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After Google announced their own smart glasses this week, reports are emerging that Apple is preparing to enter the same market by late 2026. This development apparently coincides with the company’s decision to discontinue plans for an Apple Watch that was tipped to feature an integrated camera.
According to Bloomberg, Apple aims to release its first smart glasses by the end of 2026. The device is expected to feature built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling users to interact with Siri for functions such as taking calls, controlling music, live translation, and navigation.
Interestingly, fully-fledged augmented reality capabilities are not anticipated in the initial release, with the first generation seemingly shaping up to act more like a wearable, Apple Ecosystem-integrated assistant.
Mass production of prototypes is slated to begin in late 2025, with Apple collaborating with overseas suppliers to advance the project.
Cancellation of Apple Watch with a camera
I’m not too sure how far this concept actually made it out of the meeting rooms at Cupertino, but Bloomberg is also reporting that Apple has binned the idea to release a watch with an integrated camera.
The project, which was initially targeted for release by 2027, was intended to enhance the Apple Watch’s AI features by allowing the watch to scan the world around you. It’s an interesting development because you can bet your bottom dollar that other manufacturers will bring out their own smartwatches with cameras now as the next USP.
But Apple usually knows what it is doing from a revenue point of view, and efforts to capture more of the VR market through smart glasses may well pay off more effectively. After Vision Pro was released, the suggestion was that such tech would never hit high uptake until it was much lighter and less intrusive. Going for the glasses model would certainly achieve that.
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2 Comments
Max you are a beautiful man and i’ve always admired you. My best employee. , i might be a bit tipsy tonight and i’ll admit to you now that i’ve got a bit of a crush on you. Don’t take it the wrong way and i know relationships make things complicated but if you feel the same way my door is open.
Honestly, the idea of Apple Glasses launching in 2026 feels like one of those “wait-for-it” tech moments — like when everyone thought the camera-equipped watch would be the next big thing. I remember when I first tried augmented reality on a friend’s headset and it genuinely changed how I took photos and got directions. It doesn’t mean Vision Pro is done; tech evolves in twists, not straight lines. And speaking of tech support memories, I once had to dig up the spypoint customer service phone number late at night to troubleshoot a device — weirdly satisfying when it got fixed! Excited to see where Apple goes next.