Tag Archives: AR / VR

OPPO Air Glass 3 brings AI to your vision to improve your interactions

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Smart glasses, in contrast to AR headsets and visors, aim for a design that ideally should be indistinguishable from regular glasses. With today’s technologies and knowledge, however, that’s not easily possible, especially when you need to add powerful computing hardware to sophisticated optics. That’s especially the case when you need to offer some kind of smart assistant functionality, especially voice and speech recognition. In the past, you had to settle for rough translations and sometimes misinterpretations; comical but frustrating nonetheless. That definitely sounds like a job for AI, and that’s exactly what OPPO is bringing to the table, or rather to your eyes, with the newest iteration of its lightweight and discreet “assisted Reality” glasses that take a focused approach to wearables.

Designer: OPPO

AI is still the hot thing in tech today, in spite of and despite the bad publicity that misuse of the tool brings. Today’s AIs happen to be great at processing human language, both written and spoken, and they can now run the device itself with very little power, making them perfect for very small devices, including smart glasses. In its third iteration, the OPPO Air Glass 3 prototype harnesses the power of AI, specifically its own self-trained language model AndesGPT, to deliver a more natural way to talk to your glasses and get your job done.

AI might be the technical highlight of the new OPPO Air Glass 3, but its winning feature is going to be its design. OPPO is laying claim to the title of the world’s lightest binocular full-color glasses, and at 50g only, the claim does have merit. It looks just like regular spectacles with very thick frames, but nothing like those complicated and heavy mixed reality glasses. Despite that lightweight design, the Air Glass 3 still boasts a bright 1,000 nits display delivered by a tiny Spark micro projector, ensuring you can clearly see the virtual information even in bright environments. And with an ultra-thin waveguide, you don’t get the rainbow-like patterns that are often seen on optical see-through displays like these.

The OPPO Air Glass 3 manages to offer this more comfortable design thanks to its more focused functions. Rather than trying to cast its net wide with augmented reality, OPPO is instead focusing on “assisted reality” that emphasizes productivity over entertainment. You’ll still be able to see images if you want and control music playback, but the information that’s displayed in front of your eyes is limited to things like navigation, timers, translations, or even a teleprompter. In other words, it’s a sleek way to have all the important information you need right in front of you instead of having to fish out your phone from your pocket and get distracted in the process.

Of course, that means it will need to connect to an external device, particularly your OPPO smartphone. The Air Glass mobile app provides that connection you need with OPPO’s AndesGPT to ensure you’re getting the best performance possible without weighing your head down. OPPO is also laying the groundwork for more AI-enhanced features and experiences by investing heavily in its own AI center in the hopes of empowering all its products, especially its smartphones, with these features.

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TECNO combines AR Glasses and a Windows handheld PC into a new gaming experience

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Thanks to a certain fruity company, AR glasses and headsets are back in the news. We’re still at an exciting exploration stage where we are trying to discover what works and what doesn’t as far as user experiences go, at least based on the limitations of current technology. AR glasses and their headset cousins often come in two basic designs. One packs all the necessary computing hardware to drive AR experiences, which is great for independence but not so much for comfort. On the opposite side of the spectrum lies headsets that need to connect to a desktop or laptop, removing performance limits but tying users down to a heavy or immovable computer. Leveraging the recent trend in gaming PCs, the TECNO Pocket Go is an all-in-one solution that combines the best of worlds by pairing lightweight AR glasses with a powerful gaming computer that you can hold in your hands.

Designer: TECNO

As much as might dream of hi-tech Ray-Bans like Tony Stark’s, we still can’t fit that much hardware inside regular spectacles given our current level of technology. To make augmented or mixed reality glasses lightweight and relatively comfortable to wear for long periods of time, they need to have only the bare minimum to display high-quality images for both eyes. At the same time, however, it will need an external computer that does all the heavy work of processing what needs to be displayed, but it also has to be portable enough not to get in the way of your mobility.

