The future of Apple's rumored smart glasses and the existing Vision Pro headset has become blurrier in recent weeks. Between price hikes, the alleged back-burning of projects and high-level departures, it seems from the outside that Apple's Vision division isn't working.
The most recent potential setback came last week when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Paul Meade, the vice president in charge of the Vision Pro and glasses efforts, is leaving for OpenAI. Meade is the second Vision executive to leave in the last year after the creator of the Vision Pro, Mike Rockwell, was shifted to overseeing Siri after AI failures in that department.
Meade, meanwhile, was an integral part of Vision Pro's development and has reportedly been responsible for developing the Apple Glasses, as per Gurman's sources.
Normal attrition or an indicator of problems?
Apple is in a period of transition as Tim Cook's reign as CEO comes to an end and John Ternus starts his takeover. Soon after Ternus was announced as the heir apparent, Johny Srouji was promoted to chief hardware officer, and quickly went about making controversial changes to Apple's product design org chart.
Analyst Avi Greengart of Techsponetial told Tom's Guide that this kind of attrition is normal, especially after a leadership change: "The executive moves that Apple is making appear to be more about securing the future of Siri – which impacts nearly every product Apple makes."
As MacRumors reports, several members of Apple's leadership team have been there for decades, including marketing head Greg Joswiak and services chief Eddy Cue. In the coming years, we may see more departures as the old guard retires or moves on and younger faces rise up.
The question is whether the current attrition is a new development strategy on Ternus' part, which opened the door for people like Meade to leave. Or is it a more challenging problem?
"Sometimes that's the way companies move forward," IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told Tom's Guide. "Potentially, [Apple] is rethinking its future product roadmap and looking for a different challenge."
Jeronimo noted that a problem that Apple may have is a Jony Ive one.
OpenAI and Jony Ive poaching
As Paul Meade leaves for OpenAI it looks like former Apple designer Jony Ive is rebuilding his Cupertino team at his new home. Meade joins Tang Tan and Evans Harkey, who used to run design, hardware, product design and industrial design at Apple with Ive. Gurman noted that Ive has also pillaged Apple's rank-and-file designers and engineers to build out his team.
That trio brings a lot of expertise and knowledge of Apple's plans to OpenAI, which is in the midst of designing its own suite of AI-forward devices.
The most recent rumors indicate that OpenAI has "fast-tracked" development of its own ChatGPT phone, which could debut as soon as the first quarter of 2027. Reportedly, OpenAI and Ive are developing at least five other AI-powered products, including earbuds, speakers, smart glasses, a smart pen, and a Humane AI-esque pin.
OpenAI promised AI devices that will replace the phone, though IDC's Jeronimo said that any other kind of device will be harder for consumers to think they need. "There are concerns that it will not going to be as popular as they [OpenAI] think."
Where does this leave Apple Glasses?
Apple has reportedly back-burned its expensive, heavy Vision Pro headset in favor of two different smart glasses. Supply chain analysts have claimed the Meta Ray-Ban-esque Apple Glasses will launch in 2027, while an XR version might debut in 2028 or 2029.
"I expect Apple to be a player in AI wearables one way or another," Greengart told Tom's Guide.
Everyone I spoke with agreed that Apple Glasses seem to be the next step; it's just unclear what direction Apple wants to take them. Though any glasses will likely be more consumer-friendly and cheaper than the Vision Pro.
If Apple gets glasses correct, it could be the next Apple Watch and actually send shockwaves through the eyewear industry. The question is whether key departures are draining Apple of talent and knowledge or just an adjustment of priorities.
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