the most powerful offerings available. They're expected to come with built-in speakers, microphones and cameras, and powered by an Apple-designed chip. We're talking about a device that lets you take calls, listen to music, get directions and even use Siri without pulling out your phone. There's mention of live translation features too, though how well any of this will work is still very much up in the air. Especially given Siri's... reputation. But apparently this isn't Apple's big AR vision just yet. Gurman notes that proper augmented reality glasses are still "years away." Instead, this sounds more like Apple's answer to Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses - albeit with better build quality, according to sources at Apple. Considering Meta has already sold over a million pairs and Google is now working with Xreal and others on a rival Android XR platform, this could prove to be a challenge. But there's one big question hanging over Apple's effort: AI. Or rather, Apple's shaky track record with it. There are said to be internal concerns that the company's ongoing struggles with AI could hold this product back. Meta and Google are already pairing their wearables with their advanced AI systems, like Llama and Gemini. Whereas right now, Apple leans on third parties - Google Lens and OpenAI - for its iPhone-based Visual Intelligence features. That might be fine for now, but a future product like this will need something more native, more integrated. There's a lot riding on the AI chops Apple announces at WWDC 2025 in a few weeks.

Apple plans glasses for 2026 as part of AI push, nixes watch with camera

Apple is accelerating development of AI-powered smart glasses, targeting a 2026 release, while cancelling plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch. The glasses will rival Meta's Ray-Bans, featuring cameras, microphones, and Siri integration. Concerns remain over Apple's AI capabilities, which currently lag behind competitors like Meta and Google.Apple is aiming to release smart glasses at the end of next year as part of a push into AI-enhanced gadgets, but it has shelved plans for a smartwatch that can analyse its surroundings with a built-in camera. Company engineers are ramping up work on the glasses -- a rival to Meta Platforms's popular Ray-Bans -- in a bid to meet the year-end 2026 target, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes at the end of this year with overseas suppliers, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the products haven't been announced. The iPhone maker is looking to join the emerging trend of AI-powered devices -- an area where it faces fresh competition. OpenAI said Wednesday that it was teaming up with former Apple chief design officer Jony Ive to introduce hardware products starting next year. The artificial intelligence pioneer is acquiring Ive's secretive io startup, with the goal of releasing a family of AI devices. Apple's glasses would have cameras, microphones and speakers, allowing them to analyse the external world and take requests via the Siri voice assistant. They could also handle tasks such as phone calls, music playback, live translations and turn-by-turn directions. The approach would be similar to that of Meta's current glasses and upcoming devices running Alphabet Inc.'s Android XR operating system. Apple shares were up less than 1% to $202.46 as of 3:13 p.m. in New York on Thursday after spending most of the session in negative territory. The stock fell 19% this year through Wednesday's close. The glasses were originally dubbed N50 internally but now carry the umbrella descriptor N401 -- the name of a broader project exploring the category. The company's plans could always change, though, and it has canceled previous projects. Apple's ultimate goal is to release a pair of spectacles with augmented reality, which uses displays and other technology to superimpose digital content on views of the real world. But those remain years away. A spokesperson for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment. Bloomberg News reported earlier this month that Apple is working on a dedicated chip for smart glasses, with a plan to begin mass-producing the component as early as next year. One person with knowledge of the glasses said they will be similar to the Meta product but better made. The Meta device has increasingly become a hit with consumers, and the company is planning a higher-end product for later this year. Those glasses will include a display, letting wearers see notifications, pictures and other relatively simple visuals. The social networking giant is planning its first pair with true AR in 2027, Bloomberg News has reported. Apple has made other attempts to find a breakthrough AI product. That's included the idea of equipping its smartwatches and AirPods earbuds with cameras, allowing them to absorb more info about the world around them. The company had actively been working to release a camera-equipped Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra by 2027, but that work was shut down this week, according to the people familiar with the situation. The company continues to work on AirPods with cameras. Perfecting an AI device promises to be a high-stakes competition. Apple has struggled to add compelling AI features to its iPhones, iPads and Macs, and now it risks missing out on entire new product categories. The Apple Intelligence platform, released last year, has lagged behind competitors' technology. But the company is racing to enhance its capabilities. That includes a plan to open up Apple's large language models -- a key foundation of generative AI -- to outside developers. That could bring a wave of AI-enhanced third-party software to the company's App Store. Apple also intends to introduce its first foldable phone in late 2026, joining a category that most of its smartphone rivals have already entered. And it's planning more new designs for 2027. People working on Apple's smart glasses remain concerned that its AI failings may undermine the new product. The Meta Ray-Bans and upcoming glasses running the Android operating system benefit from the strength of Meta's Llama and Google's Gemini artificial intelligence platforms. Today, Apple uses Google Lens and OpenAI for analysis of the real world via the iPhone's Visual Intelligence feature. The company will likely want to roll out its own technology for that with the upcoming hardware. Much of Apple's glasses work is being done by the Vision Products Group, which developed the Vision Pro headset. The team is working on new versions of that device as well, Bloomberg News has reported. That includes a cheaper and lighter model, as well as one that tethers to Macs for applications that require low latency, or less lag. Still, the company's road map for wearable devices continues to evolve. It previously aimed to develop AR glasses that would require a connection to the Mac -- a plan it ultimately scrapped earlier this year.

