So, let’s do a bit of spatial computing. TechDirt reports that despite months of hype from the tech press, sales of the Apple Vision Pro headset have been disappointing. The product faced criticism for issues such as lack of app support, short battery life, and the need for expensive prescription lenses. The tech press’s coverage created unrealistic expectations, and early adopters seem to have lost interest.
But, Apple Vision Pro has gained traction in the enterprise market. CEO Tim Cook revealed during the Q2 earnings call that it has been purchased by half of Fortune 100 companies. The device is being used in various industries, including aircraft engine design, team collaboration, and kitchen design. Despite its high price tag, Apple Vision Pro has potentially found a niche and is expected to be further discussed during WWDC in June.
According to Deloitte, spatial computing, defined as the convergence of physical and digital worlds, is still the future despite the underwhelming response to the Apple Vision Pro and other wearables. Deloitte believes that spatial computing will be the next level of interaction. Critical technology components such as sensor fusion, lidar, micro-LEDs, and spatial mapping software will be crucial in making spatial computing a reality.
In that space, Google is partnering with HP to commercialize Project Starline, a video conferencing technology with a “magic window” powered by AI and 3D imaging. The technology aims to create a more immersive and natural collaboration experience, allowing users to communicate as if they were in the same room. Project Starline uses high-resolution cameras and AI algorithms to capture and render live 3D images of participants without requiring VR headsets. The specialized display required for Project Starline makes it more suitable for conference rooms and offices. Google plans to add support for video conferencing services like Google Meet and Zoom.
Meta has announced updates for its Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, including a new cat-eye frame style, video calling feature, compatibility with Apple Music, and the availability of the multimodal AI assistant. The glasses can now be connected to WhatsApp and Messenger for video calls, and users can control Apple Music hands-free. The multimodal AI feature allows users to take pictures and receive contextual information from Meta’s AI. Meta reportedly plans to bring a HUD to the next generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in 2025.
Oh, and one more…Google showcased a demo of AI smart glasses with a heads-up display (HUD) at I/O 2024. The glasses were part of the announcement of Project Astra, a real-time multimodal AI assistant. The demo showed the glasses with a fixed HUD displaying audio input and AI responses. No specific product announcement was made, but Google expressed interest in glasses as a potential form factor for Project Astra. There was no mention of Android XR, the spatial computing platform, in the keynote.
Google snuck that one in there, so let’s not miss it. The glasses form factor continues to advance quietly. Let’s be skeptical of Apple’s declaration that simply purchasing a device might mean they’re testing it. The focus remains on watching for the use cases that matter. The mixed response to consumer wearables juxtaposed with potential enterprise success underscores the importance of targeting the right market segments with the right solution.
Sprinkle a little AI chat magic over this space, and there could be something here. Just not today.