Apple worked on Google Glass-like device, decided it wasn't worth it

Tony Fadell, the ex-Apple executive who helmed the company's iPod engineering group, has revealed that his old employer prototyped augmented reality headgear, but ultimately chose not to pursue the technology.

The devices were described by Fadell in an interview with Fast Company's Co.Design blog as "visors" that make the wearer feel as though they are "sitting in a theater." He went on to imply that the prototypes were successful, but Apple chose not to go forward with them because the company had its hands full with other projects

"We had such success with the things we were already doing that we didnâ€™t have time," Fadell said.

In addition to the augmented reality devices, Fadell revealed that Apple also experimented with new renditions of older technology like video cameras and remote controls. While the company has not released any of these rumored devices as standalone products, it is possible that lessons learned from the experiments have been helpful as Apple developed new technologies like the iPhone's video capture system and Apple TV's remote control.

Fadell is known as the "father of the iPod" and served as a senior executive at Apple from 2001 through 2008, first as the head of the iPod & Special Projects group and later as senior vice president of the iPod division. He is currently CEO of Nest, a manufacturer of connected thermostats, which he cofounded with former Apple colleagues.

In recent years, Fadell has been somewhat candid about his time at Apple and his thoughts on the company as it exists today. Last year, after iOS chief Scott Forstall was ousted from Apple, Fadell said he felt Forstall "got what he deserved."

Though he no longer works at Apple, Fadell has a continuing relationship with the company, as his Nest thermostats are sold in the company's retail stores.

37 Comments

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 11 years ago

Of course it wasn't! Oh, that's great. All this pre-keynote news is wonderful.

drblank 3384 comments · 18 Years

I'm glad Apple decided to not pursue the Glass type design, they would have been the laughing stock if they did. I still can't figure out what the big deal is with Google Glass, I think it's a joke. I'm sure it might make some money, but I wouldn't buy the product. I think it's too dumb and not something I want to be seen using. there are enough distractions as is.

theunfetteredmind 505 comments · 12 Years

I like this part from Gadi Amit:

Quote:

The guy next to me was working on NeXT for Steve Jobs. I saw three identical mice on his desk, and I couldn't tell the difference between them, so I asked. He said, "Can't you see?" And he pointed to the bottom plate of the mouse. One was 1 millimeter thick, one was 1.5 millimeters, the other 2 millimeters. And then I saw the difference--and it transformed my worldview about details in design.

philboogie 7669 comments · 15 Years

And this is Apple's strength; they're proud ogf the products they [I]didn't[/I] release.

rogifan 10667 comments · 13 Years

Hmm...I take this with a grain of salt. Note, Fadell didn't say Apple was working on something, he said he built a prototype. Did Fadell have some secret team in the iPod division that was working on these prototypes? And really, they didn't build it because they didn't have time? Somehow I'm a bit skeptical about his claim.