Engadget

Silicon Micro Display rolls out $799 ST1080 wearable display

Donald Melanson — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:27:00 EST

It may still be some time before you can take Google's ambitious wearable computing project for a spin, but there's certainly no shortage of head-mounted displays out there for those looking to blaze a trail of their own. You can now add Silicon Micro Display's new ST1080 glasses to that list, a full 1080p display that will handle both 2D and 3D content (in a variety of formats), and also allow you to see through the glasses for augmented reality applications (albeit with just 10 percent transparency). As with most such glasses, however, you won't get head-tracking capabilities, and you'll have a couple of tethers to contend with (HDMI for video and USB for power, including via an optional battery pack). Those not put off by those constraints or the whole visor look can place their order now for $799.

[Thanks, Majik]

Silicon Micro Display rolls out $799 ST1080 wearable display originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 03:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung patents using a phone as a pointer while wearing a head-mounted display

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:54:00 EST

We're not sure how many head-mounted displays you've had your follicles on, but generally the answer around the Engadget compound is, "quite a few." If you've ever played with such a wearable gadget though, you'd know that head-tracking, while intuitive, isn't always the most accurate way to control a device. Samsung has patented an alternative method that lets you keep wearing those silly goggles, but uses your cellphone almost like a gyroscopic mouse to pilot a pointer. Rather than use a gyroscope or accelerometer (both of which are present in many modern smartphones), Samsung's patent turns to the camera -- a feature found in even the lowliest dumbphone. The primarily software-based solution would require that both the phone's sensor and the display have an agreed upon background marker to help line up the motions. If you're the type that loves to dig through the minutiae of patents there's something seriously wrong with you, but you'll find what you're looking for at the source.

Samsung patents using a phone as a pointer while wearing a head-mounted display originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:06:00 EST

The Carl Zeiss Cinemizer OLED has been a long time in the making -- we first heard about the video glasses at Macworld in 2008 -- but the company has yet to push the head-mounted display past the prototype phase. We stumbled upon Zeiss' booth here at CeBIT, where we found a version of the glasses that look mighty similar to the mock-up we saw in marketing materials from 2010, but are now equipped with a pair of head-tracking modules to expand the yet-to-be released marvel's practicality. With head-tracking now on board, the Cinemizer can theoretically appeal to gamers, architects, even educators, who can use the glasses in the classroom.

We took a look at an Inreal CAD app demo that lets the wearer navigate a yet-unbuilt house, walking through virtual rooms (a joystick is used for forward motion, so you won't be accidentally walking into physical walls) as you judge paint colors, furniture placement and try to convince your significant other that there really is room for a 65-inch HDTV. The tracking modules are located behind the ear rests on each side of the OLED glasses, which have seen a slight boost in resolution since we last heard about them, jumping from VGA to 870 x 500 pixels in each OLED panel. Tracking was responsive and accurate -- the experience of walking around a room felt almost lifelike. What's even more exciting than the device's performance is that we may finally see these hit stores in 2012, with a tentative summer ship date. And, while still a pricey addition to your display collection, the Cinemizer lands on the inexpensive end of the Zeiss product scale, ringing up at €649 (about $850), plus another €100 for the tracking hardware. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Gallery: Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on

Continue reading Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)

Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's HMZ-T1 headset gets a DIY VR upgrade (video)

Donald Melanson — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST

Sony's new HMZ-T1 headset may look like the virtual reality headset you always dreamed of back in the 1990s, but it's not -- at least, not out of the box. It's simply a wearable 3D display, with none of the head-tracking capabilities necessary for a truly immersive experience. Of course, that little drawback isn't going to stop the more DIY-minded individuals among us, one of whom has now paired the headset with a TrackIR 5 head-tracking device and demonstrated the results on YouTube. Check out some VR-ified World of Warcraft and Skyrim after the break.

