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Tuesday, Feb 04, 2025
Outside the box.
Apple Abandons AR Glasses Project Amid Struggles with Technology and Market Demand
After canceling its autonomous vehicle project, Apple halts development of its AR glasses, which were set to compete with Meta's devices.
Apple has officially canceled its ambitious augmented reality (AR) glasses project, marking another significant setback in the company’s efforts to penetrate the XR (extended reality) market.
The glasses, known by the codename N107, were designed to compete with Meta's 'Orion' smart glasses and were expected to provide a consumer-friendly AR experience.
However, despite substantial investment, Apple faced considerable challenges in balancing technological innovation with affordability, with reports indicating the company struggled to create the necessary hardware and software at a price point accessible to a broad consumer base.
Sources familiar with the project revealed that Apple initially planned for the glasses to connect to the iPhone.
However, processing power limitations and battery life concerns arose, leading the company to shift to a solution involving a connection to a Mac computer, which offered greater processing power and a larger battery.
Unfortunately, internal reviews revealed that the Mac-connected configuration produced subpar performance, further stalling the project.
The cancellation of the AR glasses comes after Apple’s earlier decision to end its self-driving car initiative and the cancellation of customized Apple Watch displays in 2024.
Apple’s Vision Pro, which launched at a premium price of $3,499, was considered technologically advanced but failed to attract strong consumer demand.
Its high price point and bulky design were cited as significant obstacles.
While the Vision Pro has gained traction with enterprise customers, Apple’s broader vision for affordable, everyday AR glasses has remained out of reach.
The N107 cancellation underscores the ongoing challenge Apple faces in bringing its vision for a mass-market AR product to fruition.
In contrast, Meta has made more notable progress in the AR space, selling an estimated 2 million units of its Ray-Ban Stories.
Meta is working on a third-generation version, which will incorporate AR capabilities, set for release by 2027. Known as Artemis, the device aims to provide a consumer-oriented AR experience, overlaying digital content on the lenses.
Meta’s approach has positioned it as a leader in consumer-friendly AR technology, with a focus on integrating AR with everyday products like eyewear.
Apple’s AR glasses project was not the first attempt by the company to enter this market.
Previously, Apple pursued a similar initiative known as N421, which was canceled two years ago in favor of developing a new mixed-reality device.
The N107 glasses were intended to launch alongside the Vision Pro, but that plan has now been abandoned.
Apple’s struggle to develop a commercially viable AR product comes at a time when other companies, such as Xreal and Lenovo, are advancing with their own AR devices.
The cancellation of the N107 glasses highlights Apple’s broader difficulty in expanding beyond its core product lines.
The company had hoped to replicate the success of products like the AirPods and Apple Watch by creating an accessory that would integrate seamlessly with the iPhone and MacBook.
However, the lukewarm reception of the Vision Pro demonstrated that AR technology has not yet reached the point where it can be widely adopted by consumers, particularly given its high price, limited functionality, and the need for additional devices to support it.
Despite this setback, Apple remains committed to AR technology.
The company continues to work on various related projects, including updated versions of the Vision Pro and more affordable alternatives.
Apple is also exploring new technologies, such as micro-LED screens and artificial intelligence, which may eventually be incorporated into future AR devices.
While the N107 glasses project has been shelved, Apple is expected to continue its pursuit of AR, albeit with a revised strategy that takes into account the current limitations of the market and consumer demand.
The cancellation of Apple’s AR glasses signals the broader challenges facing the industry as it seeks to make augmented reality a mainstream product.
With Meta and other companies continuing to push forward with their own AR developments, the path forward for AR glasses remains uncertain.
The success of AR products will ultimately depend on overcoming technical hurdles, reducing costs, and gaining widespread consumer acceptance—a challenge that companies like Apple are still striving to meet.
The glasses, known by the codename N107, were designed to compete with Meta's 'Orion' smart glasses and were expected to provide a consumer-friendly AR experience.
However, despite substantial investment, Apple faced considerable challenges in balancing technological innovation with affordability, with reports indicating the company struggled to create the necessary hardware and software at a price point accessible to a broad consumer base.
Sources familiar with the project revealed that Apple initially planned for the glasses to connect to the iPhone.
However, processing power limitations and battery life concerns arose, leading the company to shift to a solution involving a connection to a Mac computer, which offered greater processing power and a larger battery.
Unfortunately, internal reviews revealed that the Mac-connected configuration produced subpar performance, further stalling the project.
The cancellation of the AR glasses comes after Apple’s earlier decision to end its self-driving car initiative and the cancellation of customized Apple Watch displays in 2024.
Apple’s Vision Pro, which launched at a premium price of $3,499, was considered technologically advanced but failed to attract strong consumer demand.
Its high price point and bulky design were cited as significant obstacles.
While the Vision Pro has gained traction with enterprise customers, Apple’s broader vision for affordable, everyday AR glasses has remained out of reach.
The N107 cancellation underscores the ongoing challenge Apple faces in bringing its vision for a mass-market AR product to fruition.
In contrast, Meta has made more notable progress in the AR space, selling an estimated 2 million units of its Ray-Ban Stories.
Meta is working on a third-generation version, which will incorporate AR capabilities, set for release by 2027. Known as Artemis, the device aims to provide a consumer-oriented AR experience, overlaying digital content on the lenses.
Meta’s approach has positioned it as a leader in consumer-friendly AR technology, with a focus on integrating AR with everyday products like eyewear.
Apple’s AR glasses project was not the first attempt by the company to enter this market.
Previously, Apple pursued a similar initiative known as N421, which was canceled two years ago in favor of developing a new mixed-reality device.
The N107 glasses were intended to launch alongside the Vision Pro, but that plan has now been abandoned.
Apple’s struggle to develop a commercially viable AR product comes at a time when other companies, such as Xreal and Lenovo, are advancing with their own AR devices.
The cancellation of the N107 glasses highlights Apple’s broader difficulty in expanding beyond its core product lines.
The company had hoped to replicate the success of products like the AirPods and Apple Watch by creating an accessory that would integrate seamlessly with the iPhone and MacBook.
However, the lukewarm reception of the Vision Pro demonstrated that AR technology has not yet reached the point where it can be widely adopted by consumers, particularly given its high price, limited functionality, and the need for additional devices to support it.
Despite this setback, Apple remains committed to AR technology.
The company continues to work on various related projects, including updated versions of the Vision Pro and more affordable alternatives.
Apple is also exploring new technologies, such as micro-LED screens and artificial intelligence, which may eventually be incorporated into future AR devices.
While the N107 glasses project has been shelved, Apple is expected to continue its pursuit of AR, albeit with a revised strategy that takes into account the current limitations of the market and consumer demand.
The cancellation of Apple’s AR glasses signals the broader challenges facing the industry as it seeks to make augmented reality a mainstream product.
With Meta and other companies continuing to push forward with their own AR developments, the path forward for AR glasses remains uncertain.
The success of AR products will ultimately depend on overcoming technical hurdles, reducing costs, and gaining widespread consumer acceptance—a challenge that companies like Apple are still striving to meet.
