Mike Peterson
Loup Ventures analyst Gene Munster thinks Apple's "design advantage" could help drive the success of its rumored augmented reality glasses.
On Tuesday, leaker Jon Prosser shared many details about the so-called "Apple Glass" device, but its overall design and form factor are still not clear.
In a research note published Friday, Munster said that "design will be central" to Apple's success in the AR glasses market — and added that Apple is well-positioned to make that work.
"Apple's track record with wearables, dating back to the EarPods, gives us confidence that Apple will lead the way in the augmented reality glasses category as it emerges over the next few years," Munster wrote.
He gave the example of Apple's classic EarPods, originally packaged with iPods and eventually iPhones. As he points out, EarPods became a "fashion symbol" due to their design and the fact that they were created to stand out. That's a legacy AirPods still carry on today, he noted.
As evidence of Apple's wearables design success, Munster cites the company's recent report that its Wearables business — which includes AirPods, Apple Watch and other accessories — was now the size of a Fortune 140 company.
"Across its entire product ecosystem, including hardware and software, Apple has monetized its design advantage to achieve scale quickly," Munster wrote.
Apple Watch, for example, grew to a $5 billion money maker in less than three quarters, and eventually led Apple to become the largest watchmaker in the world.
Munster expects wearables to grow in importance, and become the "dominant mode for our digital interactions." He added that Apple is situated to take advantage of that.
"Apple is well-positioned to own the future of personal computing," the analyst concluded.
The so-called "Apple Glass" will retail for $499 and rely on an iPhone for its connectivity, Prosser said earlier in the week. Originally slated for a launch this year, "Apple Glass" may now be announced in early 2021 for a launch in 2021 or 2022.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
21 Comments
I wonder why people trust him.
https://www.quora.com/What-is-Gene-Munsters-track-record-on-Apple-product-predictions
The reality is that Apple is the ONLY company with a chance in hell to make a device like this even mildly popular. A face thing is so much more complicated and has more social stigma than anything in the pocket, wrist, etc. Apple needs to make a strong enough argument through features, usability, and design, in order to convince people that they want this. That's a tall order, but I think Apple is capable of that.
I actually like the guy in spite of his sometimes wacky thoughts on the future and Apple.
Perhaps he gets a little too carried away with claims like Apple will 'own' the space, though.
The entire industry (Apple included) is moving towards the exact same goals. We know this is coming. It is already here to a degree. The only difference is that right now the stepping stone is using your phone for the AR visual overlay. It's a start, and more importantly, allows for AR content data to be accumulated. It will eventually hit glasses and perhaps even car windshields and other devices. I believe some cars may already 'project' some information in front of the driver.
Gene “Apple Is Going To Make A Television” Munster
Apple already is killing everybody else in the wearables market.
Look at the Apple Watch and look at the AirPods/AirPods Pro.
Apple succeeds where others fail miserably.
I have no doubts that Apple's glasses will be much better and much more successful than others who have attempted the same thing. Apple has proven that time and time again.