A few days ago, rumors surfaced that Apple might be exploring the idea of smart glasses, potentially preparing for a launch in the distant future.
Now, it seems Apple is getting more serious. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has kicked off a new initiative, codenamed “Atlas,” to assess the landscape around smart glasses, including competitors’ moves and Apple’s own team insights.
While Apple hasn’t confirmed any product development yet, the Atlas initiative is reportedly focused on collecting feedback from Apple employees, with plans to expand these efforts through future focus groups. Gurman suggests that it could still be years away if Apple moves forward with the product.
This cautious approach is typical for Apple, which often starts with internal focus groups to gauge product viability and user preferences, allowing them to remain tight-lipped about new ventures.
Details on Apple’s smart glasses remain scarce. However, some speculate that Apple might pursue a blend of functionality similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, potentially with AirPods-style audio integration.
It’s likely that Apple is keeping a close eye on Orion, Meta’s new smart glasses. Orion looks almost like regular glasses but lets users see and interact with virtual objects in the real world. Snap has also introduced a new version of its AR glasses, Spectacles, though neither model is expected to hit the market for a few years.
Even with the Atlas initiative underway, there’s no sign that Apple’s smart glasses will launch anytime soon. So, for the next couple of years, Vision Pro—possibly with a new chip upgrade—may remain Apple’s main mixed-reality device.
