Testing the Latest Headsets for Augmented and Virtual Reality at CES 2024
At CES 2024, I had the opportunity to test out the latest headsets for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and the 'metaverse'. Here's what I found.
Impressive Augmented and Virtual Reality Headsets
One of the standout demos at CES came from Varjo, showcasing its XR-4 glasses. With high-resolution mini-LED panels, inside-out tracking, and impressive video quality, these glasses are mostly targeted towards industrial applications, priced at around $4,000.
On the consumer side, Xreal's air2 and air2pro glasses offer three levels of immersion control, from augmented reality to full virtual reality. These lightweight glasses feature micro-OLED displays, support for spatial anchor and hand gestures, and a comfortable fit. They are available for around $700.
Vuzix, a longstanding player in the smart glasses market, showcased its Z100 Smart Glasses Developer's Edition. Designed for specific industries like healthcare and manufacturing, these glasses offer guidance on IoT products and have a long battery life. Priced at $800, they are intended for organization-specific use cases.
Innovations and Partnerships
Shiftall presented its MeganeX headset for VR, featuring high-resolution OLED displays and offering a lightweight design. The company also showcased the HaritoraX Wireless body tracker for StreamVR, allowing for immersive and precise tracking of movements.
Sightful's Spacetop laptop, coupled with the included glasses, provides a unique display experience with a large virtual screen. While it may not appeal to those who prefer a traditional monitor, it could be useful in situations where privacy is a concern.
Qualcomm unveiled its XR2+ Gen 2 chip, boasting improved display resolution and performance. Companies like Varjo and Meta rely on Qualcomm's chips, and Sony announced its partnership with Siemens for a high-end XR head-mounted display aimed at 3D content creation and industrial applications.
The Future of AR and VR Headsets
The advancements in AR and VR headsets in recent years are impressive, particularly for specialized applications like training, maintenance, and military use. The current generation of headsets also appeals greatly to gamers. However, it remains to be seen whether there will be enough compelling use cases for mainstream business users to adopt these headsets on a wide scale.
Overall, CES 2024 showcased the progress of AR and VR technology, with a range of headsets offering varying features and price points. It's clear that the industry is actively pushing the boundaries of these immersive technologies to bring us closer to the metaverse.
For more coverage on the top products from CES 2024, check out our article on the best smart glasses at the event.
