Apple's Vision Pro takes a backseat as company accelerates smart glass project

In a strategic pivot, Apple has decided to halt development on its Vision Pro headset, redirecting efforts toward the creation of smart glasses aimed at competing with Meta's offerings, as reported by Bloomberg. Originally, Apple was in the process of developing a more affordable and lightweight version of the Vision Pro, codenamed N100, with a planned release in 2027. Last week, the company announced internally that it will reallocate staff from the Vision Pro project to hasten the development of its smart glasses. These innovative devices are anticipated to potentially rival smartphones as essential technology, and Apple aims to seize this promising opportunity. Currently, Apple is working on at least two distinct smart glasses models. The first, internally referred to as N50, is expected to operate without a display and connect with an iPhone. This model could debut next year, with a public launch slated for 2027. Additionally, Apple is also developing a display-equipped version of the smart glasses, which is set to compete against the recently launched Meta Ray-Ban display glasses. Initially targeted for a 2028 release, Apple is now eager to expedite its development timeline. These new smart glasses are expected to heavily incorporate voice interactions and artificial intelligence. Apple has faced challenges in these areas, experiencing delays with its AI features and shelving a significant update to Siri without a confirmed release date. However, reports indicate that Apple plans to revitalize its AI capabilities with a revamped Siri set to launch in March of next year, which would enhance a variety of devices including glasses, speakers, displays, and cameras. The tech giant is reportedly exploring various designs for the smart glasses and is also developing a new chip. Features may include integrated speakers for music playback, cameras for media recording, and voice-controlled functionalities that would work seamlessly with a paired smartphone. Furthermore, Apple is said to be innovating a new suite of health-tracking features for these upcoming smart glasses.