Apple’s long-awaited AI smart glasses, expected to launch late next year, finally have an expected reveal date.
WWDC27 reveal
Earlier this year, it was reported that Apple’s AI smart glasses should be available for purchase by the end of 2027. That is still the case, according to today’s report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Now, however, we know that Apple is “currently aiming” to reveal the new glasses to the public at next year’s Worldwide Developers Conference.
The timing of this reveal could be an indication of what’s to come for Apple’s AI glasses. It seems unlikely that Apple would launch a new device at WWDC without also releasing some sort of way for developers to create software for the device. So, the glasses may be able to incorporate data and actions from third-party apps, just like the new Siri AI, rather than being limited to Apple’s first-party features.
If this pans out, it will be very similar to the Apple Vision Pro launch in 2023: the hardware and software were previewed months in advance so that developers could work on creating apps for the platform, and the final hardware was released later.
Privacy concerns
One reason for Apple’s glasses being delayed from their original expected launch date of late 2026 is their continued efforts to resolve privacy concerns. Existing products from the likes of Meta have drawn criticism, opposition, and even bans from those concerned about the privacy implications of glasses that have cameras attached. According to the report from Gurman, Apple is exploring multiple options. In addition to testing a device with no cameras at all, Apple is considering a software solution:
Another option that Apple executives have debated: including the full camera system but not allowing it to record photos or video at all. In this scenario, the cameras would be exclusively for seeing the world around the user and feeding that data into AI tools, such as ones that identify objects and places. This would be similar to what Apple is already planning for camera-equipped AirPods and would build on the visual intelligence features in the iPhone.
In addition to these efforts, Apple is also said to be “prototyping a slew of new hardware and software-related privacy features not available on current products”.
Wrap up
Apple’s AI glasses won’t include any displays, but are expected to be able to capture photos, listen to music, talk to Siri, take phone calls, and more. They are also expected to feature a unique and fashionable design to set them apart from competitors. Is this a product you would be interested in? Let us know in the comments!
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