Continue reading Sony's HMZ-T1 headset gets a DIY VR upgrade (video)

Sony's HMZ-T1 headset gets a DIY VR upgrade (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video)

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:46:00 EST

Those of you familiar with the Dominion headsets from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine will probably guess exactly what this wearable AR system does from the picture alone. Japan's institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is putting the finishing touches on a device to help newbies through complex and dangerous jobs. A head-mounted GoPro Hero 2 HD relays a picture back to an expert, who directs the action while wearing colored gloves. Using color separation, just the hand movements are sent back to the user, processed by a Toughbook in a backpack and overlaid onto the Shimadzu Data Glass HUD. There's nothing special about the tech, but that's what makes it so likely we'll see this making the leap to reality -- more so, because all of the components are off-the-shelf. The only issue is with the unit's software calibration, which takes far too long, but AIST hopes to remedy this over time. Just be careful if you see a backseat driver with blue gloves -- they could make your life miserable.

Continue reading Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video)

Head-mounted AR trainer is another Star Trek prop come to life (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's 3D HMD goes exclusive for Harrods, leaves America waiting

James Trew — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST

Sony's Personal 3D Viewer's finally found its way off the showroom floor and on to the shelves of Harrods? That's right, the dual screen 1280 x 720 0.7-inch OLED sporting headset'll initially be a limited exclusive to the well-heeled UK retailer, with a general country-wide release set for later this month. US gamers will have to hold out just a few more days until its end of October launch, but if you're super impatient, there's always that import option. Think you can shell out for the £800 (about $1,276) price tag? Then plan to pick one up the next time you're in town to see the Queen.

Sony's 3D HMD goes exclusive for Harrods, leaves America waiting originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces a 4K projector for the home, prices HMZ-T1 3D head mounted display in the US

Richard Lawler — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:47:00 EST

There's a new king atop Sony's line of ES projectors: the VPL-VW1000ES. Presented at CEDIA this afternoon, it bypasses all the beamers Sony's delivered for home use so far -- including the recent VPL-HW30AES and VPL-VW95ES models -- by featuring a stunning 4K resolution, four times that of standard HD projectors based on an all new SXRD panel. Scheduled to go on sale this December it also claims a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 2,000 ANSI lumens of brightness that allows it to project on screens of sizes up to 200-inches. Whether or not you can scrape together the ducats for a 4K projector this Christmas, there are other options for home theater nuts in the form of two new receivers for the ES line that will also be available. The STR-DA5700ES and STR-DA3700ES will ship in November but more than their hardware specs, they feature a new onscreen UI that's supposed to be easier to use. The only device at the presentation with a pricetag was the HMZ-T1 3D viewer we tried out at IFA last week, which has been announced for the US in November with a price "around" $799. Expect more in person pics in a moment, meanwhile the press releases after the break have all the information currently available.

Update: Now with more pictures. During the presentation Sony showed a 4K clip from its upcoming Spiderman flick on a VPL-VW1000ES that looked every bit as beautiful as you might imagine. Also in the gallery is a shot of the new "activity based UI" for the receivers that looks at least something like the graphical upgrade the XMB has always needed. You'll also spy one more device, the funky new SA-NS500 Network Speaker. It's a portable sound blaster with 6 hours of battery life and AirPlay compatibility for $399, shipping in November.

Gallery: Sony CEDIA 2011 presentation

Continue reading Sony announces a 4K projector for the home, prices HMZ-T1 3D head mounted display in the US

Sony announces a 4K projector for the home, prices HMZ-T1 3D head mounted display in the US originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)

Brian Heater — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:34:00 EST

Easily the most unusual highlight of today's Sony IFA press conference, the HMZ-T1 goes where many other companies have tried and failed. The head-mounted display, first introduced as a prototype back in January at CES, has finally graduated into a real product. The device is aimed at gamers and TV watchers, generating a 3D image with use of a pair of 0.7-inch OLED panels, which each display separate images, doing away with the ghost imagery that often comes along with 3D displays. The device is a solid piece of hardware, just what one would expect from Sony -- especially for a piece of hardware that'll run you around $600 when it hits the US around the November / December time frame. Check out a hands-on video of the device after the break.

