One Month Update - 6/8/2023
Over the past month, these AR glasses have proven to be more versatile and useful than I initially anticipated, effectively integrating into my daily routine and offering a fresh perspective on my digital interactions.
Usability: The glasses have become a convenient companion during light walks and for watching YouTube videos, offering an immersive, mobile experience. Coupled with the screen scaling option on my Steam Deck, they've truly shined.
Productivity: Although the lack of a fixed workspace presents certain challenges, for video consumption, these glasses excel and offer a unique viewing experience.
Battery Life: A full charge provides around 2-3 hours of use. For uninterrupted enjoyment, I recommend keeping your devices fully charged.
Innovation: Despite some initial hiccups, these glasses represent a fascinating first step in AR technology. They've reshaped how I interact with my digital environment, hinting at the potential future of this technology.
A significant shift in my user experience occurred when I decided to remove the light blockers. Initially, they caused nausea and felt uncomfortable. However, when removed, the device transitioned into a more traditional AR setting, allowing clear visibility of my surroundings. This change proved to be much easier on both my eyes and mind, enhancing my overall user experience.
In light of these experiences and the flexibility of the device to cater to different user preferences, I am upgrading my rating from 3 stars to 4. Despite a few early-stage quirks, the AR glasses have made a positive impression and left me excited about the future of AR technology.
Pros:
Impressive text clarity, surpassing many VR devices
Comfortable to wear with minimal fatigue after extended use
Smooth experience with Netflix, YouTube, and similar content
Compatibility with various platforms including Samsung Dex, iPad, and Mac
Cons:
Static screen moves with every tilt of the head, hampering productivity tasks
Issues with YouTube TV on iPad
Inconsistent experience across different platforms
Noticeable circular fringe on lenses caused by light prisms
Goggles' cover is smaller than the actual glasses, making it a tight fit
Lack of critical reviews on platforms like YouTube
The NREAL Air goggles, while promising, present a mixed bag of experiences. They have some commendable features, but there are several areas where they fall short of expectations.
Starting with the positives, the text clarity is impressive, surpassing many VR devices I've used. This makes it a decent choice for movie viewing. The comfort of wearing the goggles is also noteworthy. I didn't experience much fatigue even after extended use, which is a significant plus. Watching Netflix, YouTube, and other similar content was a smooth experience, adding to the device's appeal.
However, the static screen that moves with every tilt of your head can be disconcerting. This feature, while tolerable for movies, hampers productivity tasks like working on Excel or Word documents. I also encountered issues with the goggles working with YouTube TV on an iPad, which was a letdown.
The device's compatibility with various platforms is a plus, but the experience is inconsistent. It worked well with my Samsung phone and Samsung Dex, and even with an iPad, though I encountered some HDCP issues that prevented video playback on the goggles. The Nebula app for Mac was the best fit, but the 16:9 aspect ratio limited its usability. Unfortunately, the PC experience was limited due to the lack of a Nebula app, resulting in a locked location. As for the Steamdeck, the experience varied depending on the game. Some games felt jarring and uncomfortable, detracting from the overall enjoyment. However, other games were quite enjoyable, making the experience a mixed bag.
The quality of the lenses is satisfactory, but there's a noticeable circular fringe caused by light prisms, which can be distracting, especially when viewing bright content. This issue seems inherent to the lens design and is unlikely to be fixable via software updates.
The goggles' cover is another area of concern. It's smaller than the actual glasses, making it a tight fit. I found the device more comfortable and immersive without the cover, despite the resultant washed-out picture and screen reflections.
In conclusion, the NREAL Air has potential but falls short in its current iteration. It's not as productive as I had hoped, and the screen lock to head movement can be problematic. It needs significant improvements, perhaps in a second or third generation, to truly shine. For now, I remain on the fence about this product.
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 | XREAL Air AR Glasses, Smart Glasses with Massive 201" Micro-OLED Virtual Theater, Augmented Reality Glasses, Watch, Stream, and Game on PC/Android/iOS–Consoles & Cloud Gaming Compatible | Vufine VUF-110 Wearable Display | Ray-Ban Stories | Wayfarer Smart Glasses with Photo, Video & Audio | ThirdEye's X2 Mixed Reality + Augmented Reality Smart Glasses with Remote Eye Applications Suite for Deep Learning Movie Massive Screen 1280P See Through Binocular Display 42° FoV, 64 GB | |
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| Customer Rating | (1379) | (1379) | (398) | (1710) | (0) |
| Price | From $500.92 | $379.00 | $174.00 | $239.20 | $2,799.00 |
| Shipping | — | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details | FREE Shipping. Details |
| Sold By | Available from these sellers | XREAL Direct | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | ThirdEye Gen, Inc |
| Brand Name | XREAL | — | Vufine | Ray-Ban | ThirdEye |
| Color | Dark Black | Black | color_Black | Shiny Black/Green | — |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone, Game Console, Personal Computer, Tablet | — | Smartphone | Smartphone | Smartphone, Tablet, Personal Computer |
| Connectivity Technology | USB | USB Type-C DP (DisplayPort Alt Mode) | Infrared | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Operating System | Android, iOS | — | — | — | Android |
| Special Feature | AR Glasses with Massive 201” Micro-OLED 60hz Virtual Theater, TÜV Certificated Eye Protection | — | Adjustable position | Camera, Phone Call, Video Recording, Voice Control | Android 9 OS |
| Wireless Communication Standard | Bluetooth | — | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | — |
From the brand
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XREAL is an augmented reality company
ushering in the next generation of user interactions that merge the physical and digital worlds. XREAL's mission is to make AR accessible for everyone with it's line of AR glasses, XREAL Air and XREAL Light, accompanied by XREAL's self-developed 3D interactive system Nebula and MythReal Optical Engine.
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Michael
Ensure updated before use!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 15, 2023Color: BlackVerified Purchase
paddy567
Good hardware - bad software. Great portable monitor, but be realistic with expectations
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