Recently it was revealed that Apple plans to release its first augmented reality device (not just an iPhone with LiDAR) later this year. It is possible that we are talking about the appearance of glasses Apple Glass, and it is expected that it will be a device like the Apple Watch, which is dependent on the iPhone. It’s not for nothing that Cupertino hires engineers from Tesla and other augmented reality specialists (obviously not for Apple Car ). But I was more interested in how these glasses would work. On the one hand, the need to have an iPhone to configure them is not encouraging, on the other hand, this approach has its advantages.
Apple glasses can be a good replacement for the Apple Watch
According to analysts familiar with Apple’s plans, the first generation of Apple’s augmented reality glasses will be heavily dependent on the iPhone. Apple’s AR glasses will work more like a display, and the Internet and location services will be connected using the iPhone in the user’s pocket. It is assumed that the devices will be able to connect with each other via Bluetooth, like the Apple Watch, but so far there is no detailed information about this.
How Apple Glass works
But does Apple Glass really need to use the iPhone? Let’s take a look at what the VR headset market is now. The Oculus Rift likewise relies on a computer to process data, while the headset itself is just a display with sensors and input devices. In contrast, the Oculus Quest is a standalone VR headset that does all the processing on its own. The Oculus Quest actually has a built- in Android phone .
Oculus Quest 2
It turns out that Apple will either have to build a “mini iPhone” into its glasses, or make them like the Apple Watch – partially autonomous, but dependent on the iPhone. The second approach has several advantages.
- First, the cost. It is much cheaper to make a device that does not need its own computing power. This should make Apple glasses more affordable than they might otherwise be.
- Secondly, the weight. Removing the “computer” components from the headset will allow the glasses to be lighter and therefore more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
- Third, the service life. You will be able to buy one pair of Apple Glass and use them with different generations of iPhones. I know many people who use the first Apple Watch with an iPhone X or iPhone 11 – and they are quite happy.
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And in any case, the emergence of glasses will drive iPhone sales. Android owners who want to try Apple’s AR headset will find themselves in the position of having to buy an iPhone of some kind. And here – fortunately, Apple has an affordable second-generation iPhone SE and a slightly more expensive iPhone 12 mini .
If Apple glasses are like this, give two pairs
When will Apple glasses come out?
It will be interesting to see exactly how Apple introduces its first generation glasses. This is expected to happen at the iPhone 13 launch in September. Analysts say Apple will replace smartphones with this type of device in the long term “in about ten years,” but I’m not sure about that. Rather, it will be a nice addition or toy. Are we really going to find ourselves in a position where every person who now has an iPhone will wear glasses? And if we’re not going to wear them all the time, is it better to go into our pocket for a pair of Apple glasses than grab a phone?
Perhaps I would buy Apple Glass as a replacement for my Apple Watch, but not my iPhone. What do you think? Do you agree that it makes sense to have Apple Glass connected to an iPhone, or would you rather use a standalone device? Write in the comments and in our chat on Telegram.