Gallery: Sony HMZ-T1 hands-on

Continue reading Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)

Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th

Richard Lawler — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:29:00 EST

Remember that crazy wearable 3D display concept Sony was showing off at CES 2011? Turns out the company is actually going to make it, and the HMZ-T1 is scheduled to be released in Japan on November 11th. While the design has changed slightly since we first laid our eyes, and heads, on it, the specs appear to be the same, with two 1280x720 0.7-inch OLED panels mounted in front of each eye giving the wearer an experience similar to viewing a 750-inch screen from 20m away, as well as 5.1 surround sound from headphones integrated into the Head Mounted Display (HMD). You can see the helmet above, as well as the processor unit (complete with HDMI input and output, so you can take off the helmet and watch on TV) that it must remain tethered to. Pricing is expected to be 60,000 yen ($783 US). Check out the press release and our hands-on video from CES after the break and decide if living out a Geordi La Forge-style fantasy is worth it.

Gallery: Sony's 3D head-mounted display prototype face-on

Continue reading Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th

Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crescent's Immersive Digital Entertainment VR: it's like a Virtual Boy that you wear

Darren Murph — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:03:00 EST

From what we've gathered in the video just below the break, the graphical capabilities aren't terribly impressive on Crescent's Immersive Digital Entertainment VR system, but really -- who cares? It's a motion gaming solution... that you wear. On your head. When placed in the proper scenario, it gives gamers a full 360 degree space to interact in, with an array of HD motion capture cameras making the virtual reality that much less virtual (and in turn, that much more reality). Hard to say if this thing will ever have a life in the commercial realm, but yeah, we'd buy one.

Continue reading Crescent's Immersive Digital Entertainment VR: it's like a Virtual Boy that you wear

Crescent's Immersive Digital Entertainment VR: it's like a Virtual Boy that you wear originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:47:00 EST

The folks at Fraunhofer IPMS have done it! After years of tireless research and promises of Borg-like eyewear, the group has delivered a prototype of the world's first bidirectional, eye-tracking OLED microdisplay (got all that?) at SID 2011. The rig is much like a monocle, except with a transparent OLED display inside, which overlays digital information on top of the reflected light that usually hits your eyeballs. What's more, there are integrated photodetectors inside and special software to monitor the direction of your gaze, allowing you to interact with your newfound augmented reality using only the flick of an eyeball. Fraunhofer foresees joggers taking in movies while out for a run, which sounds more than just a little dangerous. We, on the other hand, envision a world in which the first thing anyone does upon meeting someone new is discreetly check their relationship status on Facebook -- finally fulfilling the social network's full creep potential. One more pic and the poorly translated PR after the break.

Continue reading Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers

Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA's next-gen wearable display: augmented-reality, holographic sunglasses

Jesse Hicks — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:39:00 EST

The US military seems to adore the idea of wearable displays, hence its continued efforts to make them a reality. We know it seems like just yesterday that DARPA tapped Lockheed Martin to build low-power, lightweight augmented-reality eyewear, and it was actually four full years ago when the wild and wonderous dream was to craft HMDs as small and light as "high-fashion sunglasses." Well, that dream lives on, this time with holograms: the lenscrafters at Vuzix just received a cool million to develop goggles that holographically overlay battlefield data on the wearer's vision. It all sounds very Dead Space (or, you know, like a Top Secret version of Recon-Zeal's Transcend goggles), promising realtime analysis of anything within sight. The company believes the finished product will be no more than 3mm thick and completely transparent when turned off. If all goes well, expect this to trickle down to consumers in short order; soon you'll have full "situational awareness" -- including relationship status -- of that mysterious stranger you've been eyeballing from across the room.

DARPA's next-gen wearable display: augmented-reality, holographic sunglasses originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included

Darren Murph — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:19:00 EST

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? If you'll recall, we heard that Recon Instruments was fixing to up-end the winter sports goggle market in February of this year, with an optimistic-at-the-time ship date of October 2010. Lo and behold, the outfit has managed to nail its estimate, and the planet's first GPS-enabled goggles are now available to highfalutin' skiers and snowboarders. At least initially, the company will be rolling out a limited set, with two models to choose from: the $499 Transcend SPPX is fitted with an SPPX polarized and photochromic lens, while the $399 Transcend SPX features an SPX polarized lens. Aside from the fact that these probably cost less than those ho hum Oakleys in the ski shop, they're equipped with a Zeal Optics' frame design with a micro LCD display, which appears to hang approximately six feet in front of the user. That head-mounted display provides real-time feedback to the wearer, including speed, latitude / longitude, altitude, vertical distance traveled, total distance traveled, a chrono / stopwatch mode, a run-counter, temperature and time. Yeah, wow. You can bet we'll be trying to snag a set for review when we do our best impression of "hitting the slopes" post-CES.

