Apple delays its smart glasses to build privacy features rivals don't have

Apple's smart glasses have been pushed back again. The device, codenamed N50, was previously expected to be revealed later this year ahead of an early 2027 launch. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is now targeting a reveal at WWDC in June 2027, with a late 2027 release to follow.

Gurman reports that teams developing the glasses within Apple's Vision hardware group are delaying the release due to privacy concerns with smart glasses. The report adds that Apple is working on several hardware and software privacy features not available on current smart glasses products.

On the software side, the company is expected to adopt a similar approach to Meta's recent update, which remotely turns off the camera if the recording indicator light is tampered with. Apple is also planning to process AI features on-device rather than in the cloud, will not send footage to human reviewers or contractors, and will not use recorded video for AI training.

3

More dramatic options have also been considered internally. Apple explored building a version with no camera at all and tested a prototype without one. Another option discussed was including a full camera system but restricting it from taking photos or video, limiting it purely to AI scene analysis.

Both are considered unlikely to ship, as the camera is central to the device's appeal. The glasses will otherwise feature speakers and microphones for music, calls, and Siri, alongside AI functions.

3

The delays also come as smart glasses face increasing scrutiny over privacy. Meta's Ray-Ban glasses have been at the centre of several controversies, from contractors reviewing intimate recordings captured without consent to users tampering with the recording indicator light to film others secretly. New York recently banned smart glasses in schools, while hospitals have introduced similar restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this news using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

When is Apple now targeting the reveal and release of the N50 smart glasses?

Click to reveal answer

Question #2

What specific software privacy measures is Apple planning to use instead of cloud video uploads?

Click to reveal answer

Question #3

How will Apple handle AI processing and use of recorded footage on the N50?

Click to reveal answer

Question #4

Did Apple test prototypes of the N50 without a camera, and why were those options considered unlikely?

Click to reveal answer

Have a question not listed here? Ask below and TweakBot will answer it.

Your questionAsk

Answering your question×

TweakBot is analyzing your question…

Could not get an answer

TweakBot is generating an answer

Read More

Was TweakBot helpful?Thanks for the feedback!

Considering everything around smart glasses, Apple's caution is hardly surprising. As much as people are eager to see a serious competitor to Meta, shipping later with stronger privacy protections is probably better than rushing into the same controversies everyone else is trying to escape.