Category: ces 2021

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Lenovo Unveils Enterprise-Focused ThinkReality A3 Smart Glasses at CES 2021

Lenovo ThinkReality A3

CES 2020 may have missed out on the pandemic thanks to its early January start but the 2021 event will no longer be the expansive tech show in Las Vegas, going digital like many others. Even so, tech companies are still revealing new hardware with Lenovo unveiling its ThinkReality A3 augmented reality (AR) glasses today.

Lenovo ThinkReality A3

An update to 2019’s ThinkReality A6 AR glasses, Lenovo’s new design offers a range of improvements over its predecessor – and not just a snazzier aesthetic. The ThinkReailty A3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 platform (previously Snapdragon 845), has dual fish-eye cameras for 6DoF tracking, comes in at under 130g (down from 380g), has stereoscopic 1080p displays, and an 8MP RGB camera for 1080p video.

Designed for companies looking to increase efficiency and lower downtimes as well as improve remote collaboration, Lenovo’s ThinkReality A3 glasses can be tethered to a PC (PC Edition) when in the office or select Motorola smartphones (Industrial Edition) – which have a Snapdragon 800 series processor or better – via a USB-C cable when out and about. The device supports features including voice and gesture recognition for hands-free control.

“The A3 is a next generation augmented reality solution – light, powerful and versatile. The smart glasses are part of a comprehensive integrated digital solution from Lenovo that includes the advanced AR device, ThinkReality software, and Motorola mobile phones. Whether working in virtual spaces or supporting remote assistance, the ThinkReality A3 enhances workers’ abilities to do more wherever they are,” said Jon Pershke, Lenovo Vice President of Strategy and Emerging Business, Intelligent Device Group in a statement.

Lenovo ThinkReality A6
Lenovo ThinkReality A6

There’s been no indication of price at the moment but companies will be able to get hold of the Lenovo ThinkReality A3 smart glasses in select markets from the middle 2021.

2021 is likely to see a boom in wearable AR tech as companies continue to adjust to remote, socially distanced collaboration. Whilst enterprise use cases will dominate adoption, the consumer market isn’t being ignored with the likes of Nreal Light slowly becoming available through mobile network carriers. Plus Facebook and Ray-Ban’s smart glasses are expected this year.

For further AR updates from CES 2021, keep reading VRFocus.

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Zeigt HTC VIVE morgen eine bahnbrechende VR-Brille?

Morgen startet die CES 2021 und eventuell werden wir eine neue VR-Brille von HTC VIVE sehen.

Neue VR-Brille von HTC in 2021

Erst kürzlich hatte ich berichtet, dass HTC im Jahr 2021 eine neue VR-Brille auf den Markt bringen will, welche an die Erfolge der ersten Generation der HTC Vive anknüpfen solle. Alvin Graylin, Präsident von HTC China, versprach sogar, VR auf ein neues Level zu bringen.

Ob HTC dieses versprechen einhalten wird, könnte sich bereits morgen zeigen, denn dann startet die CES 2021 und HTC nutzte diesen Zeitraum bereits häufiger, um neue Produkte vorzustellen. Zudem wurde im September eine HTC Vive Focus auf Geekbench gesichtet, welche wohl mit dem neuen XR2-Chip ausgestattet ist. Dies könnte bedeuten, dass wir eventuell morgen sogar einen Konkurrenten zur Oculus Quest 2 sehen werden.

Aktuell fehlt HTC in der Liste der Aussteller auf der Internetseite der CES 2021. Dies muss aber nicht bedeuten, dass HTC nicht die Messe für ein Gespräch mit der Presse nutzen wird.

Was denkt ihr? Wird morgen eine autarke Brille von HTC für Konsumenten vorgestellt?

Der Beitrag Zeigt HTC VIVE morgen eine bahnbrechende VR-Brille? zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

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Nolo VR Unveils New All-in-One VR Headset for CES 2021

Nolo VR

CES 2021 is a few days away from opening and like most is having to adjust to an all-digital event due to the pandemic. As companies gear up for a mass load of Zoom calls, virtual reality (VR) specialist Nolo VR has unveiled a couple of new products making their debut including an all-in-one headset.

Nolo VR All-in-One ODM Solution
6DoF Inside-Out All-in-One VR headset ODM Solution. Image credit Nolo VR

Currently without a product name – simply referred to as the 6DoF Inside-Out All-in-One VR headset – Nolo VR’s new device is an ODM solution designed for brands, mobile networks and other companies wishing to get into the market.

The headset uses Nolo VR’s SodarTraq ultrasonic positioning technology combined with a dual-camera SLAM solution for its 6DoF tracking. The system also comes with accompanying controllers with button configurations similar to Oculus Touch and Vive Cosmos designs.

No actual specs such as screen resolution or battery life have been revealed so far. Nolo VR has said the ODM solution will support brand customization needs such as regular/short-focus display, differentiated configuration and so forth. So expect the design to pop up in a few funky colours bundled in with a future phone contract.

Nolo VR X1
Nolo X1. Image credit Nolo VR

For CES 2021 that was Nolo VR’s only unrevealed bit of tech with the rest having previously featured at last years event. These include the Nolo N2 and Nolo CV1 Pro combo, a smartphone-based headset and 6DoF tracking solution.

