Who here remembers Google Glass? Now who regrets that the project isn't a thing anymore? Well, I don’t know if you’ve raised a hand — I can’t really see you through the screen — but I’ll tell you this much: I did. So I'm really hoping that some other company picks up where Google left things off. A company like, say, Meta.
AR glasses, as a concept, are really exciting to me. Sure, my smartwatch already tells me almost everything that I’d want a pair of AR glasses to show me, but that’s precisely the point: I want to see that info as part of the real world or as a heads-up display (HUD).
I mean, the idea of seeing my health stats and notifications at the upper right of my vision just sounds way more exciting than checking my wrist. Plus, then you’ve got all of the other things that just make more sense in AR, such as live translations, navigation and everything else that I imagine Iron Man can do from his suit.
So then, we can expect said prototype to have nothing to do with anything shown in this trailer.
But I know what you’re thinking: where did that title come from? Well, in fact, it’s based on a quote from Andrew Bosworth, said CTO of Meta. And the entire thing goes a little bit like this:
We’ve actually been playing with it this year. It’s probably our most exciting prototype that we’ve had to date. I might get myself in trouble for saying this: I think it might be the most advanced piece of technology on the planet in its domain. In the domain of consumer electronics, it might be the most advanced thing that we’ve ever produced as a species.
Wowser! I truly can’t imagine what this prototype may look and feel like, or what it could be capable of.
Quite honestly, I also can’t imagine how said prototype can be the pinnacle of human production, but only in the consumer electronics realm, but that’s another story. But I do appreciate Andrew’s excitement!
So, let me ask the real question: if this prototype is the best thing since warm water, then why is this the first time we’re hearing about it? Why haven’t we seen it yet? Well, we don’t know. But we know this: it’s not part of Meta’s roadmap regarding smart glasses.
Here's how Google Glass looked. I think that there's much to be desired in the realm of design.
Even though Andrew is very much interested in the idea of putting screens on the Meta smart glasses and trying to make AR on them a thing, the prototype in question sounds like it has nothing to do with that line of products.
And that would be because it’s so insanely expensive to produce.
That being said, Bosworth does talk about it as if actually making a consumer product of this prototype is some sort of endgame. The CTO fully understands that a lot of price reduction and production optimization needs to happen before that, so hopefully this means that we won’t be comparing prices with the Vision Pro.
Here’s the deal: Meta isn’t the type of company to keep things under wraps for long. Historically, the company has been pretty transparent regarding its technical achievements, often openly showcasing and explaining prototypes in very early stages of work.
So this really has me wondering: if such an advanced prototype of AR glasses — as of now, an untapped market, one that a lot of us are waiting to see populated — why not show it?
Well, maybe some of us just aren’t prepared to see what “the most advanced thing that we’ve ever produced as a species” feels like in action. But hey: 2024 is finally here, so I hope that Andrew is right and we get to learn more about this prototype soon.
Hey, remember how after the Vision Pro got announced, everyone was suddenly making headsets? Well, through this prototype, Meta could have it's very own, similar moment, but for the realm of AR. Wouldn't that make 2024 even more special?
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Stan, also known as Stako, is a smartphone enthusiast who loves exploring the limits of Android customization. His journey with mobile tech began with the Nokia 5110 and evolved with devices like the BlackBerry 9350 Curve and Samsung Galaxy A4. Despite his love for Android, he holds equal respect for Apple, considering the iPhone 4s as a significant milestone in mobile tech. Stan started his writing career early, contributing to MetalWorld, and harbors a passion for creative writing. Beyond smartphones, he's interested in photography, design, composition, and gaming, often preferring solo projects to hone his objective thinking. He's also an avid student of open-source technology and consoles, with a special fondness for the Pebble Watch, Arduboy, and Playdate.
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