Apple has announced its 32nd annual Apple Worldwide Developers Conference or more widely known as WWDC. Similar to last year this year will be a digital-only event, which will be free for all developers, and 2021 has Apple users excited for the latest developments. Starting on June 7th, the latest invite has kept the tech world guessing about what to expect.
We can expect IOS updates and new product launches, but Apple’s latest picture release invite has been a tease to those expecting the long-awaited augmented reality glasses or AR Glasses that have been rumoured to be released for years. The memoji used in the invite showcases a person opening a MacBook, with glasses on, showing what seems to be a reflection of the apps in use on the screen, however, it is thought that the lenses in the glasses themselves could be generating the apps. The memoji glasses have been featured in other Apple invitations too, such as the Swift Student Challenge which showcases a different set of reflections in the lenses and encourages further speculation from the tech world.
The Potential of AR amongst consumers
Apple is known for releasing technologies in alignment with supporting third-party software developers and giving them time to create programmes for the new tech and the demand for AR and VR is shown to be growing - especially amongst consumers.
(The Potential Use of AR and VR Applications in 2025. Image: Source)
The sheer potential that AR and VR have in the consumer world will change the way consumers use their technology and a predicted announcement regarding Apple’s AR glasses makes it monumental for the company. The statistics above compare the use of AR and VR applications in both the enterprise and public sectors, as well as the consumer side of use and further highlights the demand for AR with video gamers.
It is rumoured that this year’s announcement will give third party developers the opportunity to create innovative software that will work with the AR glasses. Apple will certainly have Apple first primary apps when creating their glasses and upon release will align with the creation of software developments outside of this. The problems that current VR headsets are posing are linked to the hardware often being too heavy which is something that Apple has revealed that they are trying to avoid.
Established Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has outlined that although AR is at the forefront of the developments at Apple at the moment, the hardware is a large considering factor that they are developing, taking into account stylish shapes and weight. Predicted to be released in 2025 the apple AR glasses announcement could be made this year at the WWDC and potentially released sooner than we think.
These glasses are predicted to be priced at a similar price point to an up to date iPhone so could be more accessible, financially to people, than initially thought. Ming-Chi Kuo outlined that the order of release could mean that there will be an AR and VR headset release before the AR glasses themselves, predicted to be released over the next few years.
The development happening within AR at Apple means that traditional glasses wearers will still be able to use the AR and the product and may even be developed into contact lenses within future years. It’s being reported that by 2025, it is estimated that the global eyewear market is expected to reach 210.8 billion U.S. dollars. This presents an opportunity for AR companies to take a slice of this massive pie.
Although this is not on the immediate horizon for Apple, the Apple glasses is expected to be a catalyst for further AR developments. As expected Apple is playing their cards close to their chest so it is still unclear as to whether Apple Glass will release an AR or VR headset. With the Covid-19 restrictions due to relax soon, the timing of this new release couldn't have come at a better time.
(Image: Source)
Of course, the announcement of Apple’s AR glasses is only a prediction at this time, but it seems that expert opinions and statistics show that it is an extremely likely possibility and one that the tech world will be happy to receive.
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