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Augmented reality glasses have thus far been more fantasy than reality. But a new partnership could make it easier and cheaper for big brands to enter the market. WaveOptics, a developer of AR technology, said on Thursday that it's teaming up with EV Group to bring lenses for AR glasses to the market next year. The deal would make it possible for consumer electronics companies such as Apple or Samsung to quickly scale production up or down — a key feature for companies that ship millions of products. And the prices of the lenses would be cheap enough that they could sell full headsets for $600.

WaveOptics isn't yet naming any customers, but AR has been mentioned as a top priority by companies including Apple, Facebook and Snap, and each will likely to need to work with a lens designer like WaveOptics. Vuzix, a WaveOptics rival, said last month that 10 new customers have signed non-disclosure agreements "and are actively performing due diligence" on the company's lenses. In December, two other companies — Lumus and Apple supplier Quanta — struck a deal for headsets that will cost $1,000 or less.