Wearable Computing & Fashion

Acer has officially entered the smart glasses market with two new devices unveiled at Computex 2026. Introducing the AR Vision GR0 and GI0 AI glasses.

The key difference between these two new products is that the GR100F is for viewing content through AR-style display glasses, think of it as a wearable external monitor, while the GI100 is more like Meta Ray-Ban-style AI glasses.

Let's start with the GR0 model GR100F. This external display features dual micro-OLED 1080p screens that enable a 172-inch display to be projected 6 meters from the viewer.

Apple is reportedly developing a new blood pressure sensing feature for the upcoming Apple Watch, one that goes beyond the current hypertension notifications and could perhaps require a hardware upgrade.

According to Digitimes, the feature is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and could debut on the 2026 Apple Watch Ultra 4, which may also receive a major redesign and improved health sensors.

The current hypertension notifications, introduced in September 2025 with watchOS 26, use heart sensor data and machine learning to detect signs of chronic high blood pressure over a 30-day period. But, the current hypertension notifications are designed as an early warning message, not a proper diagnostic tool.

We got the chance to try out ASUS's ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses at CES 2026 earlier this year. We were immediately impressed with its micro-OLED technology and ability to project a massive 171-inch virtual screen with a 240 Hz refresh rate and 0.01ms response time. This week, ASUS announced that global pre-orders for ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses are now open, with current pricing at $849.99 on Best Buy.

ASUS notes that since their debut at CES, the ROG XREAL R1 Gaming AR Glasses have undergone "months of meticulous optimization" and are now positioned as a device offering "universal compatibility" with the gaming handheld market, including the ROG Ally lineup. When paired with the right gear and software, you've got intuitive controls and the ability to manage multiple PC, console, and handheld inputs via the included ROG Control Dock.

Some of the coolest features we got to experience at CES 2026 have also made their way into the final retail model, including the ability to anchor the virtual screen in an environment, making it feel more like a large physical display. On top of this, you've got the sort of direct control you'd expect from a premium display, with the ability to adjust brightness, screen size, aspect ratio, tint levels, and more, in real-time.

According to a new report over at MacRumors, citing sources within Apple, the company currently has no plans to launch a new Vision Pro-like headset. And this all stems from the initial Vision Pro and M5-powered refresh failing to garner a sizable audience. Apparently, Apple has sold only around 600,000 Vision Pro headsets since its initial launch, and, for an Apple product, the company has seen an "unusually high percentage of returns."

Naturally, one of the big hurdles for the Vision Pro becoming a runaway success was its high price tag of $3,499. And although the M5 refresh also improved weight distribution and battery life, along with a 10% performance bump and support for 120 Hz, it wasn't enough to move the needle.

Another big hurdle for the Vision Pro, and one now reinforced by lower-than-expected sales, is that virtual and augmented reality headsets are still widely viewed as niche products. And even for fans of the immersion these types of headsets provide, they're certainly not an everyday or all-day device like a laptop or smartphone.

While others like Meta have leaned on big-name eyewear brands to make their tech glasses look less like a science project, Apple seems to be taking the road less traveled. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, Apple could launch some or all of the four styles it is currently testing for its smart glasses. Instead of partnering with brands like Ray-Ban, the iPhone maker is doing something very Apple.

Apple's design team has created at least four styles available in multiple color options, including black, ocean blue, and light brown. The designs include a large rectangular frame similar to Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a slimmer rectangular option, a larger oval or circular frame, and a smaller oval or circular alternative.

Internally codenamed N50, the glasses will compete directly with the second-gen Ray-Ban Meta model. To differentiate from Meta's offering, Apple's design incorporates a camera setup with vertically oriented oval lenses surrounded by lights. Like Meta's smart glasses, Apple's version will be simple wearable spectacles with integrated cameras for photos and video, microphones, and sensors, but designed to sync more tightly with an iPhone.

ASUS has just unveiled its new ROG XREAL R1 AR gaming glasses, that can project a massive 171-inch 1080p 240Hz Micro-OLED virtual screen at 171 inches.

ASUS has worked with XREAL on the new ROG XREAL R1 AR glasses -- if you didn't already get that from the name of the glasses -- and are the world's first gaming glasses that use a 240Hz Micro-OLED panel with a 1080p resolution, blasting a virtual monitor space of 171 inches at 4 meters away, with a 57-degree expanded view.

ASUS says that the AR glasses cover 95% of the focused viewing area and new features, using a high-end Bose sound system with a 3D soundstage. ASUS says its new ROG XREAL R1 AR gaming glasses feature electrochromic lens technology, making the lens adapt automatically to changing light conditions and adjusting lens transparency.

Lenovo has jumped into the AI smart glasses market with the unveiling of V1, a pair of smart glasses that are lighter than any other competitor.

