If you're waiting with bated breath for Apple to release its augmented reality (AR)-enabled glasses, you'd better pull up a chair and get ready to cool your heels for a while longer, because one of Apple's key analysts is predicting that Apple Glasses, reportedly in development within its Cupertino walls, will be ready to ship "as 2022 at the earliest," he predicts

However, in the same research note that predicts a long wait for Apple Glasses, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also said he could mark his calendar for some new iPads The analyst expects Apple to introduce a new 108-inch iPad later this year, followed by an 85-inch to 9-inch iPad mini in the first half of 2021

Update: Apple analyst Jon Prosser disagrees with Kuo and says the Apple Glasses will be available between March and June 2021 He also states that he has seen the glasses and that they are very sophisticated

It is worth noting Kuo's prediction in a research note seen by 9to5Mac Analysts have developed a pretty strong reputation for predicting product launches for the notoriously tight-lipped Apple by tapping sources within the company's much chattier supply chain In January, Kuo predicted that a revamped iPhone SE, a new iPad Pro, and updates to the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air would be announced in the first half of 2020 All of these launches have come in the last few months

Given Kuo's track record, the news that Apple Glasses will not be ready for at least a year and a half is bound to disappoint those who were hoping Apple was ready to make a big move in augmented reality Apple Glasses, which at one point was rumored to be available this year, is expected to work with Apple's iPhone to display information in front of the user's eyes

A steady drumbeat of acquisitions of companies specializing in AR and VR has fueled speculation about Apple's plans to produce AR accessories The latest acquisition came yesterday (May 14), the same day that Kuo released its prediction for the launch of Apple Glasses in 2022 and beyond, that Apple had acquired NextVR

NextVR specialized in virtual reality presentations of sporting events such as soccer, basketball, and boxing As of last night, the company's website promised a "new direction" for NextVR

That direction may be revealed long before Apple Glasses become a reality Apple CEO Tim Cook has long been a proponent of AR, and the iPhone 12, expected to arrive this fall, is expected to include a LiDAR sensor on some models that could work with a new AR-focused app More details about Apple's AR plans are expected to be announced at this year's Worldwide Developer Conference, which will be held online starting June 22

As for the iPad, Kuo expects subsequent models of the 108-inch iPad and iPad mini to emulate the iPhone SE 2020 by featuring faster processors and lower prices Fusion and A12 Bionic chips, respectively Apple's iPad Pro tablet is powered by the A12Z Bionic chip Kuo's prediction would rule out these models, which feature a fingerprint sensor embedded under the display, as has been rumored for some future Apple tablets

Apple's current iPad mini has a 79-inch display, so Kuo's prediction of a larger screen could suggest that Apple is trying to reduce the bezels on its compact tablet The current iPad has a 102-inch screen, which could mean that the 108-inch model will also have smaller bezels