Dialogue "Spatial Computing" Author: If Steve Jobs were alive, he wouldn't release Vision Pro, he would directly launch Apple Glasses

Recently, the wind for AI glasses has been blowing quite fiercely.

Since its release, Ray-Ban Meta glasses have become a global sensation. According to the well-known tech media The Verge, as of May this year, global sales of Ray-Ban Meta may have surpassed 1 million pairs. At the end of September, Meta released the next generation of AI glasses, Orion, which sparked keen market interest.

On November 12, Baidu launched its first AI glasses. Subsequently, there were rumors in the market that Xiaomi is intensively preparing a new generation of AI glasses, while Apple is also quietly developing an AI glasses project.

In stark contrast, Vision Pro's sales have suffered a "Waterloo." The New York Post reported on November 12 that Apple is significantly reducing the production of Vision Pro headsets and may even cease production by the end of the year.

On one side is the sea, and on the other side is fire.

What is the ultimate hardware form of spatial computing? Will AI glasses be the "version answer"? What is the next killer application?

With these questions in mind, "Hard AI" engaged in an in-depth conversation with Irena Cronin, one of the authors of the book "Spatial Computing" and an expert in immersive spatial fields.

As the Senior Vice President of Product at DADOS Technology, Cronin is currently leading a team to develop data analysis and visualization platforms for Vision Pro. An atypical tech entrepreneur who transitioned from a Wall Street stock analyst to a frontier technology innovator, she provides deeper insights into the industry thanks to her solid financial background and extensive experience communicating with startups and SMEs.

In Cronin's view, Vision Pro is a transitional product, and Apple's work on Vision Pro is aimed at better developing glasses. "If Steve Jobs were still alive, he wouldn't have released Vision Pro; he would have devoted all his energy to developing smart glasses," Cronin said.

Cronin also revealed that Apple is developing smart glasses, which may be launched around 2026 or 2027. Additionally, Apple may release a lighter, longer-lasting new version of Vision Pro in the fall of 2025, with a price potentially reduced to between $1,200 and $2,000.

1. Apple is developing smart glasses, and Vision Pro is a transitional product

Hard AI: What is spatial computing? What are the biggest challenges currently facing spatial computing technology? How can these challenges be overcome?

Cronin: Spatial computing is any computation that involves humans, virtual entities, or robots moving in a three-dimensional environment.

Take Vision Pro as an example; it is too heavy, priced at $3,500, and has insufficient battery life, only usable for two hours, which for me is even insufficient to watch a complete movie. Moreover, it overheats, and after half an hour of use, you start to sweat, which is a practical problem that the hardware needs to overcome.

I can tell you that Apple is about to launch a cheaper, lighter new version, priced between $1,200 and $2,000, with better battery life and no overheating issues. They have been developing this headset for several years and expect to launch it around the fall of 2025, which will be the consumer version The current Apple Vision Pro is more like a prototype prepared for developers, allowing them to develop experiences and get accustomed to using it, which is more conducive to the launch of consumer version products.

Hard AI: Recently, Meta's Meta Orion glasses have attracted significant market attention. As a senior person involved in the development of Vision Pro, could you share your outlook on what form hardware for spatial computing will ultimately take—glasses, contact lenses, or other types of devices?

Cronin: First of all, I want to mention that Meta's Orion is largely a prototype, with production costs exceeding $10,000, so the quality and visual effects of their final version in a few years will not compare to the current version.

Returning to your question, where will spatial computing ultimately land? I am a huge fan of glasses.

I strongly support the development of glasses, and I know Apple is working on them, which should be launched around 2026 or 2027. For Meta's consumer products, they may launch a year after Apple's glasses, which is the next development direction.

The contact lenses you mentioned are also interesting. One of my clients, Mojo Vision, is developing augmented reality contact lenses, but due to the high technical difficulty of manufacturing contact lenses, the company has turned to developing micro OLED displays for augmented reality. They are currently doing well in this field and have received relevant funding support.

After smart glasses, the ultimate form of technological development is likely to be brain-machine interfaces, but this technology may not be realized until after 2035.

Hard AI: If Steve Jobs were still alive, how would he design the next generation of products?

Cronin: Personally, I believe that in Jobs' style, he would not release the Vision Pro.

He would focus all his energy on the development of smart glasses, particularly addressing the challenges of miniaturization and how to solve the issues of device heating for users. He would definitely insist that the product be fully up to standard before it is brought to market.

Apple's work on the Vision Pro has actually helped them better develop glasses. But I think selling this kind of transitional product would make Jobs angry.

Jobs would say, "No, let's make it perfect. No developer version, let's just wear the glasses, 100% ready."

2. Integration with AI, constantly refreshing business models

Hard AI: Can you share some truly revolutionary applications of spatial computing?

Cronin: There are several very typical cases: First, augmented reality real-time overlay displays in the surgical field, where surgeons can see three-dimensional projections of surgical guidance through head-mounted devices, greatly improving surgical precision.

Secondly, digital twin applications in manufacturing allow teams to collaboratively operate equipment in a virtual environment, enabling developers in New York and repair experts in Korea to work together.

There are also innovations in the entertainment field, using generative AI to create 3D video content that can be viewed through spatial computing devices. This is the future of Hollywood and a major concern for the entertainment industry regarding generative AI Hard AI: As a media person, I am very curious about how AI and spatial computing will change the media industry?

Cronin: The integration of these two technologies is significant and will completely revolutionize the way media is produced. It will greatly enhance the efficiency of creating three-dimensional objects and scenes, sparking unprecedented creative possibilities.

Content creators will begin to utilize three-dimensional visual effects, significantly reducing production costs and accelerating production processes. This shift will drive the entire entertainment industry, including media, gaming, and advertising, towards three-dimensional content production, bringing about a new creative paradigm.

The current internet is two-dimensional, while the future may have a three-dimensional internet ecosystem. Although this is challenging, if such progress can be effectively realized, it will once again fundamentally change the world.

Hard AI: Do you think there will be a three-dimensional version of YouTube or TikTok?

Cronin: There is no doubt that future visual presentations will develop towards three dimensions. We will see the rise of three-dimensional content platforms specifically designed for spatial computing devices.

The design of this platform's user interface must fully showcase the uniqueness of this disruptive technology, breaking through the limitations of traditional interaction models to create a completely new user experience paradigm.

Hard AI: What stage of investment is spatial computing currently in?

Cronin: Although some venture capital firms have been paying attention to the spatial computing field for several years, it is still in the early stages overall. Large technology companies have also made some investments, but they are all waiting for a killer app or breakthrough hardware device that can ignite the market.

3. Advice for the Younger Generation

Hard AI: What advice do you have for Chinese students growing up in the AI era regarding their choice of majors and career planning?

Cronin: First, it is important to recognize that AI is an enabler rather than a threat; it will help improve work efficiency.

The first piece of advice is to learn as much about AI as possible, use AI frequently, and play with AI to fully unleash your creativity and understand AI thoroughly.

In the future, the ability to apply AI may be an essential skill in the workplace, so you should actively seek opportunities to learn new technologies outside of school and keep up with the times. As for programming skills, many believe that coding will be entirely done by AI in the future. So you may not need to learn how to code, but you need to understand the logic behind it to better harness AI tools.

The second piece of advice is to consider pursuing a master's degree related to AI, as this field has great potential for future development and competitive salary prospects. This field is currently very hot, and I believe this situation will continue for a long time