UMVA has learned that Apple has scrapped plans to release a new version of its VR/AR headset, the Apple Vision Pro, for the foreseeable future. This shocking move comes as a blow to fans of the device, which was praised for its impressive technology despite being criticized for its hefty price tag and limited capabilities.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Apple's CEO-in-waiting, John Ternus, signed off on the company's decision to focus on developing smart glasses instead of new AR headsets. The company has reportedly canceled development on the Vision Air, a rumored lighter version of the Vision Pro, and is instead pouring resources into two different lines of smart glasses.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Apple is working on audio- and AI-focused spectacles comparable to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, as well as AR-focused smart glasses akin to the Meta Display glasses. The audio/AI glasses are expected to hit the market in 2027, while the wave-guide-powered display models won't arrive until 2029.
The decision to shift focus away from AR headsets and towards smart glasses has left some fans of the Apple Vision Pro feeling disappointed. One recent adopter of the device lamented the news, saying that while the technology is "jaw-droppingly impressive," it's just too expensive and limited for widespread adoption.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that Apple's move makes sense, given that people seem to want smart glasses, but it's still a drag for fans of the Vision Pro. The question on everyone's mind is: what does this mean for the future of full VR/AR devices?
With both Meta and Apple pulling resources out of their flagship VR headsets, the dream of mass adoption of VR seems dead. However, that doesn't mean there's no future for the technology. Full-immersion virtual reality seems to be returning to its roots, with niche uses for the technology likely to support smaller companies putting resources into VR.
UMVA has gathered that Apple's smart glasses are just one part of a larger trend in the tech industry. As the market continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future of VR/AR is looking very different from what we expected just a few years ago.