Gallery: Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles

Continue reading Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included

Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canon's Wonder Camera, and other future concepts that tease us from behind glass

Ross Miller — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST

Canon had a lot to show for itself at its annual expo today, from the EOS 60D to the (working!) Multipurpose 4K concept, but the best goodies are of course the ones just a few steps outside of today's technological limits. One display in particular that caught our eye was the 2010 Image Creation set, featuring the bold Wonder Camera Concept from July. Nothing functional here, not even in sleight-of-hand video render form, but the models are quite the lookers. Joining the "SLR Style Concept" (as it was being called here, according to the accompanying placard) were the 3D Cam, Image Palette (display), Image Navi Cam (point and shoot), and MR HMD (helmet) -- all aesthetically Kubrick in nature. Not that we mind, of course; we find it best to go ahead and accept our future for the glossy white design motif that it'll assuredly become. Elsewhere, we happened upon the purported "world's largest CMOS sensor" -- not that we'd argue with what we saw -- and the more compact 120 megapixel CMOS, along with (separately) its panoramic camera prototype body. You can live vicariously through us in the photos below.

Gallery: Canon's 2010 future concepts

Canon's Wonder Camera, and other future concepts that tease us from behind glass originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY VR rig makes neck pain an un-virtual reality

Donald Melanson — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:18:00 EST

Sure, there's plenty of practical VR options available these days (DIY and otherwise), but there's also something to be said for rigs that stick to virtual reality's cumbersome, unwieldy roots. Sharing that sentiment is DIYer Gavan Woolery, who combined an Acer GD235HZ 3D monitor, a pair of shutter glasses, and a TrackIR 5 head-tracking system to build this rig that manages to make the helmet from Videodrome look comfortable. Of course, Woolery is completely up front that the rig is "not in any way designed to be practical," but it does seem to work remarkably well, and it's reasonably inexpensive to build yourself if you're so inclined -- at least compared to other dedicated VR rigs. Head on past the break to check it out in action, and hit up the source link below for the complete details.

Continue reading DIY VR rig makes neck pain an un-virtual reality

DIY VR rig makes neck pain an un-virtual reality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST

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

Filed under: Displays, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear ships out to virtual big-screen lovers originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:44:00 EST

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

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Vuzix Wrap 310 video eyewear actually isn't the ugliest thing of all time originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Optinvent promises to offer Clear Vu HMD for less than $200

Donald Melanson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:02:00 EST

While some may say that price isn't the main factor that's been holding HMDs back from mass acceptance, France's Optinvent (a spin-off of Thomson S.A.) is apparently of that opinion, and it's now promising to deliver a full-fledged HMD for less than $200 by the end of next year. In addition to their trend-setting good looks (to be further refined in the final version), the company's so-called Clear Vu goggles make use of a reflection system that displays images in the wearer's field of vision rather than completely obstructing it, which the company says opens to the door a whole host of augmented reality possibilities -- like heads-up GPS directions, for instance. Unfortunately, the company isn't offering much in the way of actual specs just yet, although it does say the goggles will display an image size equivalent to a 71-inch TV placed 2.5 meters away.

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Optinvent promises to offer Clear Vu HMD for less than $200 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Myvu's Crystal EV is 30 percent more Crystal, 0 percent less ugly

Darren Murph — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:11:00 EST

We know, we know -- we're a little harsh on these so-called "personal media viewers," but really, when's the last time you saw someone you would actually speak to wearing these in public? Precisely. For the introverts and social outcasts who just couldn't care less about public perception, Myvu is introducing its very latest in video eyewear: the Crystal EV. Sporting the same SolidOptix technology as the original Crystal, these buggers boast a 64-inch equivalent screen size, which amounts to a 30 percent uptick over the originals. Curiously enough, Myvu asserts that these are available to purchase right now, but it completely failed to dish out a price. Bollocks.

