Kris Carlon / Android Authority
Despite some speed and network coverage improvements, 5G hasn’t really lived up to the hype. You know it, I know it, and deep down, even the carriers know it.
In fact, a few of the industry’s bigwigs would probably rather we all forget about some of the absolutely outlandish claims and overenthusiastic visions they tried to sell us about 5G. But the internet never forgets, so it’s time for us to play “where are they now” with some of the worst nonsense from the turn of the decade.
Augmented reality everywhere
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
A lot of 5G marketing went in one ear and out the other with me, but I distinctly remember UK carrier EE teaming up with Kevin Bacon to launch the 5G-equipped Apple iPhone 12 Pro in an ad showcasing not only a drone delivery but an augmented reality Rita Ora “live” performance atop the London skyline.
I’ve never taken delivery by drone, but Amazon offers it in some places, and emergency services increasingly use drones in rural areas. However, this relies on GPS/GNSS and LiDAR, rather than 5G. And while it’s true that we’ve seen concerts and shows take place in virtual worlds, these certainly haven’t required 5G networks or AR goggles for access.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon was also bullish on AR back then. In 2021, he noted, “once you have the 5G network built,” he promised, “the phone is going to evolve to allow the element of augmented reality glasses. If you look at what’s happening with (VR), we’re getting to scale. I think it’s just the beginning of an inflection point.”
While it might be harsh to call this prediction absolutely wrong, augmented reality in our pockets remains a pipe dream. The best we still have today is the overpriced, heavily tethered $3,500 Apple Vision Pro or smart glasses like the Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer that are far more limited in scope. In both cases, 5G hardly factors into their appeal.
A more convenient night’s stay
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