That’s the perfect combination that the TECNO Pocket Go tries to offer, a system that’s made up of the TECNO AR Pocket Vision glasses and the TECNO AR Pocket Windows Handheld computer that comes in the form of a large game controller. The AR Pocket Vision boasts a 0.71-inch Micro-OLED display that can emulate a gigantic 215-inch screen, at least if you want something of that size. It has a 6-axis gyroscope that can accurately detect your head movements and translate that into data that the AR software can use. Despite the name, the AR Pocket Vision also pays close attention to sound, delivering an immersive audio experience thanks to N’BASS nano-structured acoustic materials and TECNO’s own unique vibration enhancement algorithms that turn in-game audio into vibrations.

The AR Pocket Windows Handheld delivers an even more portable experience that is 50% smaller and 30% lighter than your average handheld gaming PC today. Of course, it accomplishes that by taking the screen out of the equation since it will be connected to the AR Pocket Vision glasses anyway. That means the design can focus on performance and cooling while also improving the overall ergonomics of the handheld computer. It even has a replaceable battery so users can enjoy uninterrupted gaming and entertainment on the go.

Having an AR headset and a handheld computer working together is a very potent combination, and having both under a single brand and a single system significantly simplifies the overall user experience. And while the TECNO Pocket Go is primarily aimed at immersive gaming, such a power and portable system can also open the doors to other experiences, provided you’re fine with using a gamepad to control it all. TECNO hasn’t given word on when this pair will launch, but it will definitely spark the interest of gamers who want to take their handheld gaming experience to the next level.

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Mixed Reality Binoculars help Children see the World in a Different, More Creative Way

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We all know how glued children are to screens lately. In such times where children are often immersed in the digital realm, it’s imperative to find innovative ways to encourage them to go outside in the real world and explore. The BINO mixed reality (MR) device emerges as a solution, seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds, empowering the ‘IPad kids’ to explore their surroundings with curiosity.

Designer: Joon-Yeol Bae

The increasing use of electronic devices from an early age has confined children’s worlds to screens. This digital immersion raises concerns about the limited physical activity vital for their holistic development. To address this challenge, BINO aims to redefine the concept of play by expanding children’s playgrounds beyond screens.

Curiosity serves as the driving force for children to explore and question the world around them. BINO is designed to engage and satisfy children’s curiosity actively, promoting physical activity as a natural byproduct of exploration. By igniting interest through playful activities, the device strives to contribute to healthier and more active lifestyles for children. It is a revolutionary MR device that serves as a companion for curious children, seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds. It features two lenses – a normal lens and a wide-angle lens – allowing children to observe close and distant subjects.

Features of BINO:

Photo & Video:

The device enables children to capture and preserve their exploration moments through photos and videos. It captures various moments encountered in nature or the city center, including plants, animals, transportation devices, and various objects, allowing them to cherish these memories and fostering a sense of connection with the real world while learning.

Built-in Projector:

BINO has a built-in projector, allowing children to share their recorded adventures and moments throughout the day with family without needing an additional display. It enhances the collaborative aspect of exploration.

AI Interaction:

BINO acts as a responsive companion, answering questions and explaining the world as children experience it as a blend of the real and virtual worlds. This AI interaction ensures that children maintain interest and curiosity throughout their adventures.

Constellation Exploration:

Through the MR device, the night sky comes to life with an illuminated display of numerous stars. This constellation feature enhances the immersive experience, making every exploration unique. I believe if we were taught constellations like this, I’d know them better!

BINO challenges the norms of traditional MR devices that require wearing hardware on the head or body. By seamlessly connecting virtual and real experiences in a flexible and natural way by eliminating the need for continuous wear, it breaks free from the limitations of confined spaces, enriching the stage of virtual and real interactions. This flexibility expands spatial experiences, allowing users to navigate both realms and the space where they converge.

 

Considering the target audience of children, the device prioritizes safety with soft mesh cushions and a detachable strap for easy portability. It also has a very visually cute form The design incorporates smooth curved surfaces to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.

BINO emerges as a groundbreaking MR device designed to encourage outdoor exploration among children. By seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds, it not only satisfies children’s curiosity but also promotes physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, BINO is a beacon of innovation, bridging the gap between digital curiosity and real-world exploration for the next generation.

