Yesterday, a new Kuo report appeared in which it is said that Apple intends to release its first AR device at some point this year. Although it did not go into detail, the analyst had previously suggested that we can expect to see Apple glasses with iPhone drive, at least for the first generation of the company after an augmented reality.
Although there are pros and cons to making the iPhone work, I think it’s an approach that makes sense …
The report of the glasses is merely an external display device and stretches back to 2019.
Kuo says that Apple’s first generation AR glasses will be heavily dependent on the iPhone. The analyst says that the AR glasses will essentially only act as a display with the actual computer, versioning, internet connection and location services coming out of the iPhone in the user’s pocket. It is assumed that the connection will work wirelessly like Apple Watch, but the report does not mention it explicitly.
Yesterday’s report did not add anything in terms of what to expect, saying only that some sort of Apple AR device will be launched during 2021.
We can think of the two AR approaches as being equivalent to today’s virtual reality headsets. The Oculus Rift relies on a computer for processing, while the headset is only a display with sensors and input devices. In contrast, the Oculus Quest is a standalone VR device that does all the processing itself. The Quest effectively has a built-in Android phone.
Using the previous approach – but using an iPhone rather than a computer – has three major benefits.
First, cost. It is significantly cheaper to make a device that does not require its own computing power. That would make Apple Glasses more affordable than it would otherwise be.
Second, weight. By removing the ‘computer’ from the headset, the glasses can be lighter and therefore easier to wear for long periods of time.
Third, longevity. You can buy a single pair of glasses and pass them on through several iPhone generations, reaping the benefits of improved performance every year.
It will be interesting to see how Apple stores the first generation of glasses. A 2019 report claims that Apple’s long-term plan for these types of devices to replace smartphones ‘in about a decade’. Personally, I am not convinced.
Are we really going to be in a position where every person who now owns an iPhone is going to wear glasses? And if we are not going to wear it all the time, does it make more sense to look in our pocket for some Apple glasses than to reach for our phone?
I then explained why I would probably buy a pair, but as a replacement for my Apple Watch, rather than my iPhone.
What is your opinion? Do you agree that it makes sense to have Apple glasses on iPhone, or would you rather see a standalone device? Please let us know in the comments.
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