Apple released its new AirPods pro last month. The new AirPods are noise cancelling, made for a more comfortable fit, and have many more new features that suggest Apple is making strides towards turning its smaller products into “wearable AR.” Dan Moren, a writer for the website “Macworld,” explains how Apple is using its “wearable” products like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods are using its features like noise cancellation and real time notifications to allow these products to have an AR mode.
The noise cancelling technology in the new AirPods have a transparency mode that allows the user to listen to both the audio playing through the AirPods and the outside world. This is possible through a new vent system that lowers the volume so that the user hears both the sound in the AirPods and the sound that comes from outside. Technology like this and the real time notifications suggest that this AR mode will be used in future “wearable” products. Moren suggests that Apple AR glasses will have these features inside of the lens. Siri would be more involved and interactive as the user receives phone calls, notifications, and the general tasks Siri does. For example, with the power of Siri in AR glasses, the user could ask questions like, “Hey Siri, what am I looking at?” and have a real time answer through AR technology in the glasses. The potential to read and hear notifications in real time without lifting a hand would be a big step for Apple’s AR technology for everyday consumers.
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/10/apple-reveals-new-airpods-pro-available-october-30/
https://www.macworld.com/article/3452667/what-the-airpods-pro-hint-about-apples-wearable-ar-philosophy.html
To me, the growing prevalence of “wearable AR” is very exciting. The idea of a type of lens that can be used as a replacement for features that would be traditionally reserved for an iPhone is especially intriguing. This kind of invention is usually thought of in relation to classic spy movies, with the characters using high tech gadgets. However, it now looks like this invention is set to become a reality.
Apple also has the potential to be one of the first smartphone companies to release an AR contact lens. According to an AppleInsider article by Mikey Campbell, the company will also be meeting with EPGL (a company that focuses on :”reality contact lens”.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/09/08/apple-to-meet-with-augmented-reality-contact-lens-firm-epgl-discuss-possible-ios-support
It’s just crazy to see how much apple is expanding as a company being a part of the cell phone, computer, streaming, and even credit card markets. Having some sort of apple glasses using AR technology would be a giant leap for the company. However until that point the new airpods pro seem to be a very intriguing new apple product.
Apple made a major upgrade to their wireless headphones recently with the launch of the airpod pros. They sport a sleek new design, longer lasting battery life, but probably the most noteworthy new feature is active noise cancellation technology. This allows users to switch between noise cancellation mode, which eliminates all noise outside of headphones or transparent mode that allows you to listen to your headphones while hearing the outside world. The airpod pros seem to be a major win for apple and a product that I may have to purchase.
https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods-pro/
I think what Apple is doing is interesting. I believe they will be one of the greatest trailblazers of the future. If Apple ends up making AR glasses, it would be really cool because Siri would be a personal assistant. Also, the idea of seeing notifications and responding to text messages without ever lowering your head, is exciting. I can even imagine using AR glasses for google maps as well. There may even be a point in the future where cars will have AR windows, which will allow drivers to get to their destinations through AR technology allowing them to see where they’re going just by looking through the window.
AR glasses may even be used in hospitals. Doctors may be able to use a form of these glasses while performing operations during surgery or even do various types of scans to see fractures, cancer regions, muscle tears and more. I think AR technology will transform the modern world.
https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/ar-glasses
As a person who wears glasses frequently, the idea of Apple AR glasses is very intriguing. I honestly couldn’t even imagine how amazing those would be. I think that receiving notifications through them would be the best part. While driving, you could be alerted about texts without having to take your eyes off the road. With this invention, texting and driving would certainly decrease. Overall, I absolutely love the idea of AR glasses.
I think the AirPods pro is also a very cool idea. I do not own a pair of AirPods, but I understand where all of the hype comes from. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of being able to listen to music while also being able to hear everything going on around you. With the technical world we live in today, this does not surprise me. I think this is a big stride in the headphone world. I constantly find myself taking my headphones out to talk to someone, but I think it would be much easier if you could keep them in while having a conversation with someone. Ultimately, I hope companies continue to improve the way their headphones work.
The new AirPods Pro that Apple just released are considered vital pieces to complete their mission of delivering augmented reality. According to the Apple Developer website, “augmented reality lets you deliver immersive, engaging experiences that seamlessly blend virtual objects with the real world.” AirPods help with this through the noise cancelling feature that was described since this feature allows users to be completely synced with their music that it seems like it surrounds them. The “wearable” products such as the AR glasses would be a huge step forward for Apple. This would mean some of their products would be completely immersive, changing the game for all other technology companies. I strongly believe that our society with soon be dominated by AR technology and all products will only make it easier on the daily life of all individuals.
https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/ios/system-capabilities/augmented-reality/