Is Apple venturing into wearable glass headsets?

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Nov 17, 2016

Days after Snapchat launched its “Spectacles” camera equipped sunglasses, Apple is reportedly expanding into wearable glass headsets according to the press. Bloomberg first reported that the tech giant is working with suppliers on the project.

 According to Bloomberg, the glass headsets will show images and augmented reality, much like the discontinued Google Glass headset. Newsweek added that the glass headsets will connect wirelessly to iPhones.
 
Apple in October launched its iPhone 7 and sold more models than analysts anticipated. Despite beating estimates, the company continues to sell less iPhones than in previous years.

The company placed its focus on its Apple Watch, even partnering with brands like Nike for apps and Hermès on special edition watchbands, but the wearable continues to struggle against brands FitBit and Chinese electronics group Xiaomi.
 
The wearable glass headset technology is a new category for Apple. But the market seems untapped. Google Glass launched in 2012 and received much flack for video recording. The product was later discontinued and its social media accounts were deactivated. Snapchat launched its Spectacles in November after first announcing the product in September. The company opened a pop up in Venice Beach, CA to sell the wifi-enabled sunglasses that can record videos and take photos. Spectacles retailed for $130 and sold out on its launch day.
 
Newsweek claims that Apple CEO Tim Cook is interested in the wearable headset technology for its augmented reality capabilities. The publication quoted him in a July earnings call: “AR can be really great, and we have been and continue to invest a lot in this. We are high on AR for the long run. We think there are great things for customers and a great commercial opportunity.”
 
Apple declined to comment on its wearable headset project.