Support File Tutorial Nreal Becomes Xreal, Launches Beam Module

[shiva]

A copy and paste from another Tom's Hardware.

Two big announcements are coming from the folks at Nreal today. First and foremost, the company is changing its name to Xreal. Nreal ran into a dispute over the Nreal trademark, which was resolved, but it wanted to avoid further confusion as it continues to grow its global brand.


The second and most significant news from Xreal today is the announcement of Beam. Beam is a portable device shaped (and somewhat designed like) an original Apple iPod. This device takes video from smartphones, laptops, game consoles, etc. and sends it to Xreal’s Air glasses.

The Beam features two USB-C ports onboard, one of which provides a direct connection to a pair of Air glasses. The second USB-C port charges the Beam's 4870 mAh battery (enabling up to three hours of runtime) or provides a direct data connection to a smartphone or PC. That second USB-C port was something that Xreal's customers requested to enable the ability to play and charge simultaneously.While wired connectivity to a smartphone was expected, Xreal also added wireless connectivity into the mix and support for DTS: X Ultra audio support. Xreal notes that customers can watch YouTube videos wirelessly using the Beam initially and that it will support DRM content later (the company is being mum on an exact launch for that support at this time). However, Xreal's primary focus at launch will be on PC users and gamers that want a more immersive experience.
Xreal also announced that its Spatial Display technology, previously only accessible through its Nebula software for Android or macOS, is also available with Beam. With this augmented reality experience, you have access to three degrees of freedom (3DoF), allowing you to "place" a virtual display at a fixed point in space and have it remain stationary as you move your head around.


For example, this arrangement would allow you to view a game or a Windows desktop while looking straight ahead with the glasses. However, turning your head to the left or right would remove the projection from your field of view, allowing you to see your surrounding environment fully.

When taking advantage of Xreal's Spatial Display experience, users feel like they're viewing content on a 201-inch display. Xreal also added two new display modes for the Beam: Smooth Follow and Sideview. Smooth Follow lessens visual anomalies using the mirroring function when you quickly move your head. On the other hand, Sideview reduces the size of the projected image in the Xreal Air, making it easier to navigate your surroundings. This would be beneficial if you're, say, walking in a crowded downtown area and want to see more of the real world while simultaneously looking at projected content with the connected glasses.

Xreal says it will open preorders for the Beam on June 1, but it has not announced pricing.

There's a couple things that struck me, as I will be getting a set of AR glasses myself, for the steam deck and also my windows computer. Competion just got bigger with Rokid releasing the Max, which has better hardware and proper support for people with vision problems (i.e. needs glasses) so XReal needed to up their game. So, it will be a tough choice for me now.

- Rokid does have better hardware, the video is clearer, the display is 600 nits (400 for Xreal Air) and has 120 mhz refresh rate as opposed to 60 (and upped to 90 "sometime") for the Air.
- Software is better from Xreal, but that's because they have been around a lot longer. I don't like the fact that software support that they promised is now a adapter and a special charge, but adding 3DoF support is very cool.
- Rokid needs to up their software game. I know they JUST came out, but they better get their software, and proper software like what is already included with the air, out.
- It's hard to take promises seriously from chinese companies, but XReal has said 21:9 displays are coming, which is a big thing for coding and graphics work. They also promised windows support with their Nebula software, but now it seems to be part of the Beam hardware, which is why I'm slightly cheesed if true.
- My concern is the cost with the Beam. I have noticed XReal is very expensive with their add-ons, and they look pretty ugly, so a better (and far cheaper) alternative would be better. I don't have a apple ios, so spending 60 dollars us for a html to usb c adapter is a bit stupid as a example.

So what you guys think? I can see AR glasses replacing things like cell phones down the road, it's a pretty interesting tech, but we are only now in the 2nd generation, so things are basic. As a straight system to replace your monitor, then the Rokid max is the answer, but this new beam adapter makes using windows a lot easier, especially for coding and graphics work as well as the 3DoF support.

 

[TerryRed]

I'm basically in the same situation. I want these mainly for my SD as well.... but could be used with my PC... and to watch 3d movies on, etc.

The Max seems to be what I would want more and has a built in 3d mode for SBS videos, etc.

It would be cool to have something with some kind of 3 DOF tracking built in that works pretty good (without needing a phone)

Sadly they are all pretty expensive... so I still haven't decided. In Canada our options are less.... or they are more expensive.

I just got a 2 TB M.2 for my SD, and its running fine so far. I actually just installed only Windows 11 on it. No Steam OS, and with Steam Tools its been running pretty good.... and less issues getting more games to run fine on it (except FP.... which runs better/smoother on the Win 10 install I did). You just need to be a bit Windows savy... which for someone like me is no problem.