Apple Designing Chips for Smart Glasses That Rival Meta Ray-Bans

Apple is working on new chips that are destined for smart glasses that would compete with Meta's Ray-Bans, reports Bloomberg. The chip is in development now, with Apple targeting mass production in 2026 or 2027 for a launch in the next two years or so.

meta ray bans
The Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses do not have augmented reality capabilities, but are equipped with a camera and AI functionality. Apple has been considering a competitor for at least a year, and has apparently decided to move forward with development.

Apple's smart glasses will include cameras, microphones, and integrated AI, much like the Ray-Bans from Meta, and they would presumably have similar functions like snapping photos, recording video, and offering translation options. Apple could also integrate a Visual Intelligence-like feature for scanning the environment and describing objects, looking up information about products, and providing directions. The glasses will have multiple cameras included, so they could also potentially record spatial video.

The chip that Apple is designing for the smart glasses is based on chips that are used in the Apple Watch. These SoCs use less energy than the chips in devices like the iPhone, and Apple has already optimized it to improve power efficiency.

While Apple is designing the Ray-Ban like glasses to compete with Meta, it is still working on augmented reality glasses, but that product will not be ready for some time.

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Top Rated Comments

10anta Avatar
25 weeks ago
This will be both horrifically expensive and functionally reliant on the intelligence of Siri.

Seems a non-starter for me.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechWhisperer Avatar
25 weeks ago
I no longer trust Apple to deliver groundbreaking technology that captivates us. Once known for innovations that left us in awe, they now consistently lag behind, outpaced by competitors. It’s clear a $2.9 trillion company is struggling with AI. Fresh leadership is urgently needed to restore their edge.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jumpthesnark Avatar
25 weeks ago
I don't know if glasses like this (Apple, Meta, etc.) would have the capability, or if they would need to have more augmented reality features, but a device that allows for AI-powered live translation of written matter, signs, maps, names of streets and subway stations, etc. would be a boon to travelers if it meant they wouldn't have to stop what they're doing and point a phone at something.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cardfan Avatar
25 weeks ago
Apple doesn’t have AI to integrate.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThomasJL Avatar
25 weeks ago
Those Meta Ray-Ban glasses are creepy, but it’s no surprise considering that Mark Zuckerberg is creepy. When Zuckerberg was a student at Harvard in 2003, he made a website called Facemash (which was a precursor to Facebook) that showed pairs of photos of female students from Harvard's online ID directories, and asked users to choose which one was "hotter." Those photos were used without consent.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeerDrinkerDan Avatar
25 weeks ago
I saw the Meta version for the first time in the wild, worn by the son of a friend - we all met up for a drink - and was instantly shy/reluctant to look the son in the eye/etc. It's off-putting, at best.

-bdd
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)