Last month, a demonstration of the Meta Ray-Ban Display showcased the capabilities of new smart glasses equipped with a monocular display. During the demo, Victoria Song, a colleague, utilized the glasses to send WhatsApp messages, take photographs, adjust Spotify’s volume through hand gestures, and view maps. Notably, the display on the glasses was not visible to onlookers.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display was designed to resemble typical eyewear despite its bulkiness. Reports suggest that Apple is also exploring similar technology. According to Bloomberg, Apple has paused its development on a lighter Vision Pro headset to prioritize smart glasses, with plans for models both with and without displays. This could suggest an intention to enhance connectivity with their existing devices, such as iPhones.
Apple’s potential entry into the smart glasses market seems promising, especially since their first model is expected to include a camera. However, the timeline for release appears extended; Bloomberg indicates that Apple may not announce its display-less glasses until next year, with a possible rollout in 2027. Notably, Meta’s advancements in this domain might enable them to release augmented reality glasses ahead of Apple.
Amid this competition, various companies, including Samsung and Google, are also progressing with their smart glasses initiatives. The interest in integrating smart glasses into daily life raises questions about privacy, usability, and market readiness. As the technology evolves, it remains to be seen how these developments will reshape consumer interaction with digital content.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/790697/smart-glasses-race-apple-meta-ray-ban-display