APPLE GLASSES? TRUE OR False?

According to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo — perhaps the most reputable and reliable Apple expert — Apple Glass won't be ready to ship until 2022 "at the earliest." However, a presentation shown internally at Apple and leaked to The Information sets the launch date as 2023.

But both could be wrong — Jon Prosser, a reputable Apple leaker, says Apple Glasses could come sooner than we thought. Prosser believes the launch is aimed for "March-June 2021." 

Prosser also says the company will announce Apple Glass before it's ready to ship, much like it waited several months to sell the first-generation Apple Watch after its debut. Apple allegedly wants members of the media present for the unveiling, so it could wait until in-person tech events resume.

I can’t believe I’m going against Kuo on this one... but I believe he’s wrong. 

Apple Glasses are aimed for March-June 2021. 

Also. 

I’ve seen them. 

They’re sleek as hell. 👀

Will be showing you soon 🤫 https://t.co/0GaOYDA5N8

— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) May 15, 2020

Apple Glasses price

According to Prosser the Apple Glasses are currently priced at $499, plus prescription fees. Now that may seem low, especially compared to competing augmented reality headsets like the Microsoft Hololens 2. 

Hololens 2 has a price tag of $3,500 but a big part of of its cost comes from having all the electronics needed to run the AR experience built into the headset. 

Apple Glass, rather, will rely on a companion iPhone for processing, so it will have significantly less parts and complexity than Hololens. It'll work more like the Vuzix Blade smart glasses, which have a built-in camera and Alexa integration.

Still, Vuzix Blade starts at $799. Apple's entry point is significantly more accessible, costing as much as some of it's top-specced smartwatches.

Apple Glasses design

The most current Apple Glass prototype reportedly looks like an “un-intimidating” pair of plastic glasses, while marketing materials suggest a Clark Kent-esque design. 

It has a LiDAR scanner on the right temple, but no other cameras for privacy reasons (although that could change.) The glasses also come with a plastic stand with wireless chargers.

Being an accessory to the iPhone will definitely has implications on the Apple Glass design. Though the glasses won't be lightweight as your Ray-Ban aviators, they could be light enough and comfortable enough to work as everyday glasses. 

There are no plans for the first generation of Apple Glass to come in a tinted variety. For the near future, you're stuck using your regular 'ole sun blockers. But if Apple Glass takes off, perhaps the company would consider expanding its offerings.