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Vuzix posts

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

by Darren Murph posted Oct 25th 2009 at 10:01AM

Vuzix's $249.95 Wrap 310 is probably the least hideous / heinous of the video eyewear options on the market today, and while it's still take a few bottles of Jack to get us to rock these with a smile, those who are just high on life can now make a set their own. In case you're forgotten, these things provide a virtual 55-inch screen in front of your eyes, and there's support for iPod / iPhone connections as well as basic sources such as DVD players and the like. And hey, there's also the possibility that these could be used in augmented reality applications in the future, so feel free to considering this some sort of futuristic investment. Just like those Y2K preparedness tapes you bought in '99.

Continue reading Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear actually isn't the ugliest thing of all time

by Darren Murph posted Sep 16th 2009 at 10:44AM

Could it be? Could it really be? Has Vuzix actually deployed a video eyewear solution that isn't completely unsightly in every imaginable way? Our eyes may be deceiving us, but we're going with "yes, amazingly" for the time being. Unlike the company's iWear line -- which looks pretty much exactly like the specs worn by Geordi La Forge -- the unpriced Wrap 310 resembles a set of sunglasses. Now, these aren't apt to be mistaken for Aviators or those patented Kayne joints, but at least you'd look halfway civilized if caught in public with these on your face. Packing a pair of video displays and promising a virtual 55-inch image, these get juiced by just two AA cells and can play nice with pretty much any video source, iPod and iPhone included. There's also an expansion port that'll give it VGA / component outputs in the near future, and if you subscribe to science fiction, it could also be used to read minds in around a score.

Gallery: Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear actually isn't the ugliest thing of all time

Continue reading Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear actually isn't the ugliest thing of all time

New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

by Darren Murph posted Apr 2nd 2009 at 7:38PM

We know your pain, Vuzix users. You hop on the subway just trying to enjoy a little in-your-face action before the workday begins, and within minutes the accusations and stereotypes start flying. "Look, it's Geordi La Forge!" "LeVar Burton, what's good?!" "Can I try my Zune on that?" Depressing, really. Unfortunately for you, Vuzix's latest cable will not make any of that any more sufferable, though it will enable you to use your existing eyewear with Apple's iPhone and enjoy the spoils of side-by-side, interlaced and anaglyph 3D content. Said cable will be bundled in with the company's iWear AV230XL, though existing customers will definitely want to snag the standalone version for $39.95. The full release is after the break.

Continue reading New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again

by Darren Murph posted Mar 25th 2009 at 2:43PM

Nintendo ain't the only company making waves at the Game Developers Conference this year -- oh no, we've also got Vuzix gettin' down and dirty with a brand new addition to its video eyewear segment. Said outfit has teamed up with metaio in order to showcase a new Augmented Reality Accessory Kit for the VR920 head-mounted display. The bundle will include the CamAR -- a clip-on USB camera that is designed to accurately track objects and the user's position in three-dimensional space -- along with the PhasAR wireless augmented reality input controller. When these are used in unison, users are able to simultaneously see what's going on in the Matrix and in the display. For instance, imagine reading a book that's tied into a program on the VR920; as you read along, images can pop up and complement the text. Far out, right? The full release is after the break, and we've been told that the attachment should sell for around $100 on top of the $399 VR920 when it ships around mid-Summer.

Continue reading Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again

Engadget's recession antidote: win a Vuzix AV310!

by Laura June posted Mar 11th 2009 at 12:30PM

This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got a Vuzix AV310 on offer -- for real! You know you want to look cool in one of the bad boys! Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Check after the break for some photos of the prize!

Special thanks to Vuzix for providing the gear!

