From concept to reality — Apple’s smart glasses enter the final countdown stage

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Technology Insights Daily
May 09, 2025

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Apple’s long-rumored smart glasses have reportedly entered the final phase of development, signaling that a commercial release may be just around the corner. Industry insiders suggest that Apple has finalized core hardware components, including a custom lightweight AR display system and a low-power Apple silicon chip designed specifically for wearable use.

The smart glasses, expected to integrate tightly with iPhones and Apple Watch, are said to offer real-time notifications, navigation, and contextual overlays—essentially bringing Apple Vision Pro–like AR features into a compact, everyday form. The final countdown stage includes testing production lines in Asia, software refinements in visionOS Lite, and finalizing partnerships for prescription lens support.

Analysts predict Apple may preview the device as early as late 2025, with a limited release in 2026. If successful, it could redefine the AR wearables space, much like the iPhone revolutionized smartphones.

Reports emerged that Apple is preparing to launch a lighter, more affordable version of the Vision Pro, often referred to as Vision Pro Lite, by the end of the year. This new model aims to make spatial computing more accessible while retaining core mixed reality (MR) features.

Unlike the original Vision Pro, which launched at a premium price point and is geared toward developers and early adopters, the Lite version is expected to feature fewer external sensors, a simplified display system, and reduced onboard processing power—likely requiring more reliance on a connected iPhone or Mac.

Despite the trade-offs, Vision Pro Lite will reportedly maintain compatibility with visionOS apps, support immersive video experiences, and continue Apple's focus on productivity and entertainment in spatial environments.

Analysts believe this move could help Apple gain broader consumer adoption in the AR/VR market and better compete with devices from Meta, Sony, and Samsung.

iPadOS 19 is expected to make the iPad experience even more Mac-like, thanks to a major update to Stage Manager, now entering version 2.0. Stage Manager 2.0 introduces improved window controls, more flexible app layouts, and enhanced support for external monitors, making it easier to use the iPad for true multitasking.

The new version reportedly allows resizable overlapping windows, better app grouping, and faster context switching—bringing iPadOS closer to macOS in productivity. Apple is also improving memory management and adding keyboard shortcuts that mirror those on the Mac, aiming to bridge the gap for power users.

With iPads now powered by M-series chips, this update is seen as a natural evolution in making iPads viable laptop alternatives. Developers and creatives in particular will benefit from the streamlined interface and upgraded performance tools expected with Stage Manager 2.0

Rumors suggest that iOS 19 may introduce USB-C external display support for iPhones, bringing them closer to iPad and Mac-level versatility. This feature would allow users to connect their iPhones directly to external monitors via a USB-C cable—mirroring or extending the display for presentations, media playback, or productivity tasks.

With recent iPhone models like the iPhone 15 series already adopting USB-C ports due to EU regulations, this potential upgrade in iOS 19 would unlock more of their hardware potential. Analysts believe the feature could be similar to iPadOS’s Stage Manager external monitor support, allowing for a more desktop-like experience.

If implemented, this would be a significant step toward positioning the iPhone as a viable mini workstation, especially when paired with accessories like keyboards and trackpads. It could also boost the appeal of Pro models for mobile professionals and creatives.

In a recent statement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged growing feedback that GPT-4o, the company’s newest model with real-time voice interaction, sometimes comes across as “overly flattering” or excessively polite in its tone. Users have noted that the model often responds with high enthusiasm and affirmation—even in mundane or inappropriate contexts—which can feel unnatural or insincere.

Altman confirmed that OpenAI is actively working on tonal adjustments to make GPT-4o sound more balanced and context-aware, especially in its voice mode. This tweak aims to enhance user trust and ensure that the assistant communicates clearly without unnecessary praise or emotional overreach.

The fix is expected to roll out soon as part of routine model fine-tuning, without requiring a full version update. Altman emphasized that OpenAI wants its AI to feel helpful and humanlike—but not “performative.”

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