The company has made progress on the chip that it's developing for smart glasses, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The move indicates that Apple is ramping up work on such a device, which would compete with the popular Ray-ban spectacles offered by Meta Platforms.
The silicon team has become a critical piece of Apple's product development engine in recent years, especially after it began replacing Intel processors with homegrown Mac chips in 2020. Other semiconductors in development will enable future Macs as well as AI servers that can power the Apple Intelligence platform, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.
A representative for Cupertino, California-based Apple declined to comment.
The glasses processor is based on chips used in the Apple Watch that require less energy than the components in products like the iPhone, iPad and Mac. The chip has been customised to remove some parts in order to further improve power efficiency. The processor is also being designed to control the multiple cameras that are planned for the glasses.
The company aims to begin mass production of the processor by the end of next year or in 2027, indicating that the glasses - if successful - are likely to come to market in roughly the next two years. As with Apple's other major chips, partner TSMC will handle production.