AI-Driven Smart Glasses Could Transform Wearables.
The 2014 Google Glass failure left a negative mark on the perception of smart glasses, yet these devices could be on the verge of a resurgence. Despite the setbacks associated with Google Glass, both Meta and Google are fully committed to developing the next generation of smart glasses that blend style, utility, and generative AI into an appealing design.
Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, a venture capital firm based in Minneapolis, emphasizes this shift. In a recent blog post, he expressed optimism about the future of smart glasses, attributing it to consumers’ preference for user-friendly technology and growing trust in the potential of generative AI.
Munster elaborated that generative AI is facilitating advancements in wearable ambient computing. The objective is to create glasses that resemble traditional eyewear while incorporating generative AI capabilities through voice commands, integrated cameras, and sensors.
This innovation means that these smart glasses will be able to comprehend the surrounding environment, providing users with information about their surroundings. For instance, they could answer questions like “What type of plant is this?” or “Where did I leave my keys?”
Looking ahead, Munster forecasts that the market for smart glasses could expand to hundreds of millions of units annually within the next decade. This anticipated growth may prompt Apple to realign its spatial computing strategies to better compete with the wearable technologies being developed by Meta and Google.
In summary, while the initial attempt at smart glasses faced significant challenges, the combination of fashion, functionality, and advanced AI could lead to a new era for these devices, making them more accessible and useful for everyday consumers.
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AI has transformed smart glasses, enhancing their functionality and user-friendliness. According to Timothy Bates, a clinical professor at the University of Michigan-Flint, AI’s capacity to personalize and improve user interactions is essential. Features like voice-activated controls and context-aware information delivery elevate smart glasses from simple gadgets to vital tools, boosting their appeal in both consumer and enterprise sectors.
Mark N. Vena, president of SmartTech Research, emphasizes that AI can significantly enhance the attractiveness of smart glasses for mainstream users. By offering personalized and context-aware experiences, these devices can provide real-time translations, proactive notifications, and tailored content recommendations based on individual habits and preferences.
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Additionally, AI-powered advancements in voice and gesture recognition facilitate more intuitive hands-free control, making the devices easier and more natural to use. The integration of augmented reality capabilities allows smart glasses to overlay useful information, such as navigation prompts or product details, directly onto the user’s field of view, enriching daily tasks and interactions.
As AI continuously learns and adapts to user behavior, it makes smart glasses increasingly responsive, useful, and engaging. This evolution could lead to broader consumer adoption, transforming how people interact with technology in their everyday lives.
Outstanding Audio
Tim Bajarin, the president of Creative Strategies, a technology advisory firm based in San Jose, California, highlighted the convenience of using the 12-megapixel camera in his Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarers. By simply pressing a side button on the glasses, he can capture images of his surroundings. This feature also allows him to share live views with friends, eliminating the need to pull out his smartphone for a quick photo.
In addition to photography, Bajarin praised the exceptional audio quality of the smart glasses. He frequently uses them to listen to podcasts and music, finding it more convenient than using his AirPods. For navigation and information, he can effortlessly ask, “Hey Meta, where is the closest breakfast place to me?” and receive instant answers, including names, locations, and directions.
Matt Hames, associate vice president of digital and social strategy at 3 Enrollment Marketing in Oneonta, New York, added that the real challenge lies in how wearables interact with smartphones. He noted that tech companies are shifting their focus from virtual reality to developing wearables that enhance mobile functionality, emphasizing the potential for these devices to work seamlessly with phones.
The Significance of Fashion and Aesthetics
Ross Rubin, the principal analyst at Reticle Research, a consumer technology advisory firm in New York City, asserted that Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban is significant, as it shows the role that fashion and aesthetics have on this category where people are wearing something on their face potentially for the entire day. He noted that one of the reasons why Google Glass got such flack was because it was extremely conspicuous, whereas people do wear Ray-Ban style sunglasses, and it will be hard to distinguish them from ordinary glasses.
Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers for IDC, a market research company based in Framingham, Mass., noted that improvements in both design and tech have made the category more appealing since Google Glass, and the inclusion of AI has also improved overall usability and utility of smart glasses, elevating them from the simplistic headphone replacement use case that prevailed in the past.
Despite those improvements, the category still isn’t where the market wants the technology to be, maintained Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst at the Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore., who stated that the market appears to want something that has more augmented reality functionality without giving up the weight and battery life of the current batch, but the technology isn’t there yet to make that happen.
Apple’s Future May Include Smart Glasses
Apple has positioned its Vision Pro product as the future of spatial computing, but analyst Munster believes the company will eventually be attracted to smart glasses. He estimates that Vision Pro could generate between $25 billion and $50 billion annually, yet emphasizes the importance of smart glasses as a market opportunity.
Munster argues that smart glasses offer more utility than mixed reality headsets and warns that ignoring this market would be a costly mistake for Apple. He anticipates that the company will unveil next-generation wearables within the next five years.
Anshel Sag, a senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, agrees, suggesting that smart glasses could serve as an entry point into spatial computing. This initial experience may help users appreciate the enhanced capabilities of displays and 3D graphics in real-world settings.
As users become familiar with smart glasses, they may recognize the full potential of spatial computing. This growing awareness could drive Apple to develop smart glasses alongside its existing offerings, keeping the company competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
