Apple has delayed the launch of its first smart glasses, pushing the public unveiling to next year's Worldwide Developers Conference [1].
This postponement highlights the tension between wearable technology and public privacy. As competitors enter the market, Apple is navigating a landscape where covert recording has become a significant point of contention for consumers and regulators.
The device, which carries the code name “N50” [1], was originally scheduled for a reveal by the end of 2024 [1]. Apple had planned to begin sales in early 2025 [1]. However, the company has shifted the unveiling to June 2025 at the WWDC in San Jose, California [1, 2]. Sales are now projected for late 2025 [1].
The delay is attributed to a growing backlash regarding privacy concerns [1, 2]. Specifically, the company is reacting to the potential for covert recording in public spaces, a problem that became more prominent following the launch of smart glasses by Meta [1, 2].
Apple has not provided a detailed public statement on the specific technical or policy changes being implemented to address these concerns. The company said it is focusing on the revised timeline to ensure the product meets its standards for privacy, and user acceptance, before the worldwide release [1, 2].
“Apple has delayed the launch of its first smart glasses”
Apple's decision to delay the N50 suggests that the company is prioritizing its brand identity as a privacy-centric entity over being first to market. By observing the public reaction to Meta's hardware, Apple is likely attempting to engineer a solution—either hardware-based indicators or software restrictions—that mitigates the social friction caused by wearable cameras.
