Top 5 AR Headsets and Headset Headsets
AR technology is changing how we see the world. From teachers immersing students in space with planets revolving around them to retailers revolutionizing the shopping experience, it is unlocking new potential across multiple industries.
However, the tech that makes AR glasses work is complicated. It requires a small form factor, displays large enough to overlay content, and powerful processors with a small and efficient power supply.
1. North Focals
Focals, which are on sale now for $1,295, are the first consumer-focused AR glasses from North, a company that’s been around since rebranding itself from Thalmic Labs last year. To buy a pair of the glasses, you’ll need to come to one of the showrooms—which look like Warby Parker locations—for a fitting, which will help the company get data on head sizes, IPDs and varying vision qualities that could drive form factor and optics going forward.
The tech behind the glasses is LBS (light-based display), which uses tiny MEMS mirrors to deflect laser beams emitted by compact projectors, producing bright images with rich colors that can be integrated aesthetically into a pair of glasses frames, Rajagopalan explains. Unlike typical smartglasses with LCD screens, which use liquid-crystal displays, the lenses in Focals don’t need backlighting, which is less power-hungry and results in better battery life.
The fact that the glasses can be worn without being obvious is a major accomplishment, but they’re still bulkier than normal eyeglasses and feel uncomfortably hot after some time. They also have some limitations on the software side—like media control—that limit ar smart glasses likely users to early adopters willing to be guinea pigs.
2. Vuzix Blade
A pair of Vuzix Blade smart glasses can help improve the productivity of front-line workers and customer-facing staff. They are lightweight and feature a wide range of AR apps.
The glasses are powered by a 470mAh internal battery and have an external port for charging. A MicroSD slot provides additional storage capacity. They support Bluetooth 4.2 and have noise-canceling microphones for hands-free calls. They display notifications from messaging and calendar apps and can take photos or record video with a tap of the frame.
A touchpad on the right frame allows you to swipe and tap, or integrate with Alexa for voice commands. Voice recognition is pretty good, though the displayed image on the lens still auto-sleeps after a certain amount of time.
The glasses have a built-in camera and are compatible with the Yelp Fusion API, which helps customers connect to great local businesses in a new visual way. The app supports everything from discovering nearby restaurants to making reservations on-the-go. I tested the Blades at CES and they performed very well, never experiencing any lag or glitches during use.
3. Rokid Max
The Rokid Max is a great option for anyone looking to upgrade their movie and gaming experiences on the go. It’s a lightweight and portable device that can offer an immersive viewing experience without breaking the bank.
The specs feature two Micro O-LED screens that project visuals downwards and reflect into your line of sight to reduce eye strain. They also have directional speakers integrated into the bottom of each frame for sound. Buttons are kept to a minimum with just two located on the right arm for brightness and turning 2D/3D playback on or off.
When paired with the Rokid Station, it’s the perfect personal entertainment setup that frees up your smartphone for other tasks. It can run a variety of media apps and games with zero input lag or display latency.
The Rokid app could be a lot better but overall it’s an impressive set of smart glasses that can help you enjoy your favorite movies and games in comfort. The price tag might be a little high for some but the benefits of this product are hard to ignore.
4. Vuzix Blade Pro
With the Blade Pro, Vuzix has crafted a pair of smart glasses that look and feel more like a normal pair of sunglasses than any other AR device we’ve tried. The only telltale sign that you’re wearing a computer over your eyes is the soft glow of the display, and even then you’d have to be very close to notice.
The display is sharp, and the frame feels comfortable enough for a long day of use. Voice control is solid, high tech glasses and the touchpad on the arms lets you navigate with external input. The companion app also opens up ways to remotely manage the Blade Pro, something that businesses will appreciate.
The Blade Pro isn’t ready for the mass market, and its $999 starting price makes it less attractive than a standard pair of glasses. But it performs admirably and gets us one step closer to an AR experience that blends in instead of standing out fashionably. Jon Martindale is a 20-year technology journalist who has written for Digital Trends, Forbes, and PCGamer. He’s a big fan of anything with great battery life and a good amount of storage.
5. Meta VR
Meta VR is aiming for the high-end market with its Quest Pro headset. It has a curved design and its battery sits behind your head, making it easier to keep on than previous versions. It also features a dial on the back that lets you precisely adjust it (making it much easier for people with long hair to wear).
The Quest Pro uses a pair of magnesium-titanium alloy frames and carbon fiber, and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 platform. It has dual micro-OLED binocular displays that can deliver 1920 x 1090 resolution per eye at a frame rate of 90Hz with no motion blur.
Companies that use AR to support industrial processes can boost productivity, increase quality and accountability, and reduce costs. Moreover, they can provide remote technical assistance using VR experiences that walk customers through complex procedures. This will help improve customer satisfaction and drive sales. Moreover, they can also leverage augmented reality to enhance retail experience and create immersive virtual tours of stores. This will increase brand visibility and expand the customer base.
