Spatial Computing Race Heats Up: Apple and Meta Vie for Next-Gen Platform Dominance

The battle for the future of computing is intensifying as tech giants Apple and Meta aggressively pursue the development of 3D glasses as the next dominant platform, moving beyond traditional 2D screens. Industry observer Mike Townsend recently articulated this shift, suggesting that current 2D interfaces will soon feel as antiquated as "riding horses now."

"When we move beyond 2D glass screens we'll realize how painful they actually are. We're riding horses now. 3D glasses will be the next computing platform and they're on like iphone 5...," Townsend stated in a recent tweet. He further noted that "Apple and Meta want to make the hardware so they can tax and write the laws of the digital world."

Apple has already made a significant entry into this emerging market with its Vision Pro, which it touts as its "first spatial computer." Launched at a starting price of $3,499, the device runs on visionOS, a spatial operating system designed to seamlessly blend digital content with the physical world. Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized the significance, stating, "Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing."

Meta, a long-standing proponent of the metaverse, views augmented reality (AR) glasses as its decade-long vision for a full-holographic 3D computing platform. While acknowledging the "VR headset fatigue" associated with its current Quest line, Meta's strategy includes the development of more stylish and usable AR glasses, integrating AI and conversational user experiences. This indicates a clear pivot towards form factor and user integration beyond the immersive but often bulky VR headsets.

The competition extends beyond these two giants. Google and Samsung are also entering the fray with "Project Moohan," an XR headset running Android XR and integrating Google's Gemini AI. This collaborative effort aims to democratize spatial computing, with plans for both headsets and smart glasses offering "all-day help" capabilities, further validating the industry's belief in 3D glasses as the next major computing interface.

As these companies invest heavily in hardware and software, the long-term implications for platform control and digital ecosystems are significant. Townsend's observation about "tax[ing] and writ[ing] the laws of the digital world" highlights the strategic importance of owning the foundational technology for this new era of spatial computing. The success of these platforms will hinge on their ability to offer compelling user experiences and foster vibrant developer ecosystems.