Apple’s Visual Intelligence feature, presented during the iPhone 16 launch, is one of the most intriguing innovations. It allows users to scan their surroundings through the phone’s camera, and artificial intelligence assists by identifying a dog’s breed, copying information from posters, learning a café’s menu, or finding nearby useful items.
A Step Towards Augmented Reality Glasses
This convenient feature could pave the way for future Apple products. For example, something similar will be essential for the development of augmented reality (AR) glasses. At the presentation, Apple demonstrated how a restaurant visitor could learn more by simply pointing their iPhone camera at it. A similar experience could be achieved through smart glasses, where users could ask questions directly through the glasses instead of using a phone.
Meta has already proven the usefulness of AI-enabled glasses in identifying objects. Apple can certainly integrate Visual Intelligence with existing iPhone data, making the feature even more powerful. Although Apple already has a headset — the Vision Pro — most of its users rely on it at home, where they are familiar with their surroundings. According to unofficial sources, Apple is indeed working on AR glasses, but these are expected no earlier than 2027, and even Apple employees reportedly remain skeptical about that timeline.
Visual Intelligence: A Glimpse of the Future
Whether AR glasses materialize or not, the software for them is already under development. Visual Intelligence could be the first step towards this future product. Apple has a history of building up to major releases by developing supporting technologies over time, reminds NIXsolutions. For instance, years of AR development in the iPhone preceded the launch of the Vision Pro, and a bulky headset could evolve into more compact glasses.
The competition in this space is heating up. Qualcomm has publicly stated that it’s working on mixed reality glasses with Samsung and Google. For now, however, Apple’s Visual Intelligence will remain focused on the iPhone, offering a glimpse of what’s to come. We’ll keep you updated on any future developments.