Apple reportedly cancelled its plans for a pair of Mac-connected smart glasses earlier this week, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
The device, codenamed N107, was described as a pair of standard-looking glasses with built-in displays. These advanced projectors could directly display information, images, and videos onto the lenses. Apple was also working on adjustable tinting technology, allowing the glasses to adapt to different lighting conditions based on user activity.
A shift in priorities
This is the third major project Apple has dropped in the past year, following the cancellation of the microLED Apple Watch Ultra and its long-rumoured electric car. Reports from The New York Times suggest that Apple is reallocating resources towards generative AI, which is seen as a crucial part of the company’s future. With the iPhone remaining its biggest revenue driver, Apple appears to prioritise AI over ambitious hardware projects.
The future of smart glasses remains uncertain.
Despite the end of the development of Mac-connected smart glasses, Apple is reportedly still working on some of the key technologies behind the device. This includes microLED-type displays, which could be used in future products. A recent Bloomberg report also revealed that Apple is developing a version of visionOS for smart glasses, hinting that the company may revisit the concept.
