Apple’s AR Glasses may still be in the works

If you thought Apple’s plans for augmented reality glasses had vanished, you’re not alone. Recent reports even suggested the tech giant had quietly shelved the project, much like its long-forgotten attempt to build a car. But according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet. They’re simply slowing down to get it right.

The original idea, codenamed N107, was pretty wild. The glasses would have looked like a stylish, everyday pair, similar to Ray-Ban’s Meta smart glasses, but with advanced projectors capable of overlaying images, video, and information directly into the wearer’s field of view. These wouldn’t have been standalone devices, though; they would have connected to a Mac to unlock new digital experiences.

But Apple decided not to rush things. Rather than rushing a stopgap product to market, Apple is reportedly taking its time on perfecting the underlying technology—like displays and custom silicon—before introducing a true game-changer. Gurman writes that Apple’s long-term goal of creating standalone AR glasses remains intact, even if the timeline is unclear.

It’s an interesting move because other companies aren’t waiting around. In the meantime, Meta, for example, is already showing off smart glasses like the Project Orion, which promises to overlay 2D and 3D content in real-time, Smaller brands like Xreal and RayNeo are also working on creating small eyewear that integrates display units directly behind the lenses. Even Amazon and Razer are making simpler models that focus on audio and phone calls.

Apple’s decision to pump the brakes might seem surprising given all this activity, but history suggests that patience often serves the company well. Apple's past success with products like the iPhone and Apple Watch suggests that waiting for the right moment—and nailing the execution—can make all the difference.

Meanwhile, there are already whispers about a more affordable version of the Vision Pro headset in development, potentially without the "Pro" moniker, hinting at Apple’s broader ambitions in the AR space.

So maybe it’s worth waiting to see what they come up with next. And who knows? One day soon, you might be wearing glasses that make your world just a little smarter.