Apple developing smart glasses with custom chips, launch expected by 2027: Report
Apple is working on a new line of smart glasses, which could come in both augmented reality (AR) and standard display versions, according to a Bloomberg report published on Friday. The company is developing a dedicated chip for these wearables, based on existing Apple Watch silicon, to power the multiple cameras that the smart glasses might include.
The chip is expected to enter mass production sometime between late 2026 and 2027, hinting at a possible product release in that window. The glasses are part of Apple's broader push into wearables beyond the Apple Watch and AirPods, and they are expected to borrow some of the technologies from the Vision Pro, but in a miniature form factor.
Alongside the smart glasses, Apple is also believed to be working on full-fledged AR glasses, comparable to Meta's Orion project. Meta's second-gen Orion glasses are slated for a 2027 launch, and Apple appears to be aligning its plans to that same general timeline.
Internally, Apple is also working on custom chips for future versions of the AirPods and Apple Watch, again aiming for a 2027 rollout. This seems to be part of a larger strategy to bring more core technologies in-house, reduce reliance on third parties, and deepen hardware-software integration.
This includes the recently introduced C1 chip, the in-house developed 5G chip featured in the iPhone 16e, which delivers better power efficiency.
A key area of focus for the glasses could be visual intelligence features like real-time object recognition and contextual information. Apple has been quietly building these capabilities into the iPhone and other products, potentially laying the groundwork for their use in a heads-up display format.
If all goes to plan, Apple's smart glasses could become its next major hardware platform, something that fits into the company's ecosystem and potentially redefines how users interact with the digital world on the go.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
39 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Philippines eyes India, Thailand rice to reduce reliance on Vietnam
The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers like India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar Bloomberg By Neil Jerome Morales and Cliff Venzon The agriculture department is in talks with private importers on purchases from producers like India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Myanmar, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said in an interview on Friday. There may also be a 'deal' with Indonesia and Thailand, he added. 'We are trying to diversify sources to keep a level playing field,' Laurel said. Vietnam is 'the most reliable' supplier, but the fact that its shipments account for 90 per cent of the Philippines' rice imports could be a 'problem' in case of supply shocks, he said. The price of all rice varieties sold by Vietnam rose to a three-month high in April because of an 'uptick in buying interest from domestic and offshore traders,' according to data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Affordable prices of the staple grain are central to the agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also helmed the agriculture department before appointing Laurel in November 2023. His government slashed import tariffs from 35 per cent to 15 per cent last year and declared a food security emergency in February to tame runaway prices. That's helped slow overall inflation to its lowest level since 2019, giving the central bank room to further cut interest rates. Laurel expects this year's rice imports will be lower than in 2024 and won't exceed 4.5 million tonnes. His outlook compares with a forecast from the US Department of Agriculture that sees the Southeast Asian nation importing 5.4 million tonnes in 2025. Domestically, the country is on track to produce a record of 20.46 million tonnes in rough rice output this year, the secretary said. Meanwhile, the Philippines is facing a 17 per cent duty on its goods to the US, the lowest rate in Southeast Asia — after Singapore — under President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff agenda. Laurel said this presents an opportunity as it could make Filipino shipments to the US, particularly seafood products like tilapia and shrimp, more competitive than those of its neighbours.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
40 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Samsung's big bet: Perplexity AI could soon be everywhere on its devices
Samsung Electronics is close to finalising a significant partnership with Perplexity AI Inc, an artificial intelligence (AI) search technology startup, Bloomberg reported. The South Korean tech giant is negotiating to preload Perplexity's app and assistant onto its upcoming devices. Additionally, Samsung aims to integrate Perplexity's search features into its web browser. Talks have also covered incorporating the startup's technology into Samsung's Bixby virtual assistant, the report said. Samsung plans to unveil the Perplexity integrations as early as this year, with the goal of making it a default assistant option on the Galaxy S26, expected to launch in the first half of 2026. However, the specifics of the deal are still being finalised and may change, the sources noted. So far, the company has relied significantly on Google's Gemini to support a range of AI capabilities within its Galaxy AI suite. Significant investment in Perplexity In addition to the technology partnership, Samsung is expected to participate in Perplexity's upcoming funding round, potentially as one of its largest investors. Perplexity is currently in advanced discussions to raise $500 million at a valuation of $14 billion, the news report said. The collaboration could help Samsung lessen its reliance on Alphabet Inc's Google and position it to work with a broader range of AI developers — a strategy similar to Apple Inc.'s approach to its ecosystem. For Perplexity, this would represent its most substantial mobile partnership to date, following a recent deal with Motorola. The two companies began exploring a partnership earlier this year. In recent weeks, representatives from both sides met in South Korea and made significant progress toward finalising the agreement, the report said. In addition to embedding Perplexity's technology into Samsung's devices and Bixby, the companies have also discussed developing an AI-infused operating system and an app that can connect Perplexity's capabilities with other AI assistants. Apple's interest in Perplexity Meanwhile, Apple has also shown interest in collaborating with Perplexity. According to Bloomberg News, Apple has considered using Perplexity as an alternative to Google Search and as a replacement for ChatGPT within the Siri voice assistant. 'We've been pretty impressed with what Perplexity has done, so we've started some discussions with them about what they're doing,' Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice-president of services, said during recent testimony at a Google antitrust trial.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
41 minutes ago
- Business Standard
After WhatsApp, Meta may launch Instagram for Apple iPad: What to expect
Meta-owned social media platform Instagram is reportedly developing a dedicated application for Apple iPads. Following the recent launch of WhatsApp for iPads, it now appears likely that Meta could introduce a native version of Instagram for iPad. According to 9to5Mac, Meta is working on an iPadOS-specific version of the app optimised for larger displays. A 9to5Mac report citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman states that Meta is now 'full steam ahead' in its development of an Instagram application for Apple's tablet. Gurman noted, 'I'm told that employees on the Meta Platforms Inc. campus are actively testing Instagram for the iPad and that development work is full steam ahead. I would expect it to be released this year if all goes to plan.' Instagram for iPad: What to expect Optimised user interface: The app is expected to feature enhanced display scaling tailored for the iPad's larger screen, incorporating a refined layout that makes better use of the tablet's aspect ratio. Improved multitasking support: The native version will likely support iPadOS features such as Split View, facilitating easier navigation and improved interaction while multitasking with other applications. Exclusive layout options: The app may include design elements or interface modes exclusive to iPad, enhancing the overall experience. Upgraded Reels and video browsing: Users may benefit from smoother scrolling and enhanced video playback performance, with a more immersive, cinematic Reels experience in full-screen mode. Currently, iPad users can only access Instagram through the iPhone version of the app, which is not optimised for the tablet interface. This results in a stretched layout and subpar user experience, forcing users to rely on a zoomed-in iPhone app lacking features tailored for larger displays. Although specific details about the upcoming iPad version remain limited, the dedicated app is expected to deliver an interface that better aligns with tablet usage.