Apple Employee Claims The Company's Smart Glasses Are Like Meta Ray-Bans "But Better Made" As 2026 Launch Nears With Premium Build, Sleek Design, And Powerful AI Features

To rival Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, Apple has plans to launch its own rendition of the smart glasses as soon as next year. Note that next year's glasses would be smart but not in line with the functionality of the Vision Pro. The company is working on miniaturizing the technology for a future iteration of the AR glasses, but the forthcoming smart glasses would be completely different. Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning to launch its smart glasses in the second half of next year, potentially in the last quarter, which will be similar to Meta's Ray-Bans offering and the recently showcased Android XR glasses. Apple's renditions will house camera sensors, microphones, and AI capabilities, which is pretty similar to what Meta offers with its smart glasses. The smart glasses will be able to take pictures and record video, and the company is also working on extensive privacy-related features that will allow individuals to know that the smart glasses are recording. Other than the standard photo and video shooting capabilities, the Apple smart glasses would also be able to show turn-by-turn directions, provide translations, play music, and offer voice call functionality. Moreover, it will also have the ability to give feedback on what the user is seeing through the glasses, which could be a great Accessibility feature for those with visual impairment. The wearable will also allow users to ask questions and get answers in return related to their surroundings, As mentioned, Apple's smart glasses will not have augmented reality capability, as it is reserved for another day. Siri will be a key aspect of the smart glasses experience and the company is working to greatly improve its digital assistant before the wearable sees daylight. Apple has ramped up its development of smart glasses as it badly wants to beat the competition. We have previously reported that Apple CEO Tim Cook is hell-bent on releasing smart glasses to rival the likes of the Meta Ray-Bans. Moreover, the company is also quite optimistic about the demand for the wearable, as it plans to manufacture "large quantities" of the prototype by the end of the year, giving it more time to prepare for mass production next year. According to Bloomberg, an Apple employee stated that Apple's smart glasses are similar to Meta glasses "but better made." Apple will greatly use its own AI models instead of sourcing from the industry. As mentioned, the true AR glasses will be released several years from now, which will give users a truly immersive user experience. Before that, the company wants components like batteries and chips to come down in price.

