Jul 19, 2017 | By Tess
Los Angeles startup Mira has launched a pair of easy-to-use and affordable augmented reality glasses. Dubbed Mira Prism, the AR glasses are now available for pre-order for the low cost of $99. At that price, Mira is aiming to fill a gap in the AR headset market, which is currently dominated by either low-end (e.g. Google Cardboard) or high-end models (the $3,000 Microsoft HoloLens being the most obvious example).
How is the Mira Prism headset so inexpensive? Well, for starters, the glasses do not have any built-in electronics, and basically consist of a lightweight plastic headband and the goggle-esque lenses. To use Prism, users simply have to download and open a Mira-enabled app on their iPhones, and insert the phone (with the screen facing away) into the headset.
The Prism lens then reflects the image from the iPhone screen, which gives the illusion of the graphics floating in front of the user. Moreover, users can interact with the images they are seeing, and even play games, using a small remote that accompanies the Prism headset. Seems pretty straightforward, huh?
Additionally, using Mira’s “Spectator Mode” option, other people have the opportunity to visualize what the Prism user is seeing via their own iOS device. Not only can friends see the AR experience of the Prism user with Spectator Mode, but it also allows them to capture videos or photos of the AR experience.
Current apps for the AR headset include individual and multiplayer games, such as mixed-reality puzzles, digital warship battles, and holographic chess.
Those who tested the new Prism augmented reality headset had generally positive reviews. The Verge noted that, while the device’s graphics were a bit rough around the edges and did not measure up to those of Microsoft’s HoloLens, its field of vision and overall quality for cost were satisfactory.
Mira, which was founded by three students—Ben Taft, Matt Stern, and Montana Reed—from the University of Southern California’s Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy, has been developing its AR headset for some time now.
The Mira team, which reportedly went through thousands of 3D printed prototypes before arriving at the current Prism design, attracted some interest from investors earlier this year and managed to raise $1.5 million in funding from investors such as Will.i.am, Jaunt VR founder Jens Christensen, Sequoia Capital, and others.
Now, the startup is preparing to bring its $99 augmented reality headset to market. As mentioned, customers can already pre-order their Prism glasses, and can expect them to be delivered this fall.
As the technology currently stands, the Prism headset is compatible with the iPhone 6, 6s, and 7.
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ewwww black people cannot be poster children for high technology. looks like an ape.
Hendrik wrote at 7/19/2017 10:29:05 PM:
Clever hobbitses...
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