Apple Is Working On Smart Glasses To Compete With Google Glass

Ilustrasi Apple Glass (Youtube Jon Prosser)

JAKARTA - After acquiring the NextVR startup, Apple increasingly intends to realize Augmented Reality (AR) eyewear devices. The product, which will be called Apple Glass, will be connected to the iPhone and iPad.

According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple Glass has been planned since 2015 or early 2017. Unfortunately, that year, Apple still couldn't make it happen.

"The estimated release date for Apple Glass is in March 2021 or 2022," Ming-Chi said, as quoted by CNET, Wednesday, May 27.

Apple also doesn't want to repeat Google's failure when making its smart glasses. The company from Cupertino is more ambitious in making its devices more stylish and comfortable to wear.

As a comparison, Google Glass only embeds a small prisam lens. Meanwhile, Apple will implement a conventional eyeglass size for its smart glasses device.

According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple Glass will not have a conventional camera like Google Glass. Instead, Apple embedded a LiDAR scanner to add to the AR experience. LiDAR is very useful in mapping what the sensors and companion cameras can see.

Trying some of the LiDAR-enabled AR apps I can find for the 2020 iPad Pro, to show meshing. Here's one called Primer, an early build to test wallpaper on walls pic.twitter.com/SatibguyTm

- Scott Stein (@jetscott) April 14, 2020

The device will also be embedded by a QR Code scanner in the upcoming iOS 14 AR app which will launch a 3D experience when scanning codes at locations, such as Starbucks. Apple Glass will scan these codes and use them to quickly launch an AR experience.

In terms of design, Apple Glass eyeglass frames will use materials that are lighter and more affordable. And it is possible that Apple will collaborate with well-known manufacturers to design these smart glasses.

So far, there hasn't been much leakage from Apple about its smart glasses. However, if released, Apple will sell its modern glasses for 499 US dollars or the equivalent of Rp. 7 million.