The post Mixed Reality Binoculars help Children see the World in a Different, More Creative Way first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mixed Reality Binoculars help Children see the World in a Different, More Creative Way

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We all know how glued children are to screens lately. In such times where children are often immersed in the digital realm, it’s imperative to find innovative ways to encourage them to go outside in the real world and explore. The BINO mixed reality (MR) device emerges as a solution, seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds, empowering the ‘IPad kids’ to explore their surroundings with curiosity.

Designer: Joon-Yeol Bae

The increasing use of electronic devices from an early age has confined children’s worlds to screens. This digital immersion raises concerns about the limited physical activity vital for their holistic development. To address this challenge, BINO aims to redefine the concept of play by expanding children’s playgrounds beyond screens.

Curiosity serves as the driving force for children to explore and question the world around them. BINO is designed to engage and satisfy children’s curiosity actively, promoting physical activity as a natural byproduct of exploration. By igniting interest through playful activities, the device strives to contribute to healthier and more active lifestyles for children. It is a revolutionary MR device that serves as a companion for curious children, seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds. It features two lenses – a normal lens and a wide-angle lens – allowing children to observe close and distant subjects.

Features of BINO:

Photo & Video:

The device enables children to capture and preserve their exploration moments through photos and videos. It captures various moments encountered in nature or the city center, including plants, animals, transportation devices, and various objects, allowing them to cherish these memories and fostering a sense of connection with the real world while learning.

Built-in Projector:

BINO has a built-in projector, allowing children to share their recorded adventures and moments throughout the day with family without needing an additional display. It enhances the collaborative aspect of exploration.

AI Interaction:

BINO acts as a responsive companion, answering questions and explaining the world as children experience it as a blend of the real and virtual worlds. This AI interaction ensures that children maintain interest and curiosity throughout their adventures.

Constellation Exploration:

Through the MR device, the night sky comes to life with an illuminated display of numerous stars. This constellation feature enhances the immersive experience, making every exploration unique. I believe if we were taught constellations like this, I’d know them better!

BINO challenges the norms of traditional MR devices that require wearing hardware on the head or body. By seamlessly connecting virtual and real experiences in a flexible and natural way by eliminating the need for continuous wear, it breaks free from the limitations of confined spaces, enriching the stage of virtual and real interactions. This flexibility expands spatial experiences, allowing users to navigate both realms and the space where they converge.

 

Considering the target audience of children, the device prioritizes safety with soft mesh cushions and a detachable strap for easy portability. It also has a very visually cute form The design incorporates smooth curved surfaces to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience.

BINO emerges as a groundbreaking MR device designed to encourage outdoor exploration among children. By seamlessly connecting the virtual and real worlds, it not only satisfies children’s curiosity but also promotes physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, BINO is a beacon of innovation, bridging the gap between digital curiosity and real-world exploration for the next generation.

The post Mixed Reality Binoculars help Children see the World in a Different, More Creative Way first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mixed reality headset bucks design trends for a complete audiovisual experience

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Thanks to the Apple Vision Pro, mixed reality is back in the news along with the hardware that will enable people to experience them. We have yet to hit the Holy Grail of headset design that will allow people to wear these devices on their heads for long periods, but brands like Apple and Meta definitely have that goal in their sights. MR headsets are getting lighter and slimmer, but that will always come at the cost of sacrificing some functionality that has to be offloaded to some other product you will have to buy and use separately. This concept design, however, goes in the other direction and tries to actually include everything you need for a more believable mixed reality experience, including the oft-neglected audio for your ears.

Designer: Dohyuk Joo

It’s harder to fool the eyes, which is why most of the focus in developing these mixed reality headsets is on the optics. But we don’t experience the real world with just our eyes, and a more immersive virtual world will also need to do more than just feed us visual data. Just like in the real world, audio is either taken for granted or at least takes second place only, but this headset design tries to balance the scales, even if it means going back to the days of bulky headsets.

