Apple reportedly working with Carl Zeiss on AR glasses

Apple is working on a pair of smart glasses. This is not the first time we're hearing this. Back in November 2016, Bloomberg reported that the Cupertino giant was working on AR (Augmented Reality) smart glasses that would pair with iPhone wireless and display contents in AR.

Now according to AR/VR evangelist Robert Scoble, Apple is working on AR smart glasses in collaboration with optics major Carl Zeiss. The confirmation comes for Carl Zeiss itself. Citing an unnamed employee at Zeiss during CES 2017, suggests that Apple's augmented reality / mixed reality glasses may be announced later this year.

The source said  Apple and Carl Zeiss are working on a “light pair of augmented reality/mixed reality glasses that may be announced this year.”

It's worth mentioning that Zeiss has expertise in VR headsets and cameras. Back in 2014, Ziess launched the VR One, the company’s own virtual reality headset to uses with smartphones.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has time and again expressed interest in AR and VR technology. “My own view is that augmented reality is the larger of the two (AR vs VR), probably by far, because this gives the capability for both of us to sit and be very present talking to each other, but also have other things visually for both of us to see,” Tim Cook had said in an interview to Washington Post last year.

Apple also has filed several AR-related patents in the U.S for things like street view in mapping apps, and smart glasses that make use of full-fledged virtual reality. The company is also said to be integrating AR functionality to iPhone camera app as well on the upcoming iPhones.

Moreover Apple has a full team dedicated to AR and VR research on how these technologies can be used in future products. 

Source | Via