Meta has emerged as a leading player in the field of Extended Reality (XR) after investing in this technology for over a decade. The company has gained significant recognition, particularly in the realm of Virtual Reality. A notable example of its success is the Ray-Ban smart glasses, which, despite not having a display, have been embraced by users for their functionality, featuring speakers, a microphone, and a camera.
Following the integration of Meta AI, these glasses have become even more appealing, with plans for a new version featuring an actual display anticipated by the end of the year. However, according to tech analyst Mark Gurman, Apple had the opportunity to secure a dominant position in this market but failed to effectively coordinate its internal efforts. The company has been contemplating a similar smart glasses product for quite some time, but this prolonged deliberation has allowed Meta to capture significant market share.
Gurman underscores this sentiment by stating, “Apple blew it to a social-networking company,” a critique that highlights Apple’s missed opportunities. While Apple recently released the Vision Pro—a premium Mixed Reality headset—its performance in sales did not meet expectations, indicating that the company still has strides to make in XR. Apple aims to develop a pair of augmented reality glasses comparable to Meta’s offerings, utilizing AI technologies that could potentially replace smartphones.
Yet, before Apple can fully realize its vision for smart glasses, it must address its internal challenges, particularly in the AI sector, which is currently lagging behind competitors like Google and OpenAI. Without improvements in this area, Apple’s plans for AI-powered smart glasses remain uncertain. As it stands, Meta has seized the moment, leaving Apple to play catch-up in a rapidly evolving market.