WavVision, whose name tries to embody the combination of sound and sight, attempts to be an all-in-one mixed reality solution for our eyes and our ears. In a nutshell, the headset includes over-ear headphones to deliver audio, particularly spatial audio, that would complete the immersion of existing in a virtual space. This wouldn’t be the first headset to attempt that combination, but it is definitely one of the few that make it painfully obvious. The Meta Quest 3, for example, does have built-in speakers but uses an open-ear design that simply directs the audio waves toward your ear.

In addition to having over-ear cups built into the design, the very form and construction of WavVision go against the dominant trend in this niche market. The frame is made from thick steel plates bent to loosely follow the shape of the head. It’s a material that suggests quite a bit of weight and sharpness, which is the opposite of what headsets today are aiming for. It gives the design a distinct industrial aesthetic, which is intentional but also questionable.

One of the reasons why headsets don’t include dedicated headphones is because the audio experience could probably be delivered by more dedicated hardware that’s specially designed for performance as well as comfort. Building that part into the headset only weighs the product down, both literally as well as in terms of costs. Conversely, an integrated design ensures a unified appearance and, at least theoretically, a more complete experience. Admittedly, few of the mixed reality brands today seem to be paying that much attention to the audio aspect, but if Apple will be playing this game for long, it will undoubtedly dip its toes in that area sooner or later.

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Mixed Reality Magnifying Glass for Kids Shows the World in a Different Light

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When people talk about augmented or mixed reality, they most likely imagine strapping bulky visors to their heads and blocking their eyes. Although that is definitely the primary way to experience an immersive fusion of the physical and the digital, mixed reality actually goes beyond living in virtual worlds or seeing apps floating in front of you. You could, for example, point your smartphone somewhere in the real world and see a glimpse of digital information through that small window. Limited as that experience might sound, it can actually open up a whole new world to discover, especially if it allows children to learn more about the world they live in, giving them access to flora and fauna that they would have never encountered in the wild.

Designer: Junwoo Lim

To a child’s eyes, the world is both magical and mysterious, and that’s just for the things they can actually see. Our planet has a lot more treasures and oddities than they could possibly imagine, but most of them are out of reach due to urban development and safety considerations. At most, kids can learn about them through books, videos, and other flat media that, while informative, lack the proper context that young minds need to truly appreciate the scale of these earthbound creatures.

Mono is a mixed reality device concept that unlocks that world and allows kids to not only learn but also enjoy discovering these nuggets of knowledge in a way that doesn’t take them away from their current environment. Using mixed reality technologies, the gadget overlays virtual creatures like insects and animals on top of real-world objects, making them look like they’re actually there on the roof or in your hand. This allows kids to see them in their proper scale, observe their natural movement, or even see them interact with each other, all while still having access to additional text information layered on top of this view.

The device comes in a design that looks like a toy magnifying glass, an object that has long been associated with exploration and discovery. Instead of a transparent lens, it has a camera on one side and a screen on the other. Theoretically, the user can put the screen close to their eye the same way they would use a real magnifying glass, though that raises questions about the safety of that method. The controls for the device are simple enough for a child to understand, including a single button for power and a slider for zooming in and out to understand the scale of the creature being observed.

The Mono concept design tries to fill in an educational need for kids to learn more about the world in a safe and engaging environment, but without weighing down their heads with headsets. It demonstrates how mixed reality can be more than just an entertainment medium or a productivity tool for adults, but something that kids can also benefit from. A magnifying glass design definitely carries that exploration vibe, though it’s questionable whether it’s an appropriate one given how kids are likely to put the screen right in front of their eyes.

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Lightweight, stylish Brillant Labs Frame AI-assisted glasses lets you engage more with the world

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The idea of putting a wearable on the eyes that takes immersive interaction up close and personal is a mantra every tech company wants to recite. After the bigger ones like Google and Apple doing their bits in VR and AR glasses, a startup, Brillant Labs has developed a pair of AI glasses called the Frame that promises to put the power of generative AI in front of a person’s eye. This, as the company says, will introduce a paradigm shift in an individual’s daily living.