One of the biggest problems when it comes to smart glasses is the bulkiness that users have to endure, and while companies such as Meta are ironing out this issue with each new generation, AI smart glasses are generally still thicker and heavier than a traditional pair of reading glasses. This isn't surprising, given that AI smart glasses need to house all the necessary components within the glasses' frame, but the weight trade-off may outweigh the functionality they offer, making them a dealbreaker for some users.

Lenovo is looking to scoop those users up with the AI Glasses V1, which come in at just 36g, making them lighter than the Rokid Glasses, which weigh 49 g. The V1 glasses are only 1.8mm thick and feature a resin diffraction waveguide display that has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. Additionally, the V1 glasses support a 15 x 11 mm eye-box, which assists in keeping visuals stable as the user is moving their head. Users can also switch between monocular and binocular display modes.

Nike has announced Project Amplify, which it describes as the "world's first powered footwear system" that is aimed at sliding on the foot of athletes who want a second set of calf muscles.

That last sentence is ripped directly from the Nike press release, which states Amplify isn't designed for pro athletes that are looking to shave a few seconds of their latest record, but instead, it's aimed at athletes that want to move faster and farther with less effort, "in effect, a second set of calf muscles". According to Nike, Project Amplify is best used by someone who is running a 10-to-12-minute mile pace, and the development of the product has come after it was tested on over 400 athletes over the past several years.

Despite Nike unveiling Project Amplify, the company states it isn't ready to bring it to market just yet, and that it will remain in development until its release is ready "in the coming years". Project Amplify is for both running and walking, and is engineered to augment natural lower leg and ankle movement, providing support for wearers and an "unparalleled boost to anyone who wants to move".

Apple is reportedly shifting its focus from overhauling the Vision Pro headset to developing a pair of smart glasses that will rival Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses.

The news comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, known for having his finger extremely close to the pulse of what is happening inside Apple. Gurman wrote in a recent Bloomberg piece that Apple has "hit pause" on the development of its planned overhaul of the Vision Pro headset, which included the company creating a cheaper, lighter version of the original headset.

The cut-down version of the Vision Pro was slated for release sometime in 2027, but now it appears plans have changed. It appears Apple has recognized the potential of smart glasses technology, particularly in the form factor of sunglasses, as Gurman reports the company is working on at least two types of smart glasses.

The MetaConnect 2025 keynote conducted on Wednesday gained quite a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons, as multiple demos failed in front of live audiences. Now, Meta's chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, has explained what happened behind the scenes to cause the failures.

For those who haven't seen the video circulating online, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attempted to make a WhatsApp video call with Meta's next-generation AI glasses on stage, but was unable to due to a bug. Zuckerberg said, "This, uh... it happens." Adding, "Let's try it again. I keep messing this up."

That wasn't the only demo that failed during the event; another involved content creator and chef Jack Mancuso, who asked Meta AI to help him make a steak sauce out of the ingredients he had in front of him. Meta AI went off script and was unable to fulfill the request. "You already combined the base ingredients," the AI told Mancuso, who was looking at an empty bowl and a table full of ingredients.

The future is here - the "next chapter of human-computer interaction" no less - and it's embodied in an AI-powered headset (of sorts).

Tom's Hardware spotted the revelation of Alterego on X by the co-founders of the company Arnav Kapur (CEO) and Max Newlon (COO). As you can see, it's billed as the "world's first near-telepathic wearable that enables silent communication at the speed of thought".

The best way to swiftly grasp the concept is to watch the wearable - which is worn on the ears, and rests around the back of the head - in action. The wearer simply thinks and Alterego picks up those thoughts, in a fashion. However, it isn't actually reading your mind - the conclusion a fair few commenters on X (and elsewhere) immediately jumped to. I'll come back to how it works in a moment.

Meta is currently preparing to release its first smart glasses with a dedicated display, and according to reports, the glasses will be cheaper than initially anticipated.

A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a known industry insider with a reliable track record for the movements of big tech companies operating in Silicon Valley, suggests that Meta is prepared to accept lower margins to boost demand for the upcoming smart glasses. Notably, the new glasses are being called Hypernova internally, and are a precursor to the fully-fledged augmented reality glasses the company is striving towards.

Gurman writes that the new glasses will be unveiled sometime next month, and they will feature a small screen for mini apps and alerts. The screen will be located in the right-hand lens of the smart glasses and can be controlled with the included wrist accessory. As for the unreleased product's price, previous estimations pegged the price tag to be $1,000, which is a steady jump from the $200 to $400 Meta Ray-Ban glasses that don't feature any displays.

Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone has entered prototype production, with the P1 (Prototype 1) hitting production in the last few weeks.

In a new report from DigiTimes picked up by insider @Jukanrosleve on X, we're hearing that Apple's supply chain said the new P1 (Prototype 1) for the foldable iPhone went into prototype production in June, with the potential to complete the Prototype development process before the end of the year. After which, it'll enter EVT (Engineering Verification Test) and then the new foldable iPhone will reportedly launch in the second half of 2026.

