An AR glasses revolution is coming to CES 2024 — could Apple Vision Pro be in trouble?

I'm currently mid-flight over the Atlantic ocean, working and sporting the Xreal Air 2 glasses. My attention is centred on two hot topics: AI, which will doubtless take centre-stage, and the emerging crossroads of VR and AR. So far, these two sectors have existed separately; one is seen in glasses that basically serve as an amplified external display for your device, providing relief from the strain of constantly hunching over a screen. On the other hand, headsets like the Meta Quest 3 or Apple Vision Pro deliver an immersive virtual reality blend with real life, drawing inspiration from the world of sci-fi like Ready Player One. However, it's worth acknowledging that the sheer size of these devices can detract from their appeal. This brings us to the key question - what's the next step in the journey combining VR headsets and AR glasses?

There's a clear division between the capabilities of VR headsets and AR glasses. Nevertheless, the technological developments within both fields are progressing towards a meeting point. The ideal vision is a device that integrates the XR technology of a product like Apple Vision Pro into something as compact as AR glasses, something that may still be a few years from realization. Xreal's co-founder, Peng Jin, also known as PJ, refers to the next big leap as 'wearable computing'. Plenty of queries hover around this future vision, including whether users will be ready to leave behind multiple devices in favor of just one.

This could imply a shift from connecting wirelessly to your phone to render the image, to relying on cloud technology to create the reality you're viewing, which would necessitate massive server infrastructure and significant power usage. Regardless of the choice, Xreal's roadmap includes adding more virtual environment-based interactivity to their headset. The company continues to experiment, with PJ citing trials with bone conduction audio and new display technologies to replace the prisms. The minimization of these technologies to fit within a pair of glasses may take some time.

However, indicators suggest that considerable advancements are on the horizon for XR technology. As CES 2024 approaches, I predict we will see three main developments paving the way for the optimal XR glasses. These features may not yet be consolidated into a single pair of glasses. The AR market is filled with competition (with Xreal leading with a 51% share), and each company has its unique focus. Xreal's Air 2 emphasizes simplified gaming and spatial computing, Viture aims for a comprehensive sensory experience, while TCL's Rayneo glasses focus on the highest quality image in the smallest possible frame.

This divergence will continue until one victor melds all these features and bridges the gap between VR headsets and AR glasses. I believe that moment will be initiated at CES 2024. AI will certainly dominate the discussions in the coming days, but don't discount the nascent revolution that could allow everyone to feel like Tony Stark in a few short years.

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