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Apple Halts Vision Pro Overhaul to Focus on AI-Powered Smart Glasses

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Apple has paused development of its next-generation Vision Pro headset to redirect resources toward the creation of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses, according to a report by Bloomberg News citing people familiar with the matter.

The company had been working on a cheaper and lighter version of its $3,499 Vision Pro — code-named N100 — with a tentative release window in 2027. However, Apple reportedly told employees last week that development teams will now shift their focus to an AI glasses project, accelerating its timeline to compete directly with Meta Platforms’ smart eyewear.

The decision reflects Apple’s changing strategy in the face of slowing Vision Pro sales. The mixed-reality headset, launched in February 2024, received strong initial attention but quickly lost momentum amid limited mainstream content and competition from more affordable alternatives like Meta’s Quest series.

TWO NEW GLASSES MODELS IN DEVELOPMENT

Apple is said to be working on two distinct smart glasses models:

  • N50, the first version, will connect to an iPhone and will not include a display. Apple aims to unveil this model as early as next year, with a public release planned for 2027.

  • A second, more advanced model — equipped with a built-in display — is now being fast-tracked for release around 2028, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

The advanced model is seen as Apple’s answer to Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased in September along with a new Oakley-branded “Vanguard” model designed for athletes.

Apple’s upcoming glasses will reportedly emphasize voice control and AI-driven functions, integrating tightly with iPhone services and Apple’s growing ecosystem of on-device intelligence.

SHIFTING STRATEGY IN THE AI ERA

The move highlights Apple’s broader push to catch up in artificial intelligence, an area where competitors such as Google and Meta have been more aggressive.

At Apple’s September product launch event, the company introduced new iPhones and a slimmer iPhone Air, but industry analysts noted the absence of major AI announcements, raising questions about Apple’s roadmap in the rapidly evolving AI market.

By contrast, Google’s Gemini-powered Pixel phones and Meta’s AI-integrated wearables have taken the spotlight in the consumer AI space.

When contacted by Reuters, Apple declined to comment on the report.

If the timeline holds, Apple’s shift could mark a major strategic pivot from mixed reality to wearable AI, positioning its smart glasses as a potential successor — not just a companion — to the iPhone.

Apple Watch gains AI-powered high blood pressure notification feature

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Apple unveiled a new AI-driven health feature for the Apple Watch Series 11, launching Friday, that can notify users if they may have high blood pressure. The notification tool, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will also roll out to Apple Watch Series 9 and later models in over 150 countries.

Unlike a traditional blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer), the Watch does not measure blood pressure directly. Instead, Apple used machine learning to analyze sensor data from its large-scale Heart and Movement Study, launched in 2019 with 100,000 participants. Researchers identified patterns in the watch’s heart-related signals and validated the resulting algorithm in a dedicated study of 2,000 people.

The feature is designed to prompt users to check their blood pressure with a cuff and consult a doctor if alerts appear. Apple Vice President of Health Sumbul Ahmad Desai emphasized that the company has long pursued ways to detect hypertension, a condition affecting over 1 billion people worldwide, half of whom remain undiagnosed.

Cardiology expert Ami Bhatt called the rollout significant, noting it could help reduce risks of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease by prompting early detection. Still, she cautioned that the tool is not a replacement for professional diagnosis and carries risks of both false positives and false reassurance for those who don’t receive alerts.

The addition highlights Apple’s broader push into preventive healthcare, positioning the Watch as not only a fitness tracker but also an early-warning tool for chronic conditions.

Meta unveils smart glasses with built-in display, pushing toward “superintelligence”

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Meta Platforms introduced its first consumer-ready smart glasses with a built-in digital display at its annual Connect event in Menlo Park, California. CEO Mark Zuckerberg pitched the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses as the ideal gateway to the AI-powered “superintelligence” era, saying they can enhance communication, memory, and senses while allowing users to stay present in the real world.

The glasses feature a small digital screen in the right lens for notifications and basic tasks. Priced at $799, they will launch on September 30 and come with a wristband that translates hand gestures into commands such as answering calls or replying to texts. Despite some glitches during the demo, the product received applause from the developer audience.

Meta also launched Oakley Vanguard sports glasses for $499, designed for athletes with Garmin and Strava integration, nine hours of battery life, and real-time workout feedback. In addition, Meta refreshed its earlier Ray-Ban line with improved cameras and nearly double the battery life, now priced at $379.

Industry analysts remain cautious. While the Display glasses may not achieve strong immediate sales, they see the launch as an incremental step toward Meta’s more ambitious “Orion” glasses, targeted for 2027. Analysts compared the debut to Apple’s rollout of the smartwatch, suggesting glasses could evolve into an everyday alternative to the smartphone if Meta proves their value.

The unveiling comes amid Meta’s aggressive AI investments and recruitment push, but also at a time of heightened scrutiny over child safety on its platforms and past controversies around VR’s effects on younger users.

IDC forecasts AR/VR headsets and smart glasses shipments to rise nearly 40% in 2025, with Meta expected to drive growth—particularly through the more affordable Ray-Ban line co-developed with EssilorLuxottica.