Supply chain sources also teased that Apple's original plan for new products includes a larger-sized foldable iPad, which will join the foldable fray with the iPhone Ultra. Apple will be releasing its new foldable iPhone first -- which we've heard is called the iPhone Ultra -- with the foldable iPad reportedly "temporarily put on hold".

Apple didn't hit the mark with its uber-expensive Vision Pro headset, but that hasn't deterred the company's ongoing efforts in wearable technology, with a new report providing some more details on Apple's cheaper Vision Air headset.

The new Apple Vision Air headset will feature an all-new form factor, and it will be significantly lighter -- somewhere around 40% lighter than the Vision Pro -- suggests a new report from insider Ming-Chi Kuo. In a new post, Kuo said that the new Vision Pro will be powered by Apple's latest flagship iPhone processor, with mass production expected in Q2 2027.

Apple's new Vision Air headset will have its 40% weight reduction achieved through glass-to-glass replacement, extensive magnesium alloy use (titanium alloy is deemed too expensive) and a reduced sensor count. Kuo notes that the new Vision Air headset will have a "significantly lower" price point than the Vision Pro, too.

Meta is slated to become the first company to release smart glasses that feature a screen for displaying apps and photos. The new pair of smart glasses could be released as early as the end of this year.

According to unnamed sources familiar with the project who spoke to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Meta is working on a pair of premium smart glasses that will be priced at more than $1,000, with the price hovering somewhere around the $1,300 and $1,400 mark.

These smart glasses are gearing up to be industry first as Meta plans on implementing a screen for displaying photos and apps, which is unsurprisingly the main component driving up the total cost of the glasses. According to Gurman, the price hike versus the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses ($299) can be attributed to the monocular panel (screen) located within the right lens's lower-right quadrant.

Visual intelligence could be heading to Apple's smartwatch line up as the company is exploring its implementation into the wearable devices with the additional of cameras.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman explained that Apple is exploring the idea of adding cameras to its smartwatches, which would be paired with visual intelligence features, illustrating Apple's overall intention to integrate AI into its catalog of devices. Gurman explains the main idea of Apple Watches gaining cameras and visual intelligence would be to enable users to query their watch about the surroundings of the user.

The smartwatch feature would be similar to the new Visual Intelligence feature on iPhones, where users can long press the camera button and be presented with a new interface that lets them choose if they want to take a picture of something and have it analyzed by Google Search or ChatGPT. This feature isn't very well known or used due to it currently being locked to the iPhone 16 series, but it's expected to be adopted further when Apple releases iOS 18.4 next month, and it becomes available on the iPhone 15 Pro.

Smartwatches seem to quite often hit the headlines for their lifesaving potential, and Google has just announced the arrival of a feature for its Pixel Watch 3 in the US along these lines.

Yes, the 'Loss of Pulse Detection' functionality - launched last year in the EU - has finally come to watches in the US. It does pretty much what it says on the tin: if the watch fails to detect any pulse at all, it can take action to get the wearer help.

Google tells us:

Garmin have opened their showing at CES 2025 by announcing the Garmin Instinct 3 series of outdoor-focused smartwatches.

Available in both AMOLED and Solar display and packed within durable metal-reinforced bezels - the rugged new lineup caters to both adventurers and athletes alike.Sporting all of the activity and wellness tracking you'd expect from a Garmin watch, the Instinct 3 notably offers a whopping 24 days of battery life in the AMOLED model.

Battery life and a focus on detailed activity tracking are generally the key features that attract users to the Garmin range. To contrast, Apple and Samsung Galaxy Watches generally require charging on a daily basis - prioritizing brighter OLED displays, higher refresh rates, and more extensive smart features/app availability. 

NVIDIA has just filed a patent for AR glasses, which would use an innovative augmented reality display system that transforms optical occlusion through digital holography.

The patent was picked up by "seti_park" on X tagging tech evangelist and XR enthusiast Robert Scoble, with NVIDIA's new AR glasses patent being one of the things that were NOT on my bingo card for 2025.

The patent explains that the backlight-free augmented reality glasses using digital holography would be "implementing sophisticated self-interference techniques with incoherent light, the system achieves superior occlusion performance while significantly reducing power consumption and form factor compared to conventional backlit AR displays. This subtractive display approach marks a fundamental shift from traditional additive AR display methods"

Apple's new flagship Watch Ultra smartwatch will reportedly have non-emergency satellite messaging capabilities, just like the iPhone received earlier this year.

In a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new Apple Watch Ultra will also be adding the long-rumored blood-pressure monitoring feature. We've heard about satellite messaging on the Apple Watch Ultra before, but Gurman reports that it would work like it does on the iPhone, allowing wearers to send text messages from their Apple Watch Ultra without a 4G/5G or Wi-Fi connection.

Apple is also reportedly removing the Intel cellular modem out of the Watch Ultra, and in its place will use a MediaTek chip, with the new cellular chip expected to be included in "at least some models" in 2025. The new blood-pressure monitoring feature has been in the works for a while, but will be great to see materialize next year.