Apple's head of artificial intelligence, John Giannandrea, will formally conclude his advisory role and depart the company this week, according to a report. The departure coincides with new disclosures regarding the design of Apple's upcoming smart glasses, known as Apple Glass.

Giannandrea's exit marks the final chapter for the executive who joined Apple from Alphabet in 2018. He has been in a "resting and vesting" period since March 2025, when Apple significantly reduced his AI responsibilities.

The report indicates his official departure will follow Apple's next stock vesting date on April 15. The decision for his departure is linked to the underwhelming performance of Apple Intelligence and repeated delays of an upgraded Siri. Apple had previously removed his oversight of the Siri, robotics, and other AI teams. He will be succeeded by Amar Subramanya, a former Alphabet veteran with 16 years of experience who led engineering for the Gemini assistant.

Concurrently, the Apple Glass project is advancing, with development now focusing on multiple style options. Sources familiar with the matter state that Apple is testing at least four distinct frame designs: a large rectangular style reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, a thinner rectangular frame similar to those worn by Tim Cook, a large oval/circular frame, and a smaller, more refined oval/circular frame.

In terms of materials, Apple plans to use acetate instead of plastic to achieve a more premium feel. Color options are expected to include black, ocean blue, and light brown.

Functionally, the glasses will be equipped with a vertically-oriented oval camera, surrounded by an indicator light. The device will support photo and video capture, handling phone calls, managing Apple iPhone notifications, music playback, and hands-free access to the upgraded Siri.

Positioned as an accessory for the Apple iPhone, the first-generation model will require pairing with a phone and will not feature an augmented reality display. The product is anticipated to be announced in late 2026 or early 2027, with a market release scheduled for the spring or summer of 2027. Internally, Apple has defined its design goal as creating an "iconic" product with a recognizable identity akin to its AirPods or Apple Watch.