Apple's New Visual Intelligence: A Glimpse into the Future of AR Glasses?
Apple’s new Visual Intelligence feature, introduced during the iPhone 16 event, has everyone buzzing—and for good reason! This handy tool allows users to scan the world around them using their iPhone’s camera and instantly identify things like dog breeds, copy details from event posters, or look up information about anything in their surroundings. Imagine how much easier that makes everyday life!
What is Visual Intelligence?
With just a tap, Visual Intelligence lets your iPhone's camera turn into a powerful identification tool. Whether you're curious about the breed of a dog passing by, need to grab event details off a poster, or want to know more about a restaurant, Visual Intelligence has you covered. It’s a feature that fits perfectly with the new camera button on the iPhone 16, making it quick and intuitive to interact with the world around you.
A Sneak Peek at Future Tech?
While Visual Intelligence is incredibly useful now, it feels like this technology is just the beginning of something much bigger—like Apple AR glasses. Imagine using this feature in the future, not through a phone, but with smart glasses that see what you see. No need to pull out your iPhone to get information on a restaurant you pass by; just glance at it, ask a question, and your glasses could tell you more.
This type of tech has already been explored by Meta with its AI-powered smart glasses, but if Apple does step into this space, it would likely bring a high level of polish and integration with its ecosystem, seamlessly connecting back to your apps and personal context on your iPhone.
Building Toward AR Glasses
Apple has been working on augmented reality (AR) technologies for years, and while the Vision Pro headset showcases some of those advancements, most of us aren’t walking around outside with VR headsets strapped to our heads. That’s why true AR glasses feel like the next big step—and Visual Intelligence could be a crucial part of that journey.
Although we might not see Apple’s AR glasses for a few years—rumors suggest a potential 2027 release—it’s clear that Apple is laying the groundwork now. By refining features like Visual Intelligence on the iPhone, Apple is getting a head start on what could eventually become a killer app for AR glasses.
The Future is Coming, Slowly
It wouldn’t be surprising if Apple took a gradual approach, much like it did with its AR technologies before launching the Vision Pro. By the time Apple is ready to release a sleek, everyday pair of AR glasses, Visual Intelligence could be a well-honed tool ready to make the transition.
In the meantime, Visual Intelligence is shaping up to be an incredibly useful feature for iPhone users, and it gives us a sneak peek into Apple’s long-term vision for the future of AR. Whether you’re scanning for quick information now or imagining the day when you’ll be using it through smart glasses, one thing’s for sure—Apple is getting ready to make the world around you even smarter.
