Report: Apple ‘Actively Testing’ Smart glasses
Benjamin Mayo reported over the weekend for 9to5 Mac Apple reportedly is working on “high-end designs” for its still-in-development smart glasses. Mayo’s story draws heavily from the latest edition of Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter for Bloomberg.
(Where would Apple rumor sites be without Mark Gurman’s reporting as story fodder?)
“Apple is actively testing at least four different styles of frames for its upcoming smart glasses project. Apple is counting on its superior design taste to stand out from rivals like the Ray-Man Meta Glasses,” Mayo wrote. “The report indicates Apple is evaluating the designs and plans to launch several, in multiple colors, somewhat similar to how it launched a range of different watches when the Apple Watch debuted in 2015.”
He continued: “Gurman says the front cameras on the glasses will be arranged in an oval pattern, surrounded by indicator lights. This is another design point that will separate Apple’s product from its rivals. Notably, rather than something common like plastic, Apple is planning on using acetate, a ‘durable’ and ‘luxurious’ material, for the main body of the glasses.”
I’m covering Mayo’s report not because I live and die by the Apple rumor mill, but because I’m tantalized at the eventual prospect of a pair of Apple-branded smart glasses for accessibility’s sake. As someone who’s worn the competition, I can say products like Amazon’s Echo Frames and Meta’s Ray-Bans, while directionally correct, nonetheless fundamentally lack the oomph and je ne sais quoi to appeal to people with disabilities, software-wise. To wit, as someone deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, a pair of smart glasses running visionOS—obviously not wedded forevermore to Vision Pro—would be far more accessible (and amenable) to the things I do with my iPhone and Apple Watch and AirPods. I want to use the (new) Siri, not Alexa. I want to use Apple’s longstanding detection modes, a natural fit for a wearable device like smart glasses. I want to get turn-by-turn walking directions in Apple Maps. Someone else may need/want to use VoiceOver. Or consider: How cool would it be to have a simplified, aural version of Hover Text whereby the system tells you a person’s name and/or contact information as you approach them in real time? Mayo said Apple is purportedly tinkering with “front cameras on the glasses will be arranged in an oval pattern, surrounded by indicator lights.” Such functionality would make in-person interaction more accessible to, say, someone with low vision (like yours truly) who has trouble spotting faces in tight spaces. Ergo, having the glasses discreetly say to me, Her-style, my sister is coming towards me would help prepare me to greet her properly.
As a point of (informed) speculation, I can confidently report those inside Apple who work on accessibility are keenly aware of the talented team at Be My Eyes. The iPhone app won last year’s App Store Award for Cultural Impact, and I can’t help but wonder if Apple would (will?) approach CEO Mike Buckley and his team at some point about some kind of partnership or integration with the company’s smart glasses. I’ve covered Be My Eyes and Meta’s various doings for its Ray-Bans; there’s zero technical reason Be My Eyes couldn’t similarly integrate with Apple’s own thing. iOS has detection modes which do more or less what Be My Eyes does, but Be My Eyes’ implementation is more robust only because it’s the main attraction, not a sideshow. The aforementioned folks within Apple Park who work on accessibility are incredibly savvy and smart, and I’d wager heavily—were I a betting man—that Be My Eyes has at least found a place on some conference room whiteboard during some design meetings.
Ultimately, what I’m saying is an Apple-branded pair of smart glasses could not only drastically move the needle in terms of sales and the cultural zeitgeist, such a product has immense potential to be a winner for the disability community too. Apple’s track record in accessibility is too established, and too strong, to at least not be cautiously optimistic the company’s glasses will prove itself game-changing for people like me.
Back to Mayo’s piece. As to release timing, he writes “the smart glasses project is purportedly on track to be announced either later this year or early in 2027, with an actual release in spring or summer 2027,” adding Apple is also working on so-called “advanced augmented reality glasses with integrated displays”—indeed, this is the holy grail of connected glasses—are “much further out” from seeing the light of day.
