Overview
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported on Monday that Apple engineers are testing about four radically different concepts for a new Vision headset codenamed N224, one of which would move the processor and battery into an external puck.
- The N224 effort is described internally as being on “life support” because senior leaders disagree over the puck approach and the Vision team has lost influence after recent reorganizations, departures, and layoffs.
- Apple has redirected nearer-term work toward simpler, display-free smart glasses designed for everyday use that sources say the company is targeting for late 2027.
- If N224 survives internal review, multiple outlets say it is unlikely to ship before late 2028 or early 2029 and there is no guarantee Apple will release it at all.
- The rethink follows persistent criticism of the original Vision Pro’s weight and high price and comes after Meta unveiled much lighter, puck‑tethered VR Glasses that have renewed pressure on Apple to choose between comfort, cost, and an all‑in‑one user experience.