Indeed. I'm surprised they're even trying the "stationary" product rather than just working directly towards a glasses version of the Watch.
Gurman's sources are good enough that I imagine he has the narrative right, but this sounds a little bit like the iPad / iPhone evolution in retrospect: As I understand the history, the iPad was actually under development first, but it became obvious that the better initial market to target with the technology was smartphones. It wouldn't shock me if they belatedly have the same revelation again.
Maybe they have sold themselves on a kind of "meet in the middle" strategy, where major YoY improvements in AR-enhanced smartphones build a market for mobile-focused apps, while the HUD technology is ramped up and refined in an environment where you don't worry so much about power and portability.
But again, if I were Apple, I'd stick to mobile and wait until they are ready to leapfrog everyone else rather than try to build a market with awkward enthusiast tech.
Gurman's sources are good enough that I imagine he has the narrative right, but this sounds a little bit like the iPad / iPhone evolution in retrospect: As I understand the history, the iPad was actually under development first, but it became obvious that the better initial market to target with the technology was smartphones. It wouldn't shock me if they belatedly have the same revelation again.
Maybe they have sold themselves on a kind of "meet in the middle" strategy, where major YoY improvements in AR-enhanced smartphones build a market for mobile-focused apps, while the HUD technology is ramped up and refined in an environment where you don't worry so much about power and portability.
But again, if I were Apple, I'd stick to mobile and wait until they are ready to leapfrog everyone else rather than try to build a market with awkward enthusiast tech.