Apple has been slow to develop an effective AI strategy, with its high-end Vision Pro headset failing to gain traction among consumers. Meanwhile, rival companies like Meta and OpenAI are making moves in the AI glasses market.
Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses have proven popular, with a new version featuring a small display reportedly in development. A higher-end prototype, Orion, has also been showcased. Google is testing its own smart glasses with a small display, partnering with Warby Parker to bring them to market by next year.
OpenAI, having purchased Apple design legend Jony Ive’s startup, is betting on AI revolutionizing consumer devices. With its multibillion-dollar purchase, OpenAI aims to create new hardware that leverages AI as the primary platform. This marks a significant shift from traditional mobile devices and could have far-reaching implications for Silicon Valley.
The development of AI glasses represents a major turning point in the tech industry, mirroring past innovations like the web on personal computers and cloud-enabled smartphones.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/05/22/apple-ai-glasses-2026