The Viture One XR glasses offer users a unique and portable virtual experience. These glasses can be plugged directly into a smartphone, laptop, or Nintendo Switch, acting as a USB-C monitor. Additionally, there is an optional neckband computer running Android that allows for cloud gaming, remote play from a console, and movie streaming from Netflix.
The Viture One XR glasses gained attention when they raised over $3 million on Kickstarter, surpassing the original Oculus Rift. Now, a year later, these mixed-reality glasses are being shipped to their backers. I had the opportunity to test the Viture One Ultimate Pack, which includes the neckband, mobile dock, and other extras. While these glasses are the best XR glasses I’ve used so far, there is still room for improvement.
XR is an umbrella term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). VR has found a niche audience but has not achieved mass adoption. Recently, mixed and augmented reality have gained more attention, especially with the anticipation of Apple’s Vision Pro. Although technologies like Google Glass and Microsoft Hololens have had limited success, there is renewed excitement for the future of mixed reality.
The Viture One XR glasses are similar to virtual reality headsets, but they do not support VR games. These glasses allow users to see the world around them while projecting a translucent screen on top of their real environment. They are compact and sleek, weighing just 78 grams. These glasses are part of a recent wave of similar devices, such as the Nreal Air, Lenovo Glasses T1, and the Spacetop AR laptop. However, the Viture One XR glasses focus primarily on entertainment, specifically gaming.
Compared to the chunky Vuzix Blade, the Viture One XR glasses demonstrate significant progress in XR technology. At first glance, they could pass for regular sunglasses and are lighter and slimmer than the Xreal Air. However, once you put them on, it becomes clear that they are not ordinary glasses.
Comfort has been a common concern among early users of the Viture One XR glasses. It can be challenging to find the right fit and focus with the tiny screens projected in front of your eyes. The micro-OLED panels behind the lenses require some space, so users often end up sliding the glasses further away from their eyes, making them sit lower on the nose. This adjustment allows the eyes to focus, but it may look a bit unusual to those around you.
To address comfort issues, Viture provides four nose pad sections that can be adjusted to find the right fit. There is also a diopter dial for each eye to adjust the focus. After some adjustment, I was able to find a comfortable position and sharpen the screen, but overall, I would not describe the glasses as highly comfortable.
In terms of controls, the Viture One XR glasses have dials on top for focus adjustment and an electrochromic film button on the underside of the left stalk. The electrochromic film darkens the lenses, providing a less distracting backdrop for the screen. There is also a volume rocker button for controlling the built-in speakers developed with Harman. While the speakers are not very powerful, they are sufficient for personal use without disturbing others nearby.
In conclusion, the Viture One XR glasses offer a unique and portable virtual experience. While they are the best XR glasses available so far, there is still room for improvement in terms of comfort and overall user experience. As XR technology continues to advance, we can expect even more exciting and immersive experiences in the future.