The rules:

Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one Vuzix AV 310. Approximate value is $250.
If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, March 11th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Vuzix's $249.95 iWear AV310 Widescreen eyewear now shipping globally

by Darren Murph posted Feb 20th 2009 at 2:34AM

It's taken awhile for Vuzix's iWear AV310 Widescreen to escape the show floor and begin shipping en masse, but those looking for a little on-the-go video can finally strap a set on after handing over $249.95. Reportedly, these things throw up a virtual 52-foot screen viewed from 9-feet (we take it that means "big"), and there's independent +2 to -5 diopter focus levels on each side in order to keep things from blurring out on you. You can also expect upwards of five hours from a single AA battery, and given the adjustable, hypoallergenic nose piece and the "comfort fit" earbuds, we'd say you just might be able to survive 5.5 (give or take) straight episodes of 24. If you're curious as to where to find a pair, head to Brookstone, SkyMall, MicroCenter, Hammacher Schlemmer or Vuzix.com. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: Vuzix's $249.95 iWear AV310 Widescreen eyewear now shipping globally

Continue reading Vuzix's $249.95 iWear AV310 Widescreen eyewear now shipping globally

Vuzix to unveil new, less cool-looking HMD at CES

by Laura June posted Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:07AM

Looks like we'll all get our first good look at Vuzix's newest head-mounted display -- the Wrap 920AV -- at CES in a few days. They're apparently very similar to the company's previous offering, though they boast a totally fresh appearance. Vuzix promises that the optics have been improved and will offer a better viewing experience, but we don't have any other specifics about the device yet. We'll definitely check them out in Vegas, but we have to say: the Geordi La Forge look was way better than the new wrap-shades, guys.

Eyes-on with Vuzix's iWear AV310 Widescreen wearable display

by Joshua Fruhlinger posted Oct 9th 2008 at 9:03AM

Vuzix will have you wearing your display if it's the last thing you do. We spotted the headset maker's new AV310 Widescreen wearable headset at TGS, and were pleased with the improvement over the company's previous entries into the head-mounted display market. First, the 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio is a major bonus for, oh, any game that's come out in the past two years. Second, the headphones hang on cables rather than in fixed locations, promising what we felt was a much more comfortable fit. Picture quality was acceptable at such a short distance, but we're still not completely sold on the goggle look just yet. Hit the break for a couple more shots.

Continue reading Eyes-on with Vuzix's iWear AV310 Widescreen wearable display

Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD

by Stephanie Patterson posted Sep 17th 2008 at 6:12AM

Although the iWear AV310 Widescreen from Vuzix isn't the first 3D HMD we've come across, or the largest virtual display (likened to a 52" screen viewed from 9-feet), it's the first 16:9 widescreen version to hit the market. Equipped for use with both NTSC and PAL, this unit will run you about $250 and has a mysterious "video" input for use with a wide range of devices, though there's currently nothing to say what style of connector can be used or what resolution it runs at. Oh well... we're still waiting on a headtracking version anyway.

Update: As a commenter pointed out, this likely isn't the first "widescreen" HMD, though the company is claiming it's the first 16:9 model.

[Thanks, Greg]

Vuzix iWear AV920-C further isolates multi-player gamers

by Thomas Ricker posted Jan 17th 2008 at 5:56AM

Vuzix, once known as Icuiti, is back with a modified video eyewear design for gamers which they claim is a world's first. The AV902-C starts with their AV902 headset's twin 640 x 480 LCDs. They then add the ability to segment multi-player displays so that the person wearing the AV902-C only sees their half (2-player) or quadrant (in 4-player) of the screen presented as a 62-inch virtual display. Up to four of the AV902-C's can be daisy chained together for distraction-free (and cheat-free) gaming. Available February for an undisclosed price.

[Via Gizmag]

Vuzix introduces LV920: the HMD for the visually impaired

by Darren Murph posted Nov 14th 2007 at 6:16AM

While it's typically far too easy to bash on a new head-mounted display due to its unsightly design, we'll restrain ourselves when talking about the LV920. Vuzix, which veterans may remember as Icuiti, has introduced a new HMD that is tailored specifically for individuals with macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and other low vision problems. Apparently, preclinical trials have shown promising results, and the firm is aiming to ship 'em out en masse sometime this quarter. Vuzix claims that the eyewear will improve vision when reading and boost color perception, but we'd be tempted to wait for a third party confirmation (or denial) before throwing down on something like this.