XReal, the creator of the Air AR glasses, has recently announced its latest addition to their product line. The XReal Beam Pro is an Android device priced at $199, equipped with two 50-megapixel cameras specifically designed for capturing spatial videos.
According to XReal’s statement about the Beam Pro in a press release from AWE 2024 (Augmented World Expo), the company stated the following:
The design of XREAL Beam Pro was carefully selected to be both simple and unique, providing users with a familiar Android mobile experience. This enables a new realm of spatial computing that is accessible to everyone.
“Collaborating with corporations such as Qualcomm Technologies and NVIDIA, we have noticed a shift from the mobile internet to the spatial internet. We anticipate that our XREAL Beam Pro and XREAL glasses will emerge as one of the leading AR solutions, allowing users to access countless 3D apps in a virtual space.”
The emergence of the Apple Vision Pro has created an opportunity for a budget-friendly rival to enter the developing AR market.
The Beam Pro, serving as a pseudo-successor to the Beam puck, is capable of powering the XReal Air glasses. XReal’s “NebulaOS”introduces a novel interface in an augmented reality setting and provides three degrees of freedom (3DOF) for each pair of glasses, with the exception of the Air 2 Ultra, which will feature 6DOF for complete body tracking.
More than just screen mirroring
NebulaOS’s interface allows you to pin two apps for simultaneous use. You have the option to pin them to your view or place them in the 3D environment according to your preference.
According to XReal, the recently released “Hub”is designed for more than just simple screen mirroring. This is due in part to the inclusion of Nvidia’s CloudXR software on the Beam Pro.
For those in creative industries, CloudXR appears to be more useful than for gaming. However, if CloudXR is applicable to your field, it will enable you to explore virtual environments, making it suitable for commercial use as well.
XReal is introducing two new models, one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and another with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Both models also have the added option of expandable storage through MicroSD and are priced starting at $199.
The Beam Pro’s most intriguing feature is its dual camera system, which allows for filming of spatial video at 1080p and 60FPS. Unlike other VR video formats such as 180 or 360, spatial video adds a unique 3D component to the footage.
XReal intends to release the Beam Pro as an add-on for its smart glasses in July, with shipping to commence in August. Customers who bought the original Beam in its initial stages will be eligible for a $50 discount if they pre-order a Beam Pro (and provide evidence of purchase) by July 10.
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