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Engadget's recession antidote: win a Vuzix AV310!
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
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-45372%
Vuzix to unveil new, less cool-looking HMD at CES
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
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.
Vuzix rolls out 'first' widescreen HMD
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
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
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.
