Rumors abound regarding the release date of Apple's AR glasses - but when is the big question.
Over the last few weeks, the Apple rumor mills were buzzing with unconfirmed reports that Apple could release their first AR glasses by the end of 2022. Not long after those 2022 rumors started circulating, newer rumors shifted the glasses' debut date to the first quarter of 2023. The reality is that nobody knows the exact date Apple will finally release its first AR glasses, not even Apple.
Of course, Apple probably has a date in mind but it is most likely a moving target as AR headsets that are in the form of glasses that everyone would want to wear are very complicated to make. In talking with some key component companies who could provide the technology for these types of glasses, they point out that some of the technology critical in making consumer acceptable AR glasses are still not ready for prime time. I am hearing that some of the critical optical and extra small electronics needed for AR glasses might not even be ready by early 2023.
Apple is a very smart company and has a proven mantra that they follow when it comes to product debuts. That mantra is that they will not release a product that is not fully tested, has all of the functionality they have designed into the first generation product, is durable, and meets all of their high standards for quality in hardware and software.
One thing that they do have a jump on is application software that could be used in their AR glasses. Apple introduced AR Kit in 2017 and worked with developers to create applications for use on iPads and iPhones already. However, Apple has not said anything about an AR Glasses OS and an inevitable AR glasses developer kit that is surely in the works today.
This would be part of having all of the proper technologies, hardware, and software ready along with their AR glasses in place before they ever release AR glasses of their own.
One other thing that has now become part of the AR glasses journey is the need to include mixed reality-like features into Apple's glasses functionality. When Apple introduced AR Kit in 2017, the emphasis was strictly on real-time images, data, and information overlays that would make up any AR experience.
Since then VR and mixed reality applications have evolved and it is clear that Apple needs to add mixed reality functionality along with AR in any AR glasses they bring to the market. They seem content to give the VR functions to more bulky VR headsets and those who make them, which will focus more on gaming and vertical markets.
At the end of the 2017 WWDC where Apple introduced the AR kit, I had an opportunity to spend some one-on-time with Apple CEO Tim Cook to discuss AR. He told me then that, "I am extremely excited about AR and that it may be one of Apple's greatest contributions to the tech world." Given his excitement about AR and Apple's potential impact on the tech world and mankind in general, you can bet that Apple will only release a product that is worthy of this prediction. And at this point, only Apple knows when this will happen.
