Optimistic renders of what Apple Glass could look like – Image Credit: AppleInsider
Apple is reportedly custom-tailoring specialized chips, with the needs of the Apple Glass in mind.
Apple’s internal silicon design team is behind the creation of chips used in the Apple Silicon line. After handling processing on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the team are now working towards chips for other major product categories.
People familiar with the plans told Bloomberg on Thursday that there are chips being made not only for new Macs. It’s also working on chips for smart glasses.
Apple Glass processing
The challenge that Apple faces for Apple Glass is that it has to fit into a very lightweight design. One that has constraints on weight, physical size, and power consumption. A custom chip evidently fits in as part of the solution.
According to report sources, the processor for the smart glasses will be based on chips used in the Apple Watch. The versions used in the wearable require less energy than counterparts in Apple’s mobile devices, in part because they have been customized to leave elements out.
The smart glasses chip, meanwhile, will also have to deal with processing feeds from multiple cameras on the frames, pointing out into the world.
It is expected that mass production of the chips will start by the summer of 2026 to make a debut in hardware by the end of 2026 or into 2027, under the eyes of chip partner TSMC.
AR and non-AR
The actual Apple Glass hardware itself may not necessarily offer the highly touted augmented reality functionality, as a first smart glasses release could leave that element out entirely. Even after years of development, augmented reality is still impractical to offer in smart glasses.
Apple is reportedly working on two versions of smart glasses, supposedly under the codename N401. A non-AR version will follow in the footsteps of hardware like Meta’s RayBan partnership, which can handle calls, photography, and works with a digital assistant.
For Apple’s non-AR glasses, it is still working on the possibility of using cameras on the headwear to scan the environment. With cameras potentially being added to the Apple Watch and to AirPods, this could help expand the external awareness of Apple’s AI.
Chips being made for the AirPods to handle this functionality are allegedly named “Glennie,” while a counterpart for the Apple Watch is apparently “Nevis.”
