Latest news with #XR
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Business Standard
17 hours ago
- Business Standard
Apple reportedly planning low-cost MacBook with iPhone chip: What to expect
Apple might be planning to launch a more affordable MacBook model, powered by an iPhone chip. According to supply chain analyst Ming Chi Kuo, the said MacBook is going to be powered by the Apple Silicon A18 Pro chip, which debuted on the iPhone 16 series. According to an X (formerly Twitter) post from Kuo, the more affordable MacBook, powered by the A18 Pro and sporting a 13-inch screen, is expected to be unveiled by 2026. At present, the most affordable MacBook model is the 13-inch MacBook Air which is powered by an M4 chip and costs Rs 99,999 in India. The anticipated A-series chip powered MacBook is expected to be priced significantly less than the current MacBook Air. Kuo says that with the introduction of this affordable MacBook, 'Apple aims to return total MacBook shipments to the COVID-19 peak of around 25 million units in 2026 (vs. an estimated 20 million units in 2025). The more-affordable MacBook is projected to account for 5–7 million units for 2026.' Further details about this MacBook might surface in the coming months. Apple might unveil multiple XR devices by 2028 In related news, Apple is expected to broaden its extended reality (XR) portfolio in the coming years, introducing a range of new head-mounted devices. As per Kuo, the company could roll out various products between 2027 and 2028 — including lighter headsets, smart glasses, and XR glasses with built-in displays. Kuo also suggests that Apple might debut an upgraded Vision Pro headset powered by an M5 chip by late 2025. However, 2026 may not see any fresh XR hardware releases from the company. Come 2027, Apple may unveil a much lighter XR headset dubbed 'Vision Air,' positioned as a more affordable alternative to the $3,999 Vision Pro. This upcoming model is rumoured to run on Apple's top-tier iPhone chip. In the same year, the company is also expected to debut its first pair of smart glasses. As reported by The Verge, these glasses could come equipped with features like voice control, gesture input, a built-in camera for video recording, and advanced AI-based environmental sensing.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Mentra Raises $8 Million To Launch Open-Source OS For Smart Glasses
San Francisco-based startup Mentra has raised $8 million to launch MentraOS 2.0, an open-source operating system designed specifically for smart glasses. The round includes some of Silicon Valley's most iconic names: Rich Miner (co-founder of Android), Jawed Karim (co-founder of YouTube), Eric Migicovsky (Pebble), Paul Graham, Y Combinator, and the venture arms of Toyota and Amazon. Mentra Live AI glasses willb be available in September. The company's goal is as ambitious as it is timely: to become the default software layer for a new generation of lightweight XR glasses. Founder and CEO Cayden Pierce calls it 'the Android for smart glasses,' built for continuous wear, real-time AI, and cloud-native applications. The platform already supports multiple hardware options and powers live captioning, translation, notifications, and an AI assistant. 'The hardware is finally ready, the AI is here—but there's still no OS,' Pierce said. 'We're not building hype demos. We're building the infrastructure for the next personal computer.' Mentra's approach flips the script on much of the XR industry. While companies like Meta and Google are building vertically integrated platforms with tightly controlled app stores and bulky headsets, Mentra is targeting openness, modularity, and utility. Its open SDK lets developers create apps that work across devices. The Mentra App Store allows multiple apps to run simultaneously, accessing real-time sensor and user context—something Pierce says is essential to glasses that are meant to be worn all day. The app that runs Menta's system-within-a-system. The idea began seven years ago when Pierce, then a university student, read a study showing that students with live captions retained more information than those without. 'That clicked for me,' he said. 'Subtitles are intelligence-extending. I wanted that all the time. So I built a captions app for glasses, and realized there was no framework for it. That moment started everything.' MentraOS now runs on hardware from Even Realities and Vuzix, as well as the company's own devices. This fall, Mentra will launch Mentra Live, the company's modular camera-and-audio smart glasses kit aimed at enterprise and developer users, now available for pre-order at $249. It begins shipping this fall. Menta Live includes a front-facing camera, microphone, speaker, and full support for the MentraOS SDK. The company's caption-enabled display glasses are expected in early 2026, with pricing expected to fall between $339 and $599 depending on features. MentraOS is also compatible with third-party hardware like the Even Realities G1 and Vuzix Z100, giving developers multiple entry points into the ecosystem. Co-founder and Head of Software Alex Israelov (l) Founder and CEO Cayden Pierce (c) Nicolo ... More Micheletti, Founding Engineer and Head of Apps (r) While hardware is part of the story, the business case revolves around the software platform. Mentra's App Store will generate revenue through developer subscriptions and app sales, following a model similar to Apple's or Google's—albeit with a more flexible, developer-friendly cut. 'We're not trying to own the whole stack,' Pierce said. 'We want hardware makers to adopt MentraOS so their users can access real apps, built by real developers.' Pierce spent time at the University of Toronto with Steve Mann, one of the inventors of wearable computing, and later joined the MIT Media Lab under Pattie Maes. He met co-founder Alexander Israelov while building open-source smart glasses out of an RV in Canada. Menta has a growing community of over 4,000 developers and a growing number of partners in enterprise and education. 'Dozens of apps have already been built on MentraOS,' said Menta's founding engineer Nicolo Micheletti."From live translation and proactive AI to calendar reminders and language learning. And this is just the beginning. With Mentra Live, our camera-equipped smart glasses, we expect an entirely new wave of visual AI apps like real-world games, AI-powered tour guides, fitness assistants, and cooking coaches."
