News from the AI & ML world
DeeperML
Aminu Abdullahi@eWEEK
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Apple is accelerating its entry into the AI-powered wearable market with plans to launch its first smart glasses by late 2026. These glasses, codenamed "N401," will feature built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers, enabling users to interact with the Siri voice assistant for tasks such as making phone calls, playing music, conducting live translations, and receiving GPS directions. The company aims to compete with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have seen significant success, but is initially focusing on simplicity by foregoing full augmented reality (AR) capabilities in the first iteration. Apple hopes that by defining their product vision and investing strategically, they can overcome their late start in the AI race and deliver a superior experience.
The move comes as Apple recognizes the growing importance of AI in wearable technology and seeks to catch up with competitors like Meta, Google, and OpenAI. While Meta is working on higher-end smart glasses with built-in displays, Apple is taking a different approach by prioritizing essential functionalities and a sleek design, similar to Meta's Ray-Bans. Google has also partnered with brands like Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster to launch smart glasses using its Android XR system. Apple is looking to capture the AI devices market, which is set to become more crowded next year. OpenAI, the company behind popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, announced earlier this week that it was collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive on AI gadgets to be released beginning next year.
Amidst these developments, Apple has reportedly scrapped plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch, signaling a shift in its wearables strategy. Sources indicate that the company had been actively working on releasing a camera-equipped Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra by 2027, but that project was recently shut down. Instead, Apple is concentrating its resources on smart glasses, with prototypes expected to be ordered in bulk for testing. Apple faces competitors like OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Amazon. Bloomberg reported that Apple was running multiple focus groups to find out what its employees liked about smart glasses from competitors.
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The move comes as Apple recognizes the growing importance of AI in wearable technology and seeks to catch up with competitors like Meta, Google, and OpenAI. While Meta is working on higher-end smart glasses with built-in displays, Apple is taking a different approach by prioritizing essential functionalities and a sleek design, similar to Meta's Ray-Bans. Google has also partnered with brands like Samsung, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster to launch smart glasses using its Android XR system. Apple is looking to capture the AI devices market, which is set to become more crowded next year. OpenAI, the company behind popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, announced earlier this week that it was collaborating with former Apple designer Jony Ive on AI gadgets to be released beginning next year.
Amidst these developments, Apple has reportedly scrapped plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch, signaling a shift in its wearables strategy. Sources indicate that the company had been actively working on releasing a camera-equipped Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra by 2027, but that project was recently shut down. Instead, Apple is concentrating its resources on smart glasses, with prototypes expected to be ordered in bulk for testing. Apple faces competitors like OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Amazon. Bloomberg reported that Apple was running multiple focus groups to find out what its employees liked about smart glasses from competitors.
ImgSrc: assets.eweek.co
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References :
- 9to5Mac: Apple is in a tough spot. While the company is painfully behind the competition when it comes to getting a solid handle on AI development, it seems to be the timeline to release its first AI-powered smart glasses.
- www.engadget.com: Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman that aims to release smart glasses by the end of 2026.
- Entrepreneur: Apple’s AI glasses are set to launch by the end of next year and will function like Meta's Ray-Bans.
- eWEEK: Apple is speeding up development on its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses, aiming for a late 2026 release.
- Spyglass: Apple Eyes 2026 for Smart Glasses
- thetechbasic.com: Apple AI Smart Glasses Launch 2026 Features Siri Cameras Compete Meta