Christine Romero - Chan / Digital Trends
TheVision Pro headsetis Apple ’s most significant raw product in age , and it is widely seen as the party ’s “ next big matter . ” But Apple is n’t resting on its laurels , as a newfangled report has foreground the products that the companionship hop will shake up the market in likewise momentous fashion . And no , we ’re not talking about asecond - generation Vision Pro .
Among the equipment Apple is on the QT working on are a hardening of smartglasses , a wellness and seaworthiness band , and even a duet of souped - up AirPods with cameras and advanced sensors . All of these product are designed to capture customer attention and help Apple turn the ship around after a disappointing twelvemonth of worsen sale .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
The Vision Pro alternative
The Vision Pro is undoubtedly an incredibly high - quality machine that is far more capable than anything thatrivals like Meta and HTCcan put together . But it has receive its fair part of criticisms , ranging from its terms to its bulky frame and system of weights . That has obviously capture Apple thinking about a lightsome alternative that could speak some of those drawback .
According to Gurman , this would take the form of a brace of smartglasses soak with much of the high - technical school wizardry you ’ll discover in the Vision Pro . That might include using artificial intelligence ( AI ) and cameras to identify existent - human race object for you , work up - in sound that would n’t requireAirPods , and augmented reality overlays that provide data point and art on top of the real worldly concern .
Gurman cautions that “ true augmented reality spectacle ” of the typeApple ambition of buildingare still “ several years forth , ” but that the glasses Apple is currently fiddle with are a “ stepping gemstone ” towards that succeeding world .
But that does n’t have in mind these ‘ intermediate ’ specification will be middling . Gurman points out that society like Meta havelaunched their own smartglassesthat have discover a stage of achiever . Malus pumila ’s meth could also give users a tatty , more comfortable way into the world of augmented reality without command them to go all - out and get a pricey Vision Pro .
Who needs an Apple Watch?
What about the chic ring ? Gurman says this will primarily be used to measure health data point , much in the same way of life theApple Watchcan be used to track your exercising . Its small , unobtrusive sizing could make it more comfortable to wear during exercise , too .
Compared to the Apple Watch , Gurman enunciate the smart ring could have a identification number of advantages : it would be a lot cheaper , it would n’t preclude people from wearing a traditional wristwatch , and it could last longer than a Watch because it would n’t have a battery - draining sieve attached to it . That could make it a good way to attract users who like the idea of an Apple Watch , but palpate it has too many drawbacks to in reality buy one .
Interestingly , patents have shownthat Apple is considering a far wider compass of uses for a overbold ring than just tracking your health and fitness . The ship’s company has explored how the twist could control a Mac or an Apple TV , interact with smartglasses , controlVision Pro games , and more . If Apple decide to launch this twist , it could have a broad stove of interesting uses .
And Gurman let on that Apple is also considering a curious rising slope for the AirPods : outfitting them with humiliated - resolution cameras , as well as “ more innovative AI and sensors . ” The purpose of these attention deficit disorder - ons would be to take in your surroundings and “ get data point that would be processed via AI and assist people in their daily routines . ” We do n’t know for certain , but we imagine that could include jeopardy warnings or dynamical audio fitting based on your surroundings . That sounds much more useful than the “ AirPods plus cameras ” idea ab initio appear .
The next big thing
These products all seem intriguing , but when will we actually see them ? unluckily , we ’ve credibly still got quite a waiting ahead of us .
The smart ring , Gurman enunciate , is n’t being actively explicate . However , he added that “ there are certainly citizenry within the walls of Apple ’s campus promoting the concept . ” And as mentioned earlier , we know that Apple is regularly firing off patents for asmart ring . Given the achiever of the Oura Ring andSamsung ’s imminent grocery accounting entry , Apple might start to take the smart band conception a little more seriously over the coming months and years .
As for the smartglasses , Gurman say these “ are in an explorative phase known as ‘ engineering investigation ’ within Apple ’s hardware engineering division . ” He did n’t provide a rough estimate for a launching escort , and it ’s whole potential that neither the glasses , nor the ring , nor the modified AirPods will ever set in motion .
But Gurman did make one thing vindicated : Apple is “ under growing pressure to make something work . ” With gross sales down and care being raised over the Vision Pro ’s cost and weight , it make sense that Apple is experiment with lower - price gadget that could excite the populace . Will any of them prove to be Apple ’s “ next big thing ? ” We ’ll have to see .