Then there’s the Nolo CV1 Air, a 6DoF tracking kit designed for Huawei VR Glass and other similar VR headsets. Finally, there’s the Nolo X1 standalone headset, a true consumer focused standalone device offering wireless streaming for SteamVR. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR1 CPU the Nolo X1 features 3GB RAM, a 96-degree FoV, 75Hz refresh rate and a 2560 x 1440 resolution.

Unfortunately, with no physical event, VRFocus will have to wait and see what the new headset is like and then report back.

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Leaked Photos Reveal Possible Lenovo AR Glasses Ahead of CES 2021

A handful of unverified photos have revealed what appears to be a never before seen pair of AR glasses from Lenovo.

Images published by known leaker ‘WalkingCat’ have revealed the new AR headset, sporting the Lenovo’s ThinkReality badge, its enterprise-focused AR/VR product line.

We haven’t verified the authenticity of the photos, so it’s a mystery for now whether they’re mock-ups, internal prototypes, or production-ready AR glasses. The leaker WalkingCat hasn’t specified anything else about the AR headset in question, however there’s a few salient details we can guess just by looking at them.

Image courtesy ‘WalkingCat’

The AR glasses appear to be tethered on the left temple, suggesting it could have a dedicated compute unit that users can pocket, such as Magic Leap 1. Considering Lenovo’s ThinkReality product class is enterprise-focused, it’s possible it will connect via a dedicated compute unit, or even the class of mobile work PCs the company is best known for.

The headset’s near-eye optics sit behind the glass frame. From the photos it’s not exactly clear whether the headset makes use of waveguides like Microsoft HoloLens 2, or birdbath optics like Nreal Light. The lack of heavy lens shading points to waveguide optics, which are more costly and difficult to manufacture, but typically provide better brightness.

Image courtesy ‘WalkingCat’

From a straight-on shot, we get a cleared view of the headset’s optical sensors; there appears to be three main optical sensors, two on the left and right end pieces and a single sensor on the bridge. Possibly two additional sensors can be seen behind the exterior lenses, however it’s uncertain.

There’s also a closeup of the right end piece sensor, which is likely for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

Image courtesy ‘WalkingCat’

On the right temple you can see what looks like a volume rocker and possibly a textured select button in the center. A large nose piece looks capable of keeping the headset well off the user’s face.

Image courtesy ‘WalkingCat’

WalkingCat has been a reliable source of leaks over the years. Before their official announcements, the user revealed Oculus Quest 2, HP Reverb G2 and HoloLens 2.

Lending further credence, the device also seems very similar to a pair of prototype Lenovo AR glasses we saw in November 2019, which were unveiled at Lenovo’s Tech World conference in Beijing, China. Those haven’t made their way into production yet, so it’s possible we’re seeing a final iteration of the company’s next AR headset, which could even supplant the enterprise-focused A6 headset, the company’s HoloLens 2 competitor.

Since CES 2021 is coming up soon, it’s possible Lenovo intends on showing the device for the January 6 – 9 event, albeit digitally since the physical portion in Las Vegas was cancelled back in mid-summer.

Thanks goes out to Antony Vitillo of SkarredGhost for pointing us to the news.

The post Leaked Photos Reveal Possible Lenovo AR Glasses Ahead of CES 2021 appeared first on Road to VR.

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CES 2021 Cancelled Amid Pandemic Concerns, All-digital Version Coming January 6-9

CTA, the show organizers behind the United States’ largest consumer electronics show, today announced that CES 2021 will be an “all-digital experience” next January, and will have no physical component amid concerns of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A digital version of the show is said to kick off between January 6-9, 2021, and will “allow participants to hear from technology innovators, see cutting-edge technologies and the latest product launches, and engage with global brands and startups from around the world,” CTA says in a press statement.

“Amid the pandemic and growing global health concerns about the spread of COVID-19, it’s just not possible to safely convene tens of thousands of people in Las Vegas in early January 2021 to meet and do business in person,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. “Technology helps us all work, learn and connect during the pandemic — and that innovation will also help us reimagine CES 2021 and bring together the tech community in a meaningful way. By shifting to an all-digital platform for 2021, we can deliver a unique experience that helps our exhibitors connect with existing and new audiences.”

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Per year, the show typically packs in more than 250 conference sessions and hosts 170,000+ attendees from across the world, basically taking over the entire Las Vegas strip for the week. Although the conference spaces strewn about the town’s lavish casinos are impressively large, it’s normal to find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow attendees.

CES 2021’s cancellation follows a string of similar cancellations, although it’s one of the first major shows taking place in 2021 to do so. Mobile World Congress was one of the first to go ‘all-digital’ in February 2020, followed by Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, E3 in June, and Gamescom in August, the massive German games expo. Facebook’s Oculus Connect 7 is also going digital.

With the United States sitting at the epicenter of the pandemic now, it’s unlikely large format shows will be held there for the foreseeable future, provided a vaccine is developed and administered broadly among the world’s population.

The post CES 2021 Cancelled Amid Pandemic Concerns, All-digital Version Coming January 6-9 appeared first on Road to VR.