Apple shelves Vision headset revamp to prioritize Meta-like smart glasses

The company had been preparing a cheaper, lighter variant of its headset — code-named N100 — for release in 2027. But Apple announced internally last week that it’s moving staff from that project to accelerate work on glasses, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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Smart glasses have emerged as a critical arena for tech companies, which are racing to develop AI-centric devices. Future designs could eventually challenge smartphones as must-have technology, and Apple wants to be ready.

The company is working on at least two types of smart glasses. The first one, dubbed N50, will pair with an iPhone and lack its own display. Apple aims to unveil this model as soon as next year, ahead of a release in 2027, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing internal matters.

Apple is also working on a version with a display — something that could challenge the just-released Meta Ray-Ban Display. The Apple version had been planned for 2028, but the company is now looking to accelerate development, the people said.

Apple’s glasses will rely heavily on voice interaction and artificial intelligence — two areas where it hasn’t always excelled. It was slow to introduce the Apple Intelligence platform and had to delay upgrades to its Siri voice assistant.

But the company is working to turn things around on that front. Apple is betting that a rebuilt Siri, planned for as early as March, will help power a new range of devices, including glasses, speakers, displays and cameras.

Apple is still planning a modest refresh of the current Vision Pro design — with a faster chip — for as early as the end of this year.

Via: The Washington Post

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