OcuLenz restores the ability to read for people with central vision loss
OcuLenz is a high-resolution AR headset that compensates for AMD vision issues to make it easier to read. Ocutrx demonstrated OcuLenz at CES 2024, a device that helps people that are experiencing vision loss caused by advanced macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss among adults over 65. The AR headset includes two 2.5K displays, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1, a custom software that identifies blind spots in your central vision, then repositions details to areas where you can see well. The OcuLenz is now available for preorder.
Sightful launches Spacetop, a screen-less laptop that comes with smart glasses
Sightful Spacetop is a laptop that includes smart glasses, providing multi-screen productivity in a 10-inch device. The Spacetop was previously only available in limited quantities through an early access program. This portable computer is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1, the chip used in the Meta Quest 2, with 8 GB memory, 128 GB storage, and comes with Xreal Light AR glasses, which have 6DoF capabilities and a 52-degree FoV. The Spacetop provides over five hours of battery life, keyboard, touchpad, and the Spacetop OS to make best use of the spatial computing hardware. Xreal recently announced its second-generation AR glasses, the Air 2 Ultra.
The new Vuzix Z100 are rugged 36g smart glasses designed to streamline workflow
Vuzix just launched the developer's edition of its new Z100 smart glasses, which are lightweight, long-lasting, safety glasses for frontline workers. The Vuzix Z100 is based on the Ultralite platform but ruggedized for industrial environments. Weighing a little over an ounce (36g), these are among the lightest smart glasses with displays available. The monocular display appears on the right eye with a 30-degree field of view. The battery is expected to last for two days, making these display glasses very efficient. Interaction is via a touchpad on the temple.
Vuzix is an enterprise-focused smart glasses manufacturer with purpose-built wearables optimized for specific tasks. For more details and to order, visit Vuzix website at the link below. The augmented reality and smart glasses marketplace is heating up, with new AR glasses arriving from Xreal and RayNeo in 2024.
Rokid raises $70M for spatial computing as Apple launches the Vision Pro
Rokid raised nearly $70M in funding for ongoing spatial computing and AR development. Best known in the US for its Rokid Max smart glasses and Rokid Station accessory, but the company is a leading AR hardware manufacturer and software developer in China. Rokid's YodaOS provides a visionOS-like interface for the Rokid AR Studio, a spatial computing wearable that's not yet available in the US.
Rokid recently announced a major venture capital investment of nearly $70 million (500 million RMB) to “drive intensive innovation on metaverse applications and technologies.” The timing comes as Apple prepares to launch its Vision Pro headset.
Vision Pro plans leak for hands-on and review rollout
The Vision Pro is coming in February but anyone interested in Apple's spatial computer might want to make note of these other important dates.
We already know the Vision Pro will be in US stores starting February 2, 2024. Apple made that announcement recently, along with preorder details. The latest dates detailing review rollouts comes from a nearly infallible source of Apple insider news, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Hands-on experiences on January 16 with a more thorough review a week later. The first reviews will reportedly come at the end of the month.
For more details about Apple's first entry into the VR space, see our complete guide to the Vision Pro.
Apple’s carefully orchestrated Vision Pro reviews plan: a hands-on “experience” with chosen reviewers on Jan 16, a follow up meeting to go over the device again on Jan 23, device then shipped to reviewers. Reviews published at the end of the month. Nothing left to chance.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) January 9, 2024
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