glasses

June Wan/ZDNETZDNET's key takeawaysI'd recommend the Viture One XR glasses. Still, Viture has integrated some clever mechanisms with the lenses, like a self-dimming electrochromic film that you can toggle on or off depending on how bright your environment is. It's basically a built-in projector shade and helps the most when you're using the glasses outdoors.My best attempt at capturing what's shown when the glasses are worn. June Wan/ZDNETViture partnered with Harman to develop and tune the side-firing speakers…

Augmented reality glasses maker Xreal is raising fresh funding at a valuation that tops $1 billion, according to Chief Executive Officer Chi Xu, aiming to get out ahead of future devices from Apple Inc., Meta Platforms Inc. and Alphabet Inc.'s Google.The Chinese startup is raising $60 million in the round, bringing its total to more than $300 million, Chi said in an interview. That latest money comes from a key supply chain partner that he declined to identify. “This will help us scale our manufacturing capabilities and…

Apple Apple gave the Vision Pro headset incredible clarity. We know this even before the release date because a few people have received an invitation from Apple to try the Vision Pro for a brief time. In a few more days, the Vision Pro will launch more widely, so you can make an appointment at an Apple Store to check out the Vision Pro for yourself. None of that matters, though, if people who wear glasses can’t use prescription lenses to enjoy the Vision Pro’s large, sharp screens. That might be one of the most…

June Wan/ZDNETZDNET's key takeawaysStarting at $269, the Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen)ZDNET RECOMMENDS Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) Smart audio glasses that come with lens options for blue light filtering, prescriptions, and shades. In the hierarchy of smart glasses, you can think of the Echo Frames as the entry-level pair, ideal for users who want something discrete but with just enough technology to scratch that consumer itch. I've worn a few too many pairs of smart glasses over the past year, and these from…

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. Every prescription specs wearer has probably endured the rite of passage of trying dozens of glasses on for size at their local optometrist before eventually finding a frame that fits. That can be a hassle if you can’t get to your local eyewear shop, or you wear contact lenses and want to restock on a quick back-up option. If that’s the case, you can thank the digital age…

When I first the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, I wrote that some of the most intriguing features were the ones I couldn’t try out yet. Of these, the most interesting is what Meta calls “multimodal AI,” the ability for the glasses to respond to queries based on what you’re looking at. For example, you can look at text and ask for a translation, or ask it to identify a plant or landmark. The other major update I was waiting for was the addition of real-time information to the Meta AI assistant. Last fall, the assistant had a…

UZE Jacket Power Bank that charges and lives inside one of the jacket’s pockets.Photo: Angel Fajardo / GizmodoSo, how does this thing charge? The jacket comes with a Uze power bank and charging cable, which are built-in in one of its inner pockets. You first charge the power bank via a regular electrical outlet, and once it’s charged all the way, you plug it into the cable coming out of the pocket to charge the jacket. You can use the power bank to charge your other devices, too. The power bank took five to six hours on…

At CES 2024, ASUS seems to have taken people by surprise with the announcement of its AirVision M1 glasses, with some viewing it as an alternative to Apple’s Vision Pro headset. But I discovered that ASUS’ glasses are much more of a novel alternative to portable monitors than something meant for spatial computing.The big difference between the AirVision M1 glasses and something like the Vision Pro or even Xreal’s Air 2 Ultras is that it doesn’t really support anything in the way of interactive AR. Sure, the glasses are…

One of the primary reasons individuals turn to progressive lenses is due to natural changes in vision associated with aging. Czajkowski explains: "Usually, it's an age-related phenomenon... you get to around the age of 40, and you start to need a little more help up close because that (eye) lens gets tighter and doesn't pull." This condition, known as presbyopia, affects almost everyone as they age, necessitating lenses that can accommodate weakening near vision while still providing clarity for distance.Also: Buying a…

Even though Apple didn't have an official presence at CES 2024, the trade show still had a whole area dominated by mixed reality tech. One of the most popular booths there was none other than Xreal (formerly Nreal), which decided to ride on the Apple Vision Pro hype train and unveil its latest AR glasses, the Xreal Air 2 Ultra, in Las Vegas. The Chinese firm claims that its latest headset makes "an affordable alternative to" the likes of the $3,499 Vision Pro, though it's currently priced at $699 — a tad more than the…