Apple plans to radically change the perception of its future smart glasses by shifting the focus from entertainment features to health and sports. According to Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman, the company is considering positioning the new gadget as a full-fledged fitness device, similar to Apple Watch.
Fighting the paranoia of hidden recording
The main reason for the change in direction lies in consumer psychology. Modern headsets with built-in cameras cause people legitimate concerns about privacy. The fear that the device could be used for covert video recording often becomes a barrier to purchase. A clear focus on sports and health tracking is intended to remove this negative backdrop and shift the focus to the benefits of the gadget for the owner.
New job postings confirm the change in direction
The intentions of the tech giant are confirmed not only by rumors but also by personnel decisions. Apple has begun searching for a specialist to lead product development in the health and fitness sector for its line of visual devices. The requirements for candidates include experience in creating consumer medical or sports products, as well as the ability to build a concept under conditions of high uncertainty.
Why Vision Pro didn't fit for sports
Initially, Apple engineers considered the possibility of turning the Vision Pro mixed reality headset into a fitness tracker. Plans included using the sensor system to track body movements and displaying heart rate or calories burned on the screen in real time. However, implementation encountered physical limitations.
The weight of Vision Pro exceeds 500 grams, which creates a critical load on the neck during intense workouts. Full integration of sports functions has been postponed by the company until a lighter body is created.
When to expect fitness glasses?
According to experts, full-fledged fitness capabilities will appear not in the first release of Apple's compact smart glasses, but in the second generation of the device. This will allow the company to release a product that is convenient to wear both during work and while running, completely solving the problem of excess weight.