[Via Coolest Gadgets]

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Myvu's Crystal EV is 30 percent more Crystal, 0 percent less ugly originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interactive data eyeglasses could bring the PC to your face, won't fix nearsightedness

Darren Murph — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:19:00 EST

Leave it the mad scientists at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft to concoct this one. Rather than just figuring out a way to read back information in one-way fashion on one's glasses (think Sixth Sense, but with eyewear), these folks are diving right in to the real stuff: bidirectional communication. In essence, their goal for the interactive data eyeglasses is to track eye movement in order to allow ones retinas to scroll through menus, flip through options and zoom in / out on a map. Obviously, a microdisplay will be necessary as well, but that's just half the battle. We'll confess -- we're still not humble enough to take our Vuzix HMD out in public, but we just might swap our Transitions[TM] for a set of these.

[Via OLED-Display]

Filed under: Wearables

Interactive data eyeglasses could bring the PC to your face, won't fix nearsightedness originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ATC3K action cam beautifully retrofitted into ski goggles

Darren Murph — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:08:00 EST

Remember Oregon Scientific's ATC3K digital action camera? Yeah, it's back and better than ever. Over at Biobug, one rather talented modder has decided to integrate said device into his UVEX ski goggles, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking. All that was required was a soldering iron, some cabling, a Dremel cutting tool, an ATC3K camera, AA battery box and a small plastic case. Oh, and time -- lots and lots of spare time. Hit the read link for a pictorial trip down assembly lane, and feel free to create your own for this winter's best-ever YouTube vids.

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Wearables

ATC3K action cam beautifully retrofitted into ski goggles originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 May 2009 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

Ross Miller — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST

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.

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Filed under: Handsets, Apple

New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST

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

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Video, Wearables

New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

Darren Murph — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST

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

Filed under: Other hardware, Apple

New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:43:00 EST

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

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Vuzix dips toes in augmented reality, makes video eyewear cool again originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:34:00 EST

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

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video, Wearables

Vuzix's $249.95 iWear AV310 Widescreen eyewear now shipping globally originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Laura June — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:07:00 EST

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.

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Vuzix to unveil new, less cool-looking HMD at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple patents motion-sensitive HMD concept in defiance of good taste

Samuel Axon — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:58:00 EST

Apple has added to its legacy of zany patents a head-mounted display with head-tracking technology intended to reduce viewer fatigue and disorientation (and induce nausea, if we're lucky) by simulating a theater or other viewing environment. The wearer of the device can pick a seat in the fake theater and then manipulate the image, zoom in and out, and look around thanks to an accelerometer and gyroscope built into the goggles. Few of these patents make it to market, but if you're eager to throw social acceptability out the window, there are already iPod and iPhone-compatible head-mounted displays on the market -- you'll just have to do without the positioning gimmick until Apple is crazy enough to actually sell this thing.

[Via TUAW]

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video, Wearables

Apple patents motion-sensitive HMD concept in defiance of good taste originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nikon announces Media Port UP300x head-mounted PMP

Nilay Patel — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:53:00 EST

Just when we were getting used to having most Nikon announcements thoroughly preceded by a flood of leaks, the company's managed to totally surprise us by introducing a new head-mounted display with PMP features -- and it actually looks pretty sweet. The WiFi-enabled 8GB Media Port UP UP300x has a .44-inch 640 x 480 screen that appears to be the equivalent of a 50-inch image viewed from about 10 feet away, and includes a motion sensor that allows media functions to be controlled through head movements. (There's also a "basic" 4GB UP300 that omits the motion control features.) Codec support is pretty slim, but there's a browser app and a new UP media store that allows for direct downloads. Two AA batteries will last for two hours of video or 270 minutes of audio, which should be enough time for you to look thoroughly like a dork, but we won't lie -- we'd buy one of these in a heartbeat if they ever make it out of Japan.