Report: Apple to Introduce AI-Enhanced Smart Glasses in Late 2026 | PYMNTS.com

Apple did not immediately reply to PYMNTS' request for comment. According to the Bloomberg report, the smart glasses are expected to be fitted with cameras, microphones, speakers and the Siri voice assistant. They will be able to handle phone calls, play music, provide live translations and deliver turn-by-turn directions. Further in the future, years from now, the company aims to release glasses equipped with augmented reality, per the report. The smart glasses project is part of a broader effort by Apple to develop a "breakthrough AI product," the report said. The company has also worked on adding cameras to its Apple Watch smart watches and its AirPods earbuds so that those devices can gather more information, according to the report.

Leaked: Apple's Smart Glasses to Feature These 5 Futuristic Upgrades

People are really talking about the details that have come out about Apple's new Smart Glasses that are set to launch in 2026. These glasses are expected to mix cool tech with a sleek design, and they might change how we look at wearable gadgets. These five improvements make Apple's new glasses more appealing and have the potential to alter our interactions with the digital world. The Smart AI in these glasses is among their best features. This technology allows them to see their in real time and recognize text, faces, and objects. Picture being in a store with the glasses on and having them automatically scan an item to give you its price and reviews right then and there. Thanks to machine learning, a lot of the processing happens right in the glasses, which keeps things quick and private. This could be very helpful for both personal and professional tasks, such as getting directions or using augmented reality.

Apple eyes 2026 smart glasses launch amid AI hardware race, Bloomberg reports By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is accelerating development on smart glasses targeted for release in late 2026, marking a deeper push into AI-integrated consumer hardware, Bloomberg reported earlier. The iPhone maker has shelved a previously considered Apple Watch with a built-in camera, shifting focus entirely toward glasses that could rival Meta Platforms' (NASDAQ:META) Ray-Ban partnership and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOGL) recently-announced partnership with Warby Parker (NYSE:WRBY) for AI glasses. Sources familiar with the roadmap told Bloomberg that Apple plans to begin large-scale prototype production with overseas suppliers by the end of this year. The N401 project, as it is now known internally, represents a wider effort to introduce ambient computing wearables powered by Apple's AI systems, including Siri. The glasses are expected to support cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling them to analyze the user's surroundings and perform voice-activated tasks. The device would handle functions such as phone calls, music playback, turn-by-turn navigation, and real-time translation, mirroring capabilities found in Meta's latest Ray-Ban smart glasses. This has been a pivotal week for AI and hardware competition, with multiple announcements signaling heightened urgency in the space. On Wednesday, OpenAI said it would acquire Jony Ive's secretive AI hardware startup, io, in a move aimed at developing devices that may one day challenge the iPhone's ubiquity. Ive is Apple's former Chief Design Officer and helped define the aesthetics of the iPhone and Apple Watch. OpenAI's plan to release its first hardware products next year suggests that competition for ambient AI wearables is not only intensifying but also threatening Apple on its home turf. Meanwhile, at Google's Tuesday I/O developer conference, the company announced its smart glasses alongside a partnership with Warby Parker aimed at creating lighter, more comfortable AI-powered frames. This signals serious intent from Alphabet to gain a foothold in AI-native wearables while bringing its technology to retail scale. Apple remains committed to releasing eventual augmented reality (AR) spectacles that merge digital content directly into the user's field of view. Those plans are still years away, positioning the 2026 smart glasses as a precursor to the company's long-term AR vision and its response to a rapidly evolving AI hardware landscape.

Apple plans smart glasses launch in 2026, Bloomberg News reports

(Reuters) -Apple plans to release smart glasses at the end of next year, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, in the iPhone maker's latest push to diversify its product lineup and boost demand for its artificial intelligence devices. Apple will start producing large quantities of prototypes of the devices at the end of this year with overseas suppliers, the report said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The company's push into facewear comes after its Vision Pro headset saw lukewarm reception from the public due to its hefty price tag and lack of AI features. Apple's new glasses will compete with Facebook-parent Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have become popular with consumers. Apple also shelved plans for a smartwatch that can analyze its surroundings with a built-in camera, the report said. The company had actively been working to release a camera-equipped Apple Watch by 2027, but that work was shut down, the report added. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)