Apple may be rethinking its Augmented Reality (AR) strategy following Meta’s unveiling of its cutting-edge AR/VR prototype, Orion, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While Apple’s Vision Pro focuses on “spatial computing,” Meta’s Orion introduced revolutionary technology that could reshape the AR landscape.
Orion’s holographic displays allow users to see the real world through transparent screens, offering a more seamless blend of reality compared to Apple’s Vision Pro, which relies on external displays and cameras. The prototype also features electromyography (EMG), a new control method that tracks subtle muscle movements, offering more precise gesture control than current hand-tracking technology.
Meta’s approach, including its Wireless Compute Puck, which processes information without wires or bulky hardware in the glasses, presents a lighter and more comfortable experience than the Vision Pro’s battery pack.
Apple now faces several paths: continuing with a cheaper Vision Pro, integrating iPhones as compute modules for lighter headsets, or possibly creating standalone AR glasses. While Tim Cook’s vision of fully standalone AR glasses remains a monumental challenge, Meta’s innovation with Orion may push Apple to rethink its long-term AR goals.
Apple’s response to Meta Orion prototype and its advancements like electromyography in AR and transparent AR displays could lead to new developments in Apple’s AR strategy. While Apple has been working on cheaper versions of the Vision Pro, the launch of Orion has raised the stakes for Apple to keep up with the Vision Pro vs. Orion competition in the AR industry.
