Video glasses still haven’t caught on quite as manufacturers might like them to have, but that hasn’t stopped them from scaling up the specifications and the marketing hyperbole to try and tempt us in. Latest to cross the SlashGear test bench are Q-London’s 3D 80-inch Video Eyewear, billed as providing the same viewing experience as having an 80-inch TV two meters away. Bold claims; read on to see whether the Q-London system delivered.
Vuzix have announced [pdf link] an augmented-reality (AR) add-on kit for their Vuzix VR920 video headset, developed in collaboration with AR specialists metaio. The system will initially be demonstrated with a 3D animated book, that has computer-generated characters, but Vuzix believe it has potential applications in gaming, education and travel.
These days, the Carl Zeiss name tends to be more associated with Nokia cellphone camera lenses than anything else, but the famed optics company has a few other irons in the consumer electronics fire. Latest is the Carl Zeiss Cinemizer Plus video headset which, when it launches in May, will be the first video eyewear to bear the “Works with iPhone” logo.
Vuzix has today announced an immediate shipping of its Vuzix iWear, AV310, a personal video eyewear that’s virtually wielding a giant 52-inch large screen display over your head, from any video sources on-the-go. The new AV310 claims World’s first virtual reality eyewear with widescreen aspect ratio, and is a better-equipped unit compares to the AC230 XL we reviewed last month.
We opened the week with our first-impressions of the T-Mobile BlackBerry Curve 8900, a surprisingly adept smartphone that’s managed to impress despite the absence of 3G. We’ve also been playing with Vuzix’s iWear AV230XL OLED video headset, and the VIA Artigo A2000 Barebone Storage Server. Finally, if you prefer your gadgets with a bit of (artificial) flesh on their bones, take a look at our Orbita Mouse unboxing; we’ll have the full review this coming week.
Head-mounted displays are one of those great ideas that, in practice, few people actually go for. Yes, having the effect of a full-sized TV with the bulk (and cost) of a set of chunky designer sunglasses is good in theory, but the look can put people off. Vuzix sent us their OLED-toting iWear AV230XL headset, which promises the experience of watching a 44-inch screen from nine feet away. Big-screen or big-letdown? SlashGear set to finding out.
Vuzix have announced availability of the AV310 Widescreen Video Headset in Europe, together with the new AV230XL which uses OLED displays for brighter, better contrast images despite requiring less power. The AV310, which was launched in the US in September, produces a 16:9 image equivalent to watching a 52-inch screen, and is 3D capable; the AV230XL, meanwhile, is equivalent to watching a 44-inch screen from nine feet away. Both are compatible with the iPhone and iPod, as well as other portable electronics such as DVD players, smartphones and PMPs.
Vuzix’s iWear “personal video eyewear” has been around for some time, but the company has just announced its first ever widescreen 16:9 aspect video headset. The iWear AV310 Widescreen gives wearers the impression of a 52-inch TV viewed from nine foot away, and is compatible with iPods, PMPs, video cameras, cellphones with video outputs, games consoles, digital cameras and DVD players.
Vuzix’s iWear VR920 has been around since the tail-end of last year, promising virtual reality for multiple games. Of course, software tends to move faster than hardware does, and while the iWear’s compatibility list was pretty comprehensive back then, mid-way through 2008 and it’s not looking so hot. Perhaps I’m a cynic but I’d half expect a manufacturer to selectively ignore their old product and instead concentrate on a fanfare for a new one; happily Vuzix have been in touch to point out they’ve added eleven new titles to the VR920’s list.
Remember that cool virtual reality gaming headset that I showed you guys last month? Well, as with any other product that promises me either virtual reality, flying cars or time travel, I tend to remain skeptical. However, a package just arrived on my doorstep that promises to give me the most realistic experience possible in a video game.
SlashGear Japan
