Apple Is Going To Surprise Us?
Rumors surrounding Apples AR
glasses have been circulating throughout the tech world for years despite such
speculations spanning over a period that feel like lifetime it seems that we
might be finally on the cusp of Apple’s next big product release. A recent leak
has revealed the most in-depth look to date at Apple’s potential wearable AR
device. Although the majority of leaks should be taken with pinch of salt in
current types, these have come from a highly respected and credible source, so
here’s what we know so far Apple’s AR glasses will be known simply as Apple
Glass which a rather fitting title is given the Apple watch. However this name
is incredibly reminiscent of Google’s attempt at a similar device. Apple glass
is said to be the final name for the glasses, however I wouldn’t put it past Apple
to change the label last-minute eye gloves would be especially in line with the
brand and might make more sense when we look at how glasses will operate.
Design wise Apple glass which is what we label them for the time being is
expected to be a sleek and stylish as any other offering from tech giant leet
prototypes look very much like traditional pair of glasses friendly and
approachable as opposed to overly futuristic in an attempt to really appeal to
the masses. Prototypes are being manufactured in black and white plastic although
this material is likely to be swapped out for something more premiums such as aluminum
or some sort of composite as we near close toward production. It’s also a
possibility that Apple will offer
multiple frame material for buyers to choose from similar to what is offered
with the Apple watch in the form of different straps. All of the house tech
will fit seamlessly into the frames of Apple glass with the most notable being
the lidar sensor which was it atop the tight hand side of the glasses for those
of you who are not familiar lidar at the most basic level.
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| Apple |
What Is This Lidar?
It’s a system that can 3D map an
environment by calculating the distance between different points. The lidar found
inside of Apple’s latest product gives us a great look as to what we can expect
to find inside the first gen of Apple glasses. Advanced lidar technology will
make using Apple glass are a breeze with no need to scan your environment
before placing objects measuring or virtually visualizing making for seamless
interaction between the wearer and surroundings. Lidar will also take care of
things like reading hand gestures and translating QR codes into 3D images. On the
latest iPad fro the lidar scanner and pair of cameras work hand-in-hand;
however Apple glass is not expected to house any camera or photographic
features. The general thinking behind this is that people will take negatively
face-to-face with someone wearing a face mounted camera that may or mayn’t be
recording. This is something that I can certainly relate to however I can’t
help but imagine how cool it would be an eye level camera that can record what
you see whenever you please. Some are saying that cameras might start to make
their way onto the Apple glass as they become more popular and widely accepted
but this is only speculation so only time will tell.
Something New For Charging?
Charging and the batteries of Apple
glass is said to happen through the use of a designated charging stand or
through the use of a wireless charging case, both would be a suitable companion
to the glasses and seeing as the first models are expected to have a battery
life on the shorter side having a convenient charging dock or carry case would
be a much welcomed addition. In regards to audio Apple glass are not expected
to have any built-in speakers or headphones. Apple’s recent developments where there
must have air pod pros suggests that they’re converted wireless in air
headphones will instead be pushed as a part of experience. This might seem as
if Apple is doing all they can to snag an extra product sale however including
any kind of built-in headphone will most definitely ruin the everyday wearable
design not to mention add unnecessary weight to the product.
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| Apple iPhone |
How Apple Glass Will Work?
Now getting to the important bits
you might be wondering how the glasses are actually going to function. The majority
of data processing is set to take place on a puppet iPhone which will not only
reduce the physical footprint of the glasses
but will also significantly reduce their cost overall, to facilitate this we
are expected to see some sort of short-range Wi-Fi capability to be built into
the iPhone 12 and future iPhones thereafter. Older devices will like be
supported as well but are predicted to offer limited capabilities or reduced
performance. As technology improves over the time we may eventually see all
processing take place independently within the classes but this will probably take
few versions as it did with Apple watch. Despite a few people being hands-on with
the Apple glass prototypes there is little known about the glasses user
interface what we do know is that starboard is supposedly to be the interfaces
name which is not all that different from iOS is springboard UI. What most is
expecting to see is a slimmed down version of the basic iOS that we are all
familiar with. Again somewhat reminiscent of what we can see on Apple watch but
with physical interactions being with hand gestures and voice command. A massive
feature that is incredibly exciting is that Apple glass is expected to be
released with embedded displays in each lens as opposed to projected ones that were
seen in Google glass. The result of this should amount to far crisper visuals
and a more immersive experience overall. The display is also said to only be
visible to the wearer and will be completely invisible to any outside viewers.
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| Illustration : Apple AR Glasses |
What about the cost?
Now I am sure that you’re all
wondering how much a pair of these AR glasses are going to cost, so let me put
you out of your misery and tell you that it’s probably a lot less than you
might think. The first gen Apple glass is set to retail at a rather reasonable
price of just $499 excluding the price of optional prescription lenses. This is
still a premium for a device that relies heavily upon another much more
expensive device but it’s still low enough to be widely adopted and to gain
traction as a popular mainstream purchase. Apples had very little to say about Apple
glass as a whole speculation surrounding its released date is to be expected. We
may see at Q4 of 2021 or even it can be stretched to 2022.
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