Apple Smart Glasses: 5 Expected Features Including AR, Siri Support And Voice Calling

Apple is expected to make both software and hardware-related announcements at the World Wide Developers Conference 2017 (WWDC 2017) Monday 1 p.m. EDT. The company is expected to launch new versions of iOS, WatchOS, TVOS and a premium iPad, a Siri Speaker and a pair of smart glasses.

Of all those expected announcements the smart glasses seemed the least likely until a Reddit user called FoxconnInsider revealed the features of the device in an ask-me-anything (AMA) session where it was referred to as‘Project Mirrorshades’.

Read: Apple To Create Snapchat Spectacles Competitor? New Report Claims Cupertino Giant Working On Smart Glasses With AR

“Rough bill of materials of Project Mirrorshades – Apple Iris Kopin NED Acetate frame Polarisized or prescription lens with Zeiss smart optics, bone induction modules for Microphones (noise cancellation), light sensor Accelerometer for step tracking and head movement, app navigation, Magnetometer for navigation, Capacitive Pavel Ceramic battery Apple chipset Charging circuit in a BL5 Induction module,” the user stated.

While Apple has been silent as usual on its upcoming announcements, it has in the past been rumored to be working on Snapchat Spectacles-style smart glasses with “hundreds of engineers” engaged in the project.

Apple smart glasses are expected to be focussed on augmented reality (AR) rather than camera and video technology unlike Snapchat Spectacles. It might not even feature a camera due to battery and size concerns. In terms of design and features, it might seem closer to the now-discontinued Google Glass.

Here are some of the expected features of the rumoured device, expected to be priced around $600:

AR features: AR is expected to be the major focus of the Apple smart glasses. As CEO Tim Cook stated in the past, the company is interested in AR even more than virtual reality. The device couldlet users play AR games or even scan objects and provide user information by just looking at them. While it is not known yet, there is a chance users might be able to give commands using their eyes, for example, “blink twice to start game.”

Siri Support : As a concept, smart glasses is an old example. A prominent one was Google Glass, which failed mostly because of its price and lack of features. So, Apple’s take of the device needs to be something different than previous devices and have features to entice the user. One such expected feature, revealed by FoxconnInsider is Siri support. If, as indicated, Apple’s smart glasses are Siri-Supportive, it could introduce a never-before attempted level of interaction between a user and the smart glass. It would mean the device could actually be ‘smart’ and capable of taking user feedback as well as providing information in reply.

Prescription Glasses Compatibility: According to FoxconnInsider, Apple smart glasses are expected to be compatible with prescription glasses and would have Carl Zeiss smart optics built-in for such variants.

Noise Cancellation and light tracking: The device is expected to feature noise cancellation and light tracking, essential for AR-based gaming. Light tracking is a system, which highlights objects in a user’s line of sight to put a special focus on them.

Read: Apple Hires NASA Augmented Reality Expert For Team Working On AR Smart Glasses And Future iPhones

Voice calling and GPS: According to FoxconnInsider, the device is expected to have microphones in a setup, where it is connected with the iPhone and will allow the user to answer calls without taking the phone out.