The Brillant Labs Frame is designed as the first-ever glasses with an integrated multimodal AI assistant. This assistant is built in-house and can learn with the usage to carry out tasks for you. On that point, some of us would remember the Rabbit R1, but the little rabbit is a handheld and the Frame is a circular pair of spectacles that resembles – in design – the ones made extraordinary by the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Steve Jobs.

Designer: Brillant Labs

With a primary focus on AI capabilities, the Frame is backed by AR John Hanke, CEO Niantic, company behind the popular Pokémon Go. The dual combination of technology is accompanied by a small display. The 640 x 400p micro-OLED display can show graphics and text overlayed on a real-world environment. In the middle of the Frame is a camera and the battery powering it is stationed at the back.

The Frame weighs only 40g and to ensure it is a new leap in wearable technology, it comes with the always-on AI assistant called Noa. The assistant taps into generative AI models like GPT-2, Whisper AI, and Stability AI, to generate text and graphics from the images captured by the camera, in response to the user query. The multimodal generative AI assistant therefore performs real-world visual processing and real-time speech recognition and translation to permit a user to engage more with the world around.

Courtesy Noa, the Frame will bring new experiences to everyday life, in workplaces, or even in classrooms. This is as the glasses can respond to what you ask by voice or text, and also to what you are seeing through them. So, you can, in real-time have the Frame tell you the price of jeans you are looking at in the store (by checking up online) and take notes of the content you are reading from your textbook.

Brilliant Labs has left the Frame as an open-source project with files for hardware and software available through GitHub. Additionally, it comes with support for prescription lenses for an additional price of $99. The lightweight, stylish, and visually distinguishing Brillant Labs Frame itself costs $349 and is now available for pre-order. Shipping is likely to start from April 15, 2024.

 

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Apple Vision Pro iFixit teardown reveals what’s inside and how it works

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Apple has entered a new product category with the Vision Pro. The expensive eyewear, positioned to transport us into the future of VR, is an expensive deal to begin with at $3,499. So, ripping something of that value apart to just reveal how repairable it is and to what it packs within that makes it worthy of making Apple a new category giant may seem obnoxious to us.

But that’s little of a deterrent for the folks at iFixit, who pride in tearing down the latest gadgets to see how easy or difficult it is to repair them and examine what makes it a favorite. In that scheme of things, iFixit has put its heating guns and prying tools to use to tear open Apple’s new tech marvel. What they see is pretty straightforward: a few easy-to-remove parts and then complicated screws, connectors, and seals to get past before fully revealing the impressive cameras and more.

Designer: iFixit

Between the easy take offs and the intricate connectors, the Vision Pro – iFixit teardown reveals – has some unbelievable tech crammed. Some of this is never seen before, especially the advanced EyeSight display which it is discovered uses several videos of the wearer’s eyes simultaneously.

As the iFixit video runs through the teardown it shows Apple’s new AR/VR headset is similarly detailed and intriguing as the other Apple devices. So, the process of tearing it down is not easy and required a heat gun, screwdrivers, prying tools, and lots of effort. But as you’ll see, the effort is worth appreciating.

First up, the video suggests the customizable face cushion, light seals are easy to pull off, while the power chord has to be turned to unlock. The device’s knit band pops easily off the headgear stems, from the integrated latch. Stem with speakers disassemble the eye housing swiftly as well leaving the cameras, sensors, battery, R1 chip, and EyeSight display to take a look into.

This is according to iFixit the first scratch of the detailed teardown that would be revealed in the near future. The initial teardown however shows that the Vision Pro is inside out what we have heard of. It has some high-end tech within its small form factor, but it will require some elbow grease to repair.

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The $3500 Apple Vision Pro deserves this gorgeous chrome-plated metal stand

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A throne worthy of a $3500 face-computer.

Sure, the Apple Vision Pro got its first accessory in the form of a protective cover… but what the high-end spatial computing device desperately needs is a stand to dock and highlight the beauty of Apple’s latest and most impressive gadget. The Vision Pro stand by Sy Wong fills the void with its gorgeously slick design that highlights your headset without eating too much table real estate. Quite akin to a headphone stand, the Vision Pro stand has your headset hanging vertically, along with a docking station for the accompanying battery pack.

