Thursday, 23 July, 2020 UTC
Summary
The Apple glasses I would wear
What would it take to make me replace my iPhone with AR glasses?
Incoming call on Apple glasses. UI credit: Strahil HadzhievApple glasses are coming. Their first version would most likely be only an extension of your iPhone (like Apple Watch’s 1st generation) but after a few iterations the AR glasses would probably grow into a standalone product that wouldn’t necessarily need the company of your iPhone. Not only that but it will replace your iPad, watch, TV, Macbook and even your desktop computer. What would the user experience be then?
1. Appearance
First of all, their appearance will have to be socially acceptable. The design has to be appropriate for normal everyday activities, like at work, at parties, at dinner, in the gym, etc. So in order for me to wear them — I think they should very much look like ordinary glasses.
The frames will probably come in different shapes and colors but one thing is for sure — the glasses will be transparent (vs tinted). This way I would be comfortable with wearing them at work, in front of my computer and also in dimmed rooms and environments.
Apple glasses should look like ordinary glasses so people are not afraid of you when they see you on the streetTrending AR VR Articles:
1. How to use subtle AR filters to survive your Zoom meetings?
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3. Augmented reality (AR) is the future of Restaurant Menu?
4. Creating remote MR productionsit’s rumoured that Apple’s glasses will be called Apple Frames
It’s quite possible for Apple to come up with a “special edition” glasses shaped like the iconic Steve Jobs round glasses.
2. Navigation
Let’s talk about Voice. Many people believe that the upcoming AR glasses will mainly be controlled by voice. I don’t think so. Yes, Siri will be an integral part of the user experience but it can’t be the main way to control the experience.
Imagine you are using your favourite messaging app and you have to send a complex text string to your colleague at work (like a password with upper and lower case characters). Or may be you are chatting with your significant one on the subway. It would be uncomfortable to say all these things out loud. So there must be a discrete way to navigate the experience. Remember we are talking about a robust experience that would allow you to write emails, retouch photos in Photoshop and even work in complex 3D and editing softwares. Voice clearly cannot be enough there.
So what then?
I’ve been following Apple’s patent activity and couldn’t help but notice they won several ring patents with biometrics, touch pad & Siri to control devices.
Could Apple be planning a standalone smart ring product ? No, that doesn’t make sense for them. I figured the ring will most probably be the main controller for the upcoming AR glasses.
Touch and Vive controllersAnd this is nothing new. VR sets have been using similar controllers for years.
My bet is that Apple is planning such controller but much more simplified and much more portable. Something that you would want to wear all the time, anywhere. Like a regular ring shape.
Touch pad ring controller would allow the user to navigate and interact with complex professional grade applications like Word, Adobe XD or Cinema 4D.
3. User Interface
The UI will have to be unobtrusive. I’ve seen many people talk about the AR glasses and complain that they feel like a complete mind overtake… But you have to remember — you will have the ability to completely turn them off at any time. Just like your phone — you will always be able to just put them away.
Here’s a couple of concepts of what the UI might look like:
A friend calling you on AR glasses. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievApple glasses notifications. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievglassOS might look something like this. Icons of your favorite apps would appear on the bottom when needed. But not all the time.Voice messaging. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievMessaging your friends could looks like this. You would type using your ring touch / track pads. Similar to a real keyboard experience. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievAR glasses will be especially helpful when driving:
Using Apple Maps while driving. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievWatching Netflix at home:
Watching a movie full screen. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievYou could even watch movies while commuting from and to work:
Watching a movie while commuting. UI Credit: Strahil HadzhievConclusion
I am completely aware that such concept is a huge stretch, especially on the engineering side. Today, it’s not possible to fit such technology in such small volume. But I truly believe that the future will look similar to this. And then, there will be no other personal devices like iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, TVs, Macbook or even your desktop computer. Apple glasses will effectively phase them all out as it will be enough for your personal and professional needs.
What are your thoughts on this? Comment below.
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https://medium.com/media/c43026df6fee7cdb1aab8aaf916125ea/hrefThe Apple glasses that I would wear was originally published in AR/VR Journey: Augmented & Virtual Reality Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.