According to a recent report from Bloomberg's seasoned journalist Mark Gurman, Apple has put the development of a lighter variant of the Vision Pro (dubbed Vision Air) on hold and is now fully channeling its research and development endeavors into smart glasses. This strategic move signifies a pivotal shift for Apple in its quest for the next-generation computing platform.

The Vision Pro has encountered a somewhat tepid response in the market, prompting Apple to reassess its approach. The company now believes that closed-type head-mounted displays are unlikely to gain widespread adoption as mainstream gadgets. Despite Apple's technological prowess, the Vision Pro's hefty price tag of $3,499, considerable bulk, and relatively limited application ecosystem pose significant barriers to achieving the market penetration akin to that of the iPhone.

In contrast, lightweight and everyday-wearable smart glasses resonate more deeply with Apple's core philosophy of crafting 'mainstream products.' Insider sources indicate that Apple's upcoming smart glasses are anticipated to operate on a streamlined version of visionOS and seamlessly integrate with iPhones or Macs. When paired with an iPhone, they will function with a lightweight system, whereas connecting them to a Mac will unlock the full capabilities of visionOS.

Gurman further revealed that Apple is actively pursuing a multi-tiered Vision product portfolio, encompassing screenless smart glasses (entry-level), glasses equipped with displays (mid-tier), and high-end offerings that retain the essence of the Vision Pro. Apple has also secured a plethora of technology patents for smart glasses, including innovative content synchronization between the glasses and iPhones.

Presently, Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses have emerged as a top-seller in the smart glasses arena, with Samsung and Google also in the process of developing comparable devices. While Apple boasts formidable strengths in chips, design, and ecosystem integration, it recognizes the need to bolster its AI capabilities to truly position the glasses as a 'post-iPhone' platform.