Apple would be experimenting with several prototypes of augmented reality glasses

Apple’s interest in augmented reality technologies (augmented reality, or AR) has always been absolutely public and won the world with the introduction of ARKit at the last Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The development platform is already in full swing in the hands of developers and promises absolutely impressive uses when the general public can get their hands on iOS 11, its biggest spokesperson.

One aspect, however, has not been considered when we speak of augmented reality in Cupertino: glasses. This is an important element for the most immersive technology experience possible, but since the (almost) death of Google Glass, few technology companies – including Apple – have avoided talking about it.

Well, according to the Financial Times, we may have some good news about this very soon. The newspaper, which has good sources within Cupertino, said today that Apple would be working on many different types of prototypes for augmented reality glasses, although the final vision of what this product would look like is not yet fully defined among the company’s engineers. .

Glasses Spectacles, from Snapchat

For example: although some of these prototypes include projection screens, which display the content directly in the user’s eyes, there is a group of engineers within Cupertino who advocate choosing a device with only one or more cameras, in the verve of Spectacles, Snapchat. Such a device would have the iPhone / iPad as its main “screen”, relegating to glasses only the place of technology’s “eyes”.

If this is the path chosen by Apple, the device could be more of an accessory than a “complete” product – think of an Apple Pencil (which necessarily needs an iPad Pro to work) instead of, say, an Apple Watch (which has its functions expanded with an iPhone, but it can also work alone – and is much more expensive).

Anyway, considering that not even Apple itself knows which way to go yet, the general hunch is that we still have a few years to go before we see this idea coming out on paper (if, of course, it will). And this is good: it is the time that technology may have to develop and become more natural in the minds of consumers.

What do you think?

via MacRumors