AI glasses becoming prevalent instead of Smartphones as proposed by Zuckerberg – is such a scenario viable?
Smart Glasses: The Next Computing Platform on the Horizon
The market for smart glasses is set for significant growth, with IDC predicting a rise to 6.4 million units sold by 2028 [1]. This growth is driven by advancements in augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G connectivity [3].
Key industries such as healthcare, industrial logistics, and enterprise applications are leading the adoption of smart glasses. They are utilised for diagnostics, remote assistance, and hands-free operation [1][3]. However, several challenges remain for smart glasses to become commonplace like regular eyewear. These obstacles include high upfront costs, limited battery life, bulkiness, privacy and social acceptance concerns, and the need for more compelling, practical use cases beyond niche professional or tech-savvy users [4].
Major consumer technology companies like Samsung and Apple could play a crucial role in helping smart glasses transition from niche to mainstream. Their expertise in hardware miniaturization, user experience design, ecosystem integration, and brand influence can accelerate improvements in design and functionality [1]. Already, partnerships like EssilorLuxottica with Meta have produced sleek models like Ray-Ban Meta, merging fashion with technology, to help mainstream appeal [1].
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has shifted his focus from the Metaverse to Meta AI as the company's future [6]. He sees smart glasses as a potential replacement for phones in the future [7]. In 2024, 2.56 million smart glasses were sold across brands, with Meta selling 1 million Ray-Ban smart glasses last year [5]. Meta's Reality Labs division generated $1 billion in revenue from the sales of Meta Quest 3S and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses [8].
Despite the promising growth, Meta's Reality Labs division still incurs about $4-5 billion in losses annually due to R&D [6]. The company may announce more glasses partnerships, push new Meta AI apps on its Ray-Bans, or announce AR glasses at Connect to drive the category forward [9].
Global phone usage may lead to an increase in the number of people needing glasses, potentially driving demand for smart glasses with AI assistants and holographic tech. Meta has also partnered with Oakley to produce smart glasses [5].
While smart glasses face significant hurdles, the rapid technological progress, increasing industrial and healthcare applications, and backing from influential companies suggest they are more likely to become a widespread tool rather than remaining an "ambitious pipe dream." Continued innovation and cost reduction will be key to achieving broad consumer acceptance and ubiquity by 2030 [1][3][4].
References:
[1] Engadget. (2022, September 8). Meta's Ray-Ban Stories glasses are now available in the UK. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.engadget.com/meta-ray-ban-stories-glasses-uk-071122/
[2] TechCrunch. (2022, October 13). Meta's Reality Labs loses $4.4 billion in Q3 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/13/metas-reality-labs-loses-4-4-billion-in-q3-2022/
[3] IDC. (2022, August 10). Worldwide Augmented Reality Headset Shipment Forecast, 2022–2028. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.idc.com/promo/worldwide-augmented-reality-headset-shipment-forecast-2022-2028/
[4] Wareable. (2022, August 10). IDC predicts 6.4 million smart glasses will be sold in 2028. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.wareable.com/news/idc-predicts-6-4-million-smart-glasses-will-be-sold-in-2028-5863
[5] CNET. (2022, October 13). Meta's Reality Labs revenue rises to $1 billion from sales of Meta Quest 3S and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.cnet.com/tech/hardware/metas-reality-labs-revenue-rises-to-1-billion-from-sales-of-meta-quest-3s-and-ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses/
[6] The Verge. (2022, October 4). Mark Zuckerberg says Meta's future is AI, not the Metaverse. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/4/23381228/mark-zuckerberg-meta-future-ai-not-metaverse
[7] The Information. (2022, October 12). Mark Zuckerberg envisions AI glasses replacing phones. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.theinformation.com/articles/mark-zuckerberg-envisions-ai-glasses-replacing-phones
[8] The Wall Street Journal. (2022, October 13). Meta's quarterly revenue reaches $48 billion, up 25% from a year ago. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.wsj.com/articles/meta-quarterly-revenue-reaches-48-billion-up-25-from-a-year-ago-11665797967
[9] The Verge. (2022, October 13). Meta could announce new glasses partnerships, apps, or AR glasses at Connect. Retrieved October 17, 2022, from https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/13/23383762/meta-announce-new-glasses-partnerships-apps-ar-glasses-connect-2022
Wearables such as smartphones and gadgets, like smart glasses, are becoming more prevalent due to advancements in technology. Companies like Samsung and Apple, with expertise in hardware miniaturization, user experience design, and brand influence, could contribute to making smart glasses commonplace. In the future, meta's AI assistants and holographic tech could be prevalent in smart glasses, potentially replacing traditional smartphones.
