Apple has allegedly opted to halt its ambitions to create augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, according to a *Bloomberg* report citing informed sources.

In November, *Bloomberg* disclosed that Apple had kicked off the initiative under the name “Atlas.” The aim was to produce a pair of sophisticated AR smart glasses, potentially rivaling Meta’s “Orion” prototype. Nevertheless, the endeavor has now been put on hold.

Although initial specifics regarding the glasses were limited, further details emerged following the project’s cancellation. Apple’s original intention was to create glasses that could sync with the iPhone, but significant obstacles arose. The battery life of the iPhone was severely affected, and it lacked the necessary processing capability to support the glasses. The company then redirected its attention to glasses that could link with a Mac, but this iteration reportedly underperformed during internal assessments by Apple executives.

In spite of this setback, Apple continues to be dedicated to developing a successor to its Vision Pro mixed reality headset. However, the AR glasses were intended to be a distinct product—lighter and more similar to conventional eyewear, akin to Ray-Ban’s Meta smart glasses.

This presents yet another challenge for Apple, whose CEO Tim Cook has championed augmented reality since as far back as 2016. While Apple is renowned for keeping its internal ventures discreet, this is not the first instance of the company abandoning ambitious projects. In early 2024, Apple allegedly scrapped its plans to construct a self-driving electric car, and by mid-2024, reports indicated the company had also paused development on the Vision Pro 2, deciding instead to focus on a more economical version of the device.

At this point, it appears that Apple’s AR aspirations still have a way to go, with the company actively seeking new opportunities in the mixed reality domain.