April 10, 2026
OK, so the next ‘big thing’ tech companies are banking on to supplant the cell phone are Smart Glasses. I think we all know what they are. Before my opinion, here’s a run down (Claude) of some of the things they are or will do (sources are in italics)
You can ask your glasses what you’re looking at, get navigation directions in your peripheral vision, and have conversations translated in real time — things that genuinely work better on your face than on a screen in your pocket. Vr Apple Glass, previewing later this year, is designed to recognize objects, landmarks, plants, and animals, and even identify individuals to provide contextual reminders based on your location and surroundings. Geeky Gadgets
Real-Time Translation
Live translation is appearing right before your eyes — subtly and hands-free — along with features like teleprompters and even karaoke lyrics. Tom’s Guide
Photography & Video
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 features a 12MP camera for 3K video, integrated Meta AI, and wireless connectivity for direct-to-Instagram livestreaming. TechCabal The camera being at eye level is a key differentiator — you capture what you actually see.
Augmented Reality Displays
The XREAL One Pro is designed to replace traditional multi-monitor setups with a massive 57-degree field of view, with a “Widescreen Mode” that creates a virtual 3,840-by-1,920 desktop TechCabal — essentially a giant floating screen wherever you are.
Gaming
XREAL unveiled a partnership with Asus ROG introducing the first smart glasses with a 240Hz display, cementing smart glasses as a serious gaming accessory. IDC
Payments
Rokid demonstrated glasses capable of mobile payments, hinting at a future where wallets become obsolete. IDC
Enterprise & Professional Use
In the field, smart glasses enable hands-free collaboration — a remote expert can see exactly what a field engineer sees, annotate in real time, and guide a fix without anyone traveling. Companies are using them for warehouse navigation, training, and field service. UC Today
Productivity & Navigation
Features like AI notetaking and navigation prompts are appearing on lightweight frames. Tom’s Guide Notifications and contextual info live quietly in your field of view. T3
The big picture: Smart glasses have transitioned from niche gadgets to productivity and lifestyle tools, now offering high-fidelity spatial computing, professional-grade cinematography, and AI-driven sensory enhancement. The main remaining friction points are battery life (most top out around 3–5 hours) and privacy concerns around always-on cameras.
OK, so I have a personal bias here. I’m not sure I want to stick one of those on my face and walk around with them. I’m not sure I want some technology company defining my real world as interpreted by them. I’m not sure I’m not going to ask you to take off your smart glasses so I can be sure you’re not recording me. I’m not sure I want my “stuff” going to Mark Zuckerberg so he can sell me a pizza.
And if I’m sitting in a job interview, or one of my grandchildren is sitting in a college interview, I’m not sure I want to wonder if the interview is being broadcast back to an AI-assisted psychologist setting up gotcha! questions real time.
I get the advantages in the workplace. Guy goes out to repair something, his boss can join him via the glasses and guide him as he works. Sure. That’s good.
But I am sure that I kind of like my life as it is, especially meandering through the world and taking it in and making decisions and figuring things out. So no, I’m not going to be a Smart Glasses guy because I think they’re actually Dumb Glasses, at least that’s what I think they can do to the brain of the wearer.
Office of Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer Apple Incorporated
Tim Cook: (Squinting through a Vision Pro headset, rocking back and forth)
Personal Assistant: Sir! Sir!
TC: (ignores)
PA: Sir! It’s the President on Line 1!
TC: How many times do I have to say it? When I’m watching Minions…
PA: Sir, he does not sound happy.
TC: (Stabs a finger at his Vision Pro). Joe! Joe my man! So good to hear…
PA: (hisses) Trump! Its Trump!
TC: (Confused look…)
PA: (whispers) Trump? The POTUS?
TC: David! David! My man! So good…
PA: (Hisses insistently) Donald, like the duck?
TC: (Brightens) Quack quack? (giggles)
PA: Open line Mr. President. Pesky that. Sorry!
(POTUS voice coming through the speaker)
TC: But…
TC But…
TC: Minions, sir. I was testing my Vision Pro. Distracted.
TC: Yes, the AI glasses
TC: But…
TC: Sir, I wouldn’t call them a scam…just slow starting?
TC: (Pres voice barking through the phone) (TC rolls eyes toward ceiling)
PA: (Stricken look on his face…aghast)
TC: Well, yes, we could make them in Wyoming
TC: How many? (Clicks mute, whispers to PA… “How many people would we need to move Vision Pro production from China?)
PA: (whispers in his ear)
TC: Well, good news sir! Six! Six new American employees!
TC: No, but…
TC: No sir. Six not six thousand.
(voice in headset more insistent)
TC: Yes sir. If you still have that hotel you closed, we could…
TC: No worries! It’s our nickel!
TC: OK…OK…Yes…Yes…OK…OK…
TC: Thank you sir. Thank you! And my best to Jill! (hangs up)
PA: (head in hands, shaking head slowly)
TC: (to PA) We can move production from China or send Vision Pros to his grandchildren.
PA: (sighs…)How many grandkids?
TC: Eleven.
PA: We only have six in inventory.
TC: (brightly) Sold out!
PA: Sir, it’s a three-month inventory.
TC: Great press release! Sold out of the Vision Pro!
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
