vivo launches mixed reality glasses, competing with Apple and Meta

Vivo brand recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with the Vivo Vision Launch Event & Imaging Grand Ceremony in Dongguan (China). At the event, Vivo introduced its first mixed reality (MR) glasses, the Vivo Vision Discovery Edition.

The Vision Discovery Edition is Vivo's answer to Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro and Samsung's upcoming Project Moohan virtual reality headset. It was first unveiled at Vivo's 30th anniversary event in Dongguan, a city known for its manufacturing industry and just an hour's drive from China's tech hub Shenzhen.

vivo Vision enables users to consume content and interact in new ways with their surroundings.

Photo: TL

vivo proudly calls this its first mixed reality glasses, combining augmented reality and virtual reality to create a seamless experience between the digital and real worlds . With a similar design to the Vision Pro, vivo's glasses are made from a metal frame combined with plastic, glass and fabric. However, the big difference is that vivo glasses weigh only 398 grams, 26% lighter than the industry average, with a height of 83 mm and a thickness of 40 mm.

The glasses' eye tracking system allows users to control the interface by looking and touching with their fingers. The Vision Discovery Edition uses a high-resolution microOLED display that allows users to record 3D videos and take spatial photos, although certain vivo smartphones are required to use it.

vivo spent four years researching and developing the product, with 1,800 components used in the manufacturing process, similar to the production of a personal computer. However, vivo will not launch the glasses this year, but will receive feedback from consumers and developers through demo areas in several cities in China.

Outstanding design features

The Vision Discovery Edition features 3D hand and finger gesture control, a camera built into the front lens, and a digital dial that allows for screen dimming. The device comes with four sizes of lightweight gaskets and eight foam options for long-term comfort.

vivo Vision promises to bring a new content and interaction experience, allowing users to watch movies on a screen that can display up to 36 meters wide. The device is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform and the exclusive OriginOS operating system.

The device comes with 4 sizes of lightweight gaskets and 8 foam cushion options for long-lasting comfort.

Photo: TL

Another interesting point of Vision Discovery Edition is that it is connected to a separate battery pack the size of a phone for up to 2 hours of use.

Challenges ahead

While mixed reality technology is advancing rapidly, developing a market for these immersive devices remains challenging. Companies need to improve display technology, reduce costs, and improve battery life. Another major challenge is developing compelling applications and productivity toolsets to convince consumers to invest in mixed reality headsets beyond the usual apps and games.

Vivo has been successful in expanding its smartphone market in India, China and Southeast Asia, and now expanding into the premium segment is the next important step, said a Canalys analyst. "This may involve reaching a key R&D milestone, making it more logical to move forward rather than waiting for others to solve major hurdles, even if the immediate sales potential is limited."

Vivo's virtual reality glasses weigh just 398 grams, are 83 mm tall and 40 mm thick and were launched at an event to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Photo: TL

Future prospects of mixed reality devices

While the current VR headset market is small, companies are actively developing VR and mixed reality devices. Meta is developing the Quest 4 headset and a new high-end model, while Google hopes its Android XR operating system will spur the growth of VR headsets.

Apple is expected to launch new headsets in 2025, including a successor to Vision Pro and a cheaper model. The ultimate goal for many companies is to develop augmented reality glasses that offer a similar experience to headsets but are more portable. Meta, Snap, and Google are all pushing to be leaders in AR, with prototypes in development that overlay digital screens on the real world.

While companies continue to experiment with mixed reality devices and augmented reality glasses, simple smart glasses with cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) are becoming popular. Meta previously found success with Ray-Ban smart glasses, which let users perform tasks like recording video and making phone calls without a screen.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vivo-ra-mat-kinh-thuc-te-hon-hop-canh-tranh-voi-apple-va-meta-185250822091648733.htm