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
Apple just asked Vision Pro users something it never dared to before
Apple appears to be doing more than just listening — it's actively probing the mixed reality landscape. A new user survey sent to Vision Pro owners this week includes a revealing set of questions about competing devices, including Meta's Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses. Apple's latest Vision Pro survey hints at growing interest in the smart glasses market. | Image credit — PhoneArena The bulk of the survey asks Vision Pro users about the usual fare: comfort, display clarity, Guest Mode usefulness, and whether they use accessories like the external battery clip or optional travel case. But buried in the list are questions aimed squarely at Apple's competition — something the company doesn't always acknowledge so asks users whether they own a Meta Quest 3, Quest Pro, PlayStation VR, Valve Index, or other VR headsets — all of which are direct or indirect competitors in the XR (extended reality) space. Probably the more interesting part to take notice of here is that Apple is also asking about smart glasses in its questionnaire, listing Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, Amazon's Echo Frames, and Snapchat Spectacles. Apple doesn't currently offer any smart glasses of its own, but based on this line of questioning — and previous rumors — it seems increasingly clear that it wants to enter that space soon. Apple's first smart glasses are expected in 2027 with audio, cameras, and AI-powered awareness. | Image credit — EverythingApplePro According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's first-generation smart glasses are already deep in development, with a launch currently expected in 2027. The Apple Glasses — as we are currently calling them — will reportedly feature audio playback, integrated cameras, voice and gesture controls, and even some AI-powered environmental awareness. In other words, they'll be positioned to compete with Meta's Ray-Bans (not full-on AR headsets) as Apple builds its wearable ecosystem. Kuo also believes Apple is preparing a separate pair of 'XR Glasses' with a built-in display, scheduled for 2028, and a lightweight Vision Air headset set for 2027. The Vision Air will reportedly weigh 40% less than today's Vision Pro and cost significantly less thanks to iPhone-grade internals and simplified optics. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's roadmap for Apple's XR upcoming devices. | Image credit — Ming-Chi Kuo The fact that Apple is now surveying users about Ray-Ban-style wearables might suggest the company is taking those devices and the market segment they represent very seriously. With Meta gaining traction in the smart glasses space through partnerships with Ray-Ban, and Amazon iterating on its Echo Frames, Apple seems keen to understand user awareness and expectations before entering the race. That's a smart move, especially with Apple's Vision Pro still positioned as a premium niche product. The company likely sees future success in lower-cost, lightweight, AI-enabled wearables — and surveys like this one help shape the roadmap. Funny thing is that Apple is still lagging behind on the AI front, with its "smart" assistant severely outpaced by the competition. That said, the company's continued interest in XR wearables implies that it feels confident in catching up. For now, it's unclear whether Apple is leaning toward a 2026 or 2027 release for its first smart glasses. My guess would be late 2027, as we expect the more advanced AI features and the long-awaited Siri 2.0 in 2026, so I doubt that Apple would be ready with its first pair of XR glasses too. But with internal research, roadmap leaks, and public signals like this survey all pointing in the same direction, Apple's next big wearable push might already be taking shape. We might not have to wait until next year to see new XR hardware from Apple. An updated version of the Vision Pro is reportedly set to launch later this year, likely alongside the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro — which are expected to debut in September. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Apple plans seven new Vision and Smart Glasses devices by 2027, says analyst
Despite the recent lull surrounding Apple's Vision Pro headset, the tech giant's ambitions in the wearables space are far from over. According to a new report by reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple has a long-term roadmap for seven different head-mounted products—including future iterations of the Vision Pro and a brand-new line of smart glasses—set to roll out through the end of this decade. Kuo claims that Apple continues to view head-mounted devices as 'the next major trend in consumer electronics,' and is investing heavily in a diverse range of products designed to span both high-end extended reality (XR) experiences and mass-market smart wearables. Apple's $3,499 Vision Pro may have cooled off in headlines, but it's not being left behind. Kuo reports that an upgraded version of the Vision Pro will enter mass production in Q3 2025. This update will reportedly feature a shift from Apple's M2 