[Via Akihabara News]

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

Nikon announces Media Port UP300x head-mounted PMP originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD

Stephanie Patterson — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:12:00 EST

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]

Filed under: Portable Video

Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola patent application reveals cellphone / HMD combo craziness

Donald Melanson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:36:00 EST

It looks like Motorola isn't about to let Apple have the goofy, non-existent product spotlight to itself, with a recent patent application of its revealing some plans of its own for a head-mounted display. As you can see above, however, this one is no ordinary HMD, with it also able to be folded up into an apparently over-sized cellphone for times when you want to look slightly less conspicuous. Of course, the chances of such a product actually making it off the drawing board are pretty slim (thankfully), and no doubt even less likely given the recent cuts to Motorola's research division.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables

Motorola patent application reveals cellphone / HMD combo craziness originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola patent application reveals cellphone / HMD combo craziness

Donald Melanson — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Multimedia, Motorola, Misc

Motorola patent application reveals cellphone / HMD combo craziness originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Myvu's Shades 301 iPod Edition gets hands-on treatment

Darren Murph — Sat, 10 May 2008 20:53:00 EST

Surely you remember that Solo Plus HMD that Myvu aimed at iPod owners late last year? Wait, what? You purged that from your memory as soon as you saw it? Ah well, looks like you'll be on yet another blotting mission after peeking this, as the aforesaid outfit has delivered yet another option for those looking to check out iPod clips on their own personal theater and destroy any chance at garnering friends. The Shades 301 iPod Edition, which is set to cost two Benjamins, actually looks quite different (and dare we say, a smidgen better) than the Solo Plus, and reportedly comes bundled with a pair of Ultimate Ears earbuds, detachable Dock Connector cable, remote, integrated battery and a two-piece cable manager for its neck cabling. If you're inexplicably overcome with an urge to see more, you can check out a brief hands-on by following the read link below.

Filed under: Displays, Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

Myvu's Shades 301 iPod Edition gets hands-on treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 May 2008 20:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple files for head-mounted laser display patent, death of style imminent

Nilay Patel — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:34:00 EST

Dorks we may be, but we're just not ready for head-mounted displays to hit the mainstream -- which is why this patent application for laser-based headgear from Apple makes us cringe just as hard as the MyVu product line. Apple wants to up the nerd factor immeasurably by putting all the image processing and generation hardware in a belt-clipped processing box, which will allow the glasses to shrink down and potentially be indistinguishable from regular glasses. Laser-generated images from the box are then transmitted to wedge optics in the glasses via a fiber optic cable, and hey -- you're watching The Office on your glasses with a processing box clipped to your belt. Can you say "coolest guy in school?" Yeah, didn't think so -- no amount of white plastic and brushed aluminum will ever make this okay. The application just went public today, so there's a long way to go before Apple actually gets this patent -- here's hoping we get a similarly long reprieve from ubiquitous head-mounted displays.

[Via Unwired View]

Filed under: Wearables

Apple files for head-mounted laser display patent, death of style imminent originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Omni-directional treadmill allows individuals to sashay through virtual cities

Darren Murph — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:32:00 EST

Though not the first omni-directional treadmill we've ever seen, this version crafted for the EU-funded CyberWalk Project is entirely more interesting. The 6- x 6-meter device features an active walking area of 4.5- x 4.5-meters, and later this month, individuals anxious to prance through a virtual city will be able to strap on a head-mounted display, lace up their LA Lights and indulge in escapism. Aside from giving curious persons the ability to walk through a recreated version of ancient Pompeii, the device could also be used to meander through buildings not yet created or give firefighters a way to train without placing them in harm's way. Now, if only there was an option to dissolve into pixels and teleport to locales you find particularly intriguing, we'd be sold.

[Via Slashdot]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Omni-directional treadmill allows individuals to sashay through virtual cities originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brother Industries shows off eyeglass-mountable retina scanning display

Donald Melanson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:26:00 EST

While it's yet to be seen if eyeglass-mountable displays will become as commonly used as, say, Bluetooth headsets anytime soon, Brother Industries at least looks to be making some steady progress at shrinking 'em down to a reasonable size, and it's got a few other tricks up its sleeve to boot. That latter bit comes from its use of a retina-scanning system as opposed to a simple LCD mounted in front of your eye, which effectively uses your retina as a screen to make it appear like images are actually floating in space in front of you. What's more, while the eyepiece currently needs to be wired to a rather sizable contraption in order to pump out those free-floating images, the company says it expects to be able to switch to a wireless system and shrink things down to a decidedly more wearable size by 2010.