Designer: Sy Wong

The stand’s specific shape allows it to support the Vision Pro’s contoured cushion with ease. The stand’s steel platform only makes contact with the plush cushion, ensuring that no part of the stand comes in contact with the glass or metal components of the Vision Pro. Meanwhile, a dedicated dock for the Vision Pro’s battery pack keeps it close to the headset, allowing you to easily lift and wear the entire setup or dock it back after a spatial session.

The beauty of Sy Wong’s stand lies not just in its overall visual simplicity, but also its glorious chrome-plated finish. The stand comes crafted from stainless steel (or at least that’s what Wong mentions on their Behance page), with an immaculate chrome finish that rivals the kind you see Apple’s own accessories (like the handles on the Mac Pro, or even those $700 wheels).

For the select few who’ve bought the Vision Pro, unfortunately, Sy Wong’s stand is just a concept… so you’re going to have to either place the expensive headset on your desk *shudder*, back in its box after every use, or buy the $299 soft-shell case for the headset and battery pack. Apple hasn’t announced any other major accessories for the Vision Pro, although the market is ripe for stands like the one Sy Wong designed… or this neck-worn power bank that’s a whole lot better than Apple’s own battery pack.

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Apple Vision Pro’s Spatial Computing needs a Killer App… and it should be a Pokemon Game

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It seems unbelievable that Pokemon GO debuted a stunning 8 years ago… but if you remember the year 2016, you’ll also remember what a massive phenomenon it was. The game singlehandedly revived the relatively flatlined mobile gaming industry, uniting millions of players around the world and actually getting them to step out of their houses. Most importantly, however, it proved to be the PERFECT embodiment of the potential mixed reality killer app. The Apple Vision Pro, which begins deliveries starting 2nd of February, currently lacks that killer app… and a strategic partnership between Apple and Nintendo (just like their partnership with Disney) could really give the Vision Pro the killer app it needs – Mixed Reality Pokemon (or ‘Spatial Computing’ if you’re one of Apple’s vocabulary purists).

This game demo, designed by Thailand-based Kumpanat Samkumlue, explores the many benefits and features of Apple’s spatial computing push. The company boasted quite a few features like realistic rendering, voice commands, and gesture inputs – all that would complement the game perfectly. Imagine seeing Pokemon battling on your coffee table, with the ability to hold and throw Pokeballs during fights, or even give vocal commands to your Pokemon mid-battle. The UI (and even the UX) lend themself PERFECTLY to the Vision Pro, which would vastly benefit from this smash success game. Heck, it would put the Vision Pro leaps and bounds ahead of Meta’s own Quest headsets, which lack their own Pokemon game too (but have other killer-app-worthy experiences like Beat Saber, Supernatural, and more recently, Assassin’s Creed).

Designer: Kumpanat Samkumlue

“Imagine turning your home into a Pokémon playground, where you can use cutting-edge technology like Apple Vision Pro or Oculus Quest 3 to embark on thrilling Pokémon adventures right on your tabletop. With this fan-made version, I bring to life the idea of playing a Pokémon game in Mixed Reality (MR), Inspiration from the popular Pokémon Sword and Shield games,” says designer Kumpanat. “Transforming Your Home into a Pokémon Playground: A Vision for Tabletop Pokémon Adventures in Mixed Reality. Catch ’em, battle ’em, and explore ’em—all in your own space with voice commands or a controller magic!”

What Pokemon GO did for mixed reality gaming on the phone, it can absolutely do for the Vision Pro too. Sure, your first instinct is to dismiss the idea that a Pokemon game could make a $3500 headset more desirable, but here’s what we aren’t thinking of. The point isn’t to sell more units of the Vision Pro headsets… the point is to give spatial computing its Killer App, which in turn helps the entire headset category. Apple’s rumored to be working on a cheaper, more consumer-friendly model of the Vision Pro too… and this game would pretty much etch its commercial success in stone.

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