Apple is actively exploring the potential of smart glasses, hinting at what could be its next major venture into wearable technology. The move comes amid growing interest in augmented reality (AR) and wearable technology that is changing the way people interact with digital content. According to Bloomberg report, Apple is currently conducting an internal study of smart glasses available in the market. The move hints at future product launches that could bring the tech giant into direct competition with Meta Platform Inc., which has already made progress in this increasingly popular category.

Apple recently launched a new initiative to collect information from employees about smart glasses, code-named Atlas, Bloomberg reports. The effort, led by Apple’s Product Systems Quality team within the Hardware Engineering division, began last week and includes plans for more focus groups in the coming weeks. The individuals sharing this information requested to remain anonymous, as the project remains confidential.

The company’s investigation into smart glasses is in line with its broader strategy of gradual entry into emerging technology categories. Apple’s process often involves thorough market research and a slow but calculated approach to ensure that its products are innovative and different from competitors. This method has proven successful before, as seen with the Apple Watch, which took the wearables market by storm despite joining Apple’s ranks after early competitors. By examining current smart glasses offerings, Apple can identify strengths and weaknesses, informing its own product design and functionality to provide a unique user experience.

Meta Platform Inc., through partnerships like its Meta Quest series and Ray-Ban Stories, has already staked a claim in the augmented reality and smart glasses arena. Meta’s vision for these devices combines social connectivity and mixed-reality experiences, and while the move forward has been gradual, the company’s continued investment shows it sees promise in this technology. If Apple enters the market, it could intensify competition with Meta by taking advantage of its huge user base, ecosystem and expertise in creating intuitive, user-friendly hardware. Apple’s entry could accelerate the adoption of smart glasses by consumers by introducing a new level of polish and integration with its ecosystem that could appeal to a wider audience. But this is only the first step of the real product. It may take several years for Apple’s smart glasses to hit the market.

This interest in smart glasses also coincides with Apple’s recent advances in augmented reality technology. The company is laying the groundwork for AR with the AR Kit platform, which allows developers to create AR applications for iPhone and iPad. Additionally, the newly released Vision Pro headset is Apple’s first major product in the extended reality (XR) field. While Vision Pro is geared towards mixed reality and immersive experiences, smart glasses can provide a more accessible, lightweight and portable solution that extends AR functionality to everyday use.

Entering the smart glasses market could strengthen Apple’s ecosystem, allowing users to access information hands-free, navigate or use Siri in a more immersive way. Apple is well-versed in creating highly integrated hardware and software solutions, and if it brings smart glasses to market, it will likely design them as a natural extension of the Apple ecosystem.

Apple is considering making a product something like Meta smart glasses. But, its approach could include creating smart glasses that would work like its already popular AirPods earbuds. A version in glass form would allow more battery life, sensors and better audio technology.

In conclusion, Apple’s exploration of smart glasses reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in consumer technology by fostering new categories. If Apple moves forward with a product launch, it could set new standards for smart glasses and expand the scope of augmented reality in ways that could redefine daily life.