Katarzyna Petru
The year 2026 promises to be particularly intense for Apple. According to reports, the company is planning to launch over 20 new products, with one of the key highlights of this puzzle potentially being Apple Glasses. Although these will not yet be full-fledged augmented reality glasses, their debut could bring Apple closer to a product that has been an absolute priority for Tim Cook for years.
Apple Glasses as the first step towards true AR
According to information from Bloomberg, Apple Glasses may be presented at the end of 2026, although their actual sales might not begin until 2027. This would not be anything extraordinary. Apple has previously unveiled new product categories in advance, such as the Apple Watch or Vision Pro, giving developers and the market time to prepare.
Importantly, the first version of Apple Glasses will not offer augmented reality. Instead, it is expected to act as a smart accessory for the iPhone, much like the Apple Watch. The focus will be on Siri, AI features, and integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Tim Cook and his vision that has remained unchanged for a decade
As highlighted by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Tim Cook's vision has stayed the same for over ten years. The CEO of Apple dreams of lightweight, all-day AR glasses that would overlay information and images onto the real world. According to sources at Bloomberg, this is currently Cook's absolute number one priority – Tim is not interested in anything else. This is the only product on which he is truly focusing his attention from a development perspective – claims a person familiar with the matter. Apple's goal is to create a leading AR product faster than Meta and set the standard for the entire industry.
Vision Pro showed the direction, but was not a hit
Apple Vision Pro has not become a sales success, but it has fulfilled another, perhaps more important role. It demonstrated how Apple envisions the future of interaction with computers in the world of AR and VR. visionOS and the concept of “spatial computing” provide a solid foundation for future devices. ChooseTV Glasses aim to "slim down" this vision and bring it closer to everyday use. Although the first generation will be a technological compromise, its design and assumptions will become the foundation for future models with true AR.
When can we expect real AR glasses from Apple?
There is still no definitive answer to this question. The technology is not yet ready for a device that is both lightweight, efficient, and lasts all day. However, by the end of 2026, we may have a much clearer picture of how Apple intends to tackle this issue. One thing is certain. Apple Glasses will not be an end in themselves, but a transitional stage. For Tim Cook, it is another step towards a product that could define the future of the company and the entire technology industry.