chip to a newer M5 processor, but is otherwise expected to remain nearly identical in form and function—a relatively minor iteration that may not move the needle for consumers hungry for something new. Vision Air The real shift may arrive in 2027 with what Kuo calls the Vision Air—a "substantially lighter" XR headset aimed at a broader audience, reports Mashable. By ditching premium materials like titanium for lighter magnesium alloy, and scaling back on sensors and glass components, Apple is said to be targeting a 40 per cent reduction in weight compared to the current Vision Pro. The Vision Air will reportedly be powered by the same processor as that year's flagship iPhone, and, crucially, will launch at a much lower price point. A redesigned and more affordable Vision Pro successor is also in development, Kuo adds, but it won't arrive until the second half of 2028. Apple Smart Glasses Perhaps more intriguing is Apple's entry into the smart glasses category. Kuo reports that a Ray-Ban-like wearable—inspired by Meta's popular Ray-Ban Meta glasses—is on track for mass production in Q2 2027. These Apple smart glasses won't feature displays but will offer audio playback, voice control, gesture input, and AI-powered environmental sensing, making them ideal for contextual tasks, notifications, and seamless daily interaction. Think of them as a more intelligent version of AirPods—on your face. Apple's smart glasses are expected to lean into AI in a big way, aiming to provide intuitive functionality beyond what current competitors offer. XR Glasses Apple is also said to be developing XR Glasses featuring LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) displays, voice control, and gesture recognition. These will reportedly take things further in terms of immersive functionality, potentially rivaling AR offerings from Meta and Xiaomi. Interestingly, a separate display-tethered accessory for the Apple Vision Max was under development but has now been shelved—though not entirely canceled, according to Kuo. Five of the seven head-mounted Apple products have confirmed production timelines, most of them clustered around 2027—a year that could become Apple's biggest leap in the AR/VR/smart wearables category yet. That said, competition is heating up fast. Meta, Xiaomi, and others are already on their second or third iterations of smart wearables, and Apple risks losing the first-mover advantage.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Apple plans multiple XR devices by 2028 to expand Vision Pro lineup: Report
Apple is reportedly planning to expand its extended-reality (XR) lineup with multiple new devices over the next few years. According to noted supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the US technology giant may unveil several new head-mounted wearables between 2027 and 2028, including lightweight headsets, smart glasses, and display-equipped XR glasses. Kuo said Apple is likely to launch an M5-powered version of its Vision Pro headset by the end of 2025. The following year, 2026, is expected to see no new XR hardware launches from Apple. In 2027, however, the company could introduce a 'substantially lighter' Vision Air headset, which will reportedly be priced lower than the current $3,999 Vision Pro. This device is expected to be powered by Apple's flagship iPhone processor. Apple may also launch a pair of smart glasses in 2027. According to a report by The Verge, the glasses could support voice control, gesture recognition, video recording via a built-in camera, and feature 'AI environmental sensing'. Mass production timeline As per Kuo, Apple's XR hardware will enter the mass production phase as follows: Vision Pro (M5-powered version): Q3 2025 Vision Air: Q3 2027 Second-generation Vision Pro: H2 2028 For XR smart glasses: Smart glasses (Meta Ray-Ban-like): Q2 2027 XR glasses with display: H2 2028 XR display accessory: H2 2026 Competition in XR space Apple's move comes amid rising competition from companies such as Meta and Google. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that Apple's upcoming smart glasses may resemble Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, but with a more refined design. Meta recently partnered with Oakley, a brand owned by Luxottica, to introduce the Oakley Meta Glasses—smart eyewear targeted at athletes and outdoor users. These glasses feature 3K video recording, up to 8 hours of battery life, and a charging case that adds 48 hours more. The first model, Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, will be available for preorder from July 11 at $499, in select markets including the US, Canada, the UK, parts of Europe, and Australia. Meanwhile, Google demonstrated its Android-powered XR glasses at the I/O 2025 conference. These glasses offer messaging, navigation, real-time translation, and photography through built-in lens displays. In a blog post, Google said the glasses, when paired with its Gemini AI assistant, can access contextual information using onboard cameras, microphones and speakers, without needing to access a phone directly. With Apple entering the space more aggressively, the competition in the XR segment is expected to intensify over the coming years.
