Apple Glasses release date is unlikely in 2021 even though it reportedly completed first phase of development

A prototype of the highly anticipated augmented reality Apple Glasses has reportedly passed the first phase of development. However, this progress is unlikely enough to make the device ready for a 2021 release date.

Apple Glasses could be released in 2022

DigiTimes reported earlier this week that the AR Apple Glasses is moving forward to its second phase of development. If things go smoothly, the prototype is expected to advance to the third phase of development in a matter of a few months.

Once all these stages are completed, the Apple Glasses will not immediately go into production. An engineering verification phase, where the hardware is likely to undergo final tests, will have to be performed and could last from six to nine months.

This timeline is likely mapped out with the assumption that Apple would not face any major dilemmas throughout the remaining stages of development. Even then, there does not seem to be enough time for the Apple Glasses to be released in 2021.

Speculations on the possible release of Apple Glasses this year may have been ignited recently. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is gearing up to launch an unidentified AR device this year. But considering the development timeline above, the Apple Glasses might not be unveiled until 2022.

Apple Glasses features: What to expect

One of the earliest references to Apple-made smart glasses can be found in 2006 when the tech giant filed a patent for a head-mounted device that was deemed a potential Google Glass rival. However, more specific details about the project did not come to light until last June when Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has been developing two glasses -- one that supports VR and AR (N301) and another that is AR-only (N421).

Since the N301 Apple Glasses supports VR as well, its description in the report suggests it is also going to be a headset device. Its prototype reportedly looks similar to Facebook’s Oculus Quest headset while the AR-only Apple Glasses is being designed as a “lightweight” device.

The VR/AR Apple Glasses is expected to focus on gaming and media playback, so it is planned to have its own App Store. It is also expected to sport AR glass features such as overlaying information so users can view notifications through its lens.

Featured photo by Badreddine Farhi on Unsplash