[Thanks, Tom]

Filed under: Wearables

Brother Industries shows off eyeglass-mountable retina scanning display originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HARV gives soldiers a robot's-eye view

Donald Melanson — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:26:00 EST

While battlefield robots are certainly plenty capable with their current control systems, the folks at Chatten Associates seem to think they can do things one better, and they're now touting their so-called HARV (Head-Aimed Remote Viewer) system as a potential alternative. That consists of a gimbal-mounted video system on the robot itself, which gets paired with some gyro-equipped goggles that let the robot to look around wherever the soldier moves his head. Of course, they didn't stop things there, with the setup also offering a 36x optical zoom, night vision, and other advantages that Chatten says can improve mission performance by 300% to 400%. As if that wasn't enough, the firm's also now apparently hard at work on an updated system set for delivery to the military next year that'll add a thermal imager, a higher resolution, and a laser rangefinder, among other things they're probably not willing to tell us. Head on over after the break for a video of the system in action.

Continue reading HARV gives soldiers a robot's-eye view

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

HARV gives soldiers a robot's-eye view originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dreamax Indicube Linux PMP comes with head-mounted display

Barb Dybwad — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:07:00 EST

Given that carting around an HMD with your PMP cuts down on that whole portability factor and all, but this new Linux PMP from Dreamax is notable for coming bundled with one all the same. The head-mounted Active Matrix 3DS OLED-XL microdisplay visor is being made by eMagin, known for their Z800 3D visor, and sports an 800 x 600 resolution reportedly equivalent to sitting seven feet from a 54-inch screen. The visor includes an integrated magnetic earphone station, adjustable nose clip and other "ergonomic enhancements" indicating that HMD companies might actually be aware that wearing these things is usually brutally uncomfortable. The Indicube i-800 itself is a Linux-based PMP with 12GB onboard storage plus an 8GB flash card, expandable to 32GB flash. Sizing up at 2.3 x 4.8 x 0.9-inches, the Indicube sports a USB 2.0 interface and an NTSC/PAL input that auto-detects AV from a number of sources including TVs, DVD players, iPods, PCs, other PMPs, smartphones, and game consoles. No word on price or availability for the package, but the eMagin HMD will also be sold separately starting in March.

[Via Linux Devices]

Filed under: Displays, Portable Audio, Portable Video

Dreamax Indicube Linux PMP comes with head-mounted display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured

Darren Murph — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:44:00 EST

Just as expected, Lumus-Optical is all set to showcase its microdisplay-packin' spectacles at CES, and while it doesn't seem that the technology has changed since we first heard of them, we've now got a slew of photographs to go by. Apparently, the glasses will boast twin microdisplays and an ultra-thin LOE lens, which can purportedly immerse the wearer by creating the effect of viewing a 60-inch screen from ten feet away. Also of note, the company claims that unlike gaudy alternatives, these won't make you look like a complete tool, but judging by the image above, we aren't so sure that's entirely accurate.

Read - Press release [PDF]
Read - Photos

Continue reading Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RelaxView is back to distract tattoo customers

Evan Blass — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST

We've certainly got to hand it to Dutch retailer relaxView B.V., which is making a name for itself by bundling off-the-shelf components together with a "hygiene set" and marketing the package as a distraction kit for providers of painful services. Following the presumed success of its relaxView 5.0 Dental Pack with tooth torturers worldwide, the company is back with what appears to be the exact same set of HMD plus video discman, but being sold this time around as the 6.0 Tattoo Pack. (FYI, we have no idea why the 5.0 and 6.0 packs both incorporate the relaxView 3.0 head mounted display -- and not the relaxView 4.0, which is the self-proclaimed "Rolls-Royce in video eyewear.") If you're looking to get your favorite tattoo artist something extra special this holiday season, relaxView will part with this kit for a mere €499 ($733) until Christmas, after which the price leaps up to €569 ($836).

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video

RelaxView is back to distract tattoo customers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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