• Apple plans to release AI smart glasses by late 2026.
• The glasses will compete with Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses and Google's Android XR.
• Production of prototypes is set to begin by the end of this year.
• Prior plans for a camera-equipped smartwatch have been shelved.
• Apple aims to enhance AI capabilities and could include unique features for the glasses.

Apple is ramping up its efforts to launch smart glasses with AI capabilities by the end of 2026, in a move to compete with popular offerings from Meta and Google, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

The upcoming smart glasses will incorporate features such as cameras, microphones, and speakers for real-world analysis, with functionality including voice commands via Siri for tasks like phone calls and navigation, mirroring some capabilities of Meta's current models, as reported by South China Morning Post and India Times.

Starting at the end of this year, Apple will begin producing large quantities of prototypes with its overseas suppliers, as part of its aggressive timeline, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post. Originally codenamed N50, the project now falls under the broader N401 descriptor.

In a strategic shift towards AI technology, Apple has also shelved its plans for a smartwatch equipped with a camera, previously intended for release by 2027, focusing instead on enhancing the capabilities of its smart glasses, as indicated by South China Morning Post and India Times. The company is also engaged in developing other devices with enhanced AI capabilities, emphasizing the importance of innovation in this competitive landscape.