According to Stcn app, apple Inc. (AAPL.US) has launched a project codenamed Atlas aimed at exploring the possibility of entering the asia vets glasses field. The project was launched last week to collect feedback from apple employees on smart glasses and plan to organize more focus group discussions. These studies are led by the product system quality team of apple's hardware engineering department, laying the foundation for apple to follow meta platforms Inc. (META.US) into the increasingly popular smart glasses category.

According to reports, apple usually organizes focus groups in secret to understand people's preferences for existing products, based on which they consider whether to enter a new field. This user research on smart glasses may guide apple in adding features to its glasses and help determine how the technology will be used.

Earlier reports have stated that apple has been considering entering the smart glasses market, possibly challenging Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, but actual products may take a few years to come to the market. In the meantime, Meta has been successful with its more streamlined approach, launching $299 glasses that, while not true AR glasses, allow users to take videos, answer calls, and ask AI assistants questions. Apple is seeking to create a similar product that may work like its popular AirPods earphones.

However, creating a successful face-worn device has always been a challenge. Apple's previous Vision Pro headset was considered too bulky and expensive to become a mainstream product. Therefore, Apple is also considering improvements to the Vision Pro to broaden its appeal and develop a cheaper, lower-end version.

In addition, competitors Meta and snap inc. have also made progress in the AR glasses field, but neither of these products will be ready for consumers for at least a few years. Apple faces pressure from its competitors but is also continuously exploring and innovating to secure a place in the smart glasses market.