Apple(US:AAPL) 智通财经网·2025-05-23 00:02Core Viewpoint - Apple is planning to release smart glasses by the end of next year as a key move into the AI-enhanced device market, while shelving plans for a camera-equipped smartwatch [1][2]. Group 1: Product Development - The smart glasses, initially codenamed N50 and now part of the N401 project, are being developed to compete with Meta's popular Ray-Bans smart glasses [2][3]. - Apple is accelerating the development of the smart glasses, with large-scale production of prototypes expected to begin by the end of this year [1]. - The glasses will feature a camera, microphone, and speakers, enabling environmental analysis and integration with Siri for tasks like calls, music playback, real-time translation, and navigation [1]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The smart glasses market is becoming increasingly competitive, with OpenAI collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive to launch AI hardware products starting next year [1]. - Meta is also enhancing its smart glasses, planning to release a higher-end version later this year that includes a display for notifications and images, with a true AR version expected by 2027 [3][4]. Group 3: Strategic Goals - Apple's ultimate goal is to introduce augmented reality (AR) glasses that overlay digital content onto the real world, although this may take several years to achieve [2]. - The company is also working on dedicated chips for the smart glasses, with mass production expected to start as early as next year [3]. - Apple aims to improve its AI capabilities, including plans to open its large language models to external developers, potentially enhancing its app ecosystem [4].