Lightweight ‘Sunglasses’ Are Made For The Indoors, Turning TV Shows Into AR
Image via Nreal
Tech company Nreal’s latest offering may look like your average pair of beachgoing sunglasses, but they are, in fact, tools that you can catch up on your YouTube subscriptions in augmented reality (AR) with.
Weighing in at just 2.72 ounces, the lightweight display packs a micro-OLED punch that is built for just one purpose, and one purpose only: watching moving image content.
The virtual display is capable of 49 pixels per degree, an improvement from the Beijing-based company’s previous hardware, the Nreal Light, which falls just short with 42 pixels per degree. The Nreal Air runs at a 90 Hz refresh rate, which is much faster when compared to other monitors and TVs. These are often paced at 60 Hz.
Additionally, this eyewear is touted as the first to be compatible with iOS, so it can be connected to an iPhone or iPad. But Android users, not to worry—the glasses are compatible there, too.
Unlike other AR devices, this wasn’t built for users to explore interactive apps and software with. So, there aren’t hand-tracking or spatial awareness features, but that’s fine if all you want is to be able to lie in bed and watch Squid Game without needing to hold your device.
Navigation is done primarily through an app on the user’s smartphone, which could allow for a less clunky experience if using it out in public. Plus, it would do away with a few strange looks that you might get waving your arms in an attempt to swipe through Netflix in the middle of a park.
A spokesperson for Nreal informs Ars Technica that the new AR glasses are set to be released in China, Japan, and South Korea at the end of the year. The US and EU will follow, as the company is still finalizing carrier partnerships.
Pricing will be announced closer to the date, but as a rough indicator, the Nreal Light is currently retailing for around US$600 outside the US.
Introducing Nreal Air, the first ever AR sunglasses whose standout feature is being overlooked!
— Nreal 👓 (@Nreal) September 30, 2021
Your reality is about to change into thin air.
Almost invisible to the world, see if you can’t solve the mystery here 👉https://t.co/xfR1k1JR1i pic.twitter.com/lj8dxNhkve
[via Ars Technica, images via Nreal]
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