Snap and WaveOptics Enter The Shrinking AR Smartglasses Race

J.C. Kuang, Analyst Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, Automotive Technology, Devices & Technology, Head-Mounted Displays, Head-Up Displays, Insight Articles, Semiconductors, Venture Capital, Private Equity, and M&A

Following the announcement of its new Spectacles AR development kit, Snap Inc. has announced its deal to acquire waveguide supplier WaveOptics. The deal is worth over $500 million, at least half of which is to be paid in stock. The partnership between the two companies signals a recommitment from Snap to develop and produce true AR smartglasses within the next … Read More

After A Strong CES 2020, Chinese Vendors Put Pressure on Global Virtual & Augmented Reality Manufacturers

Chui Yin Chau, Analyst Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, China xR Intelligence Service, Client-Only, Devices & Technology, Head-Mounted Displays, Virtual Reality, Virtual Reality Intelligence Service

Nolo VR, a Chinese vendor, exhibits VR tracking and controllers at CES 2020.

More than 4,000 companies from around the world traveled to Las Vegas last week to exhibit new innovations at the world’s largest technology conference, CES. The annual conference routinely showcases some of the leading advancements in consumer electronics from smart homes to robotics to wearables. This year, virtual and augmented reality were hot topics, with Chinese vendors leading the market with … Read More

Greenlight Perspective 2020: Smartglasses in the Year Ahead

J.C. Kuang, Analyst Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, Consumer Insights, Devices & Technology, Head-Mounted Displays, Head-Up Displays, Imaging & Video, Insight Articles, Interfaces

2019 saw continued developments further cementing the position of augmented reality as a transformative trend for computing. Unique releases from companies like Amazon, Bose, and Snap have served to broaden and complicate the emerging product category known as “smartglasses” by introducing new key functions and display modalities, such as stereo video capture and augmented audio. In addition, imminent releases from … Read More

Smartglasses Shootout: Garta, Orion, Stella to Advance Augmented Reality

J.C. Kuang, Analyst Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, Devices & Technology, Head-Mounted Displays, Insight Articles

Recent reports have shed new light on the augmented reality hardware strategy underway at Facebook. Persons familiar describe two discrete products, codenamed Orion and Stella which appear to vary significantly in functionality.  Orion represents a major step forward in functionality for consumer AR hardware, promising discrete computing functionality and support for phone-like features such as onboard mobile broadband connectivity. Stella, … Read More

Dreamglass Air HMD Probes Low-Cost Consumer AR

Greenlight Insights Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, Devices & Technology, Head-Up Displays, Insight Articles

Silicon Valley based-company Dreamworld AR launched its Kickstarter campaign for its latest project DreamGlass Air on August 22. DreamGlass Air is Dreamworld’s first consumer-targeted device.  Within 5 minutes of launching its campaign, the company was 100% funded and has since raised over $300,000. For reaching this goal, a polarized shade will be provided for each DreamGlass Air to turn on … Read More

Snap Spectacles 3: Why Less Is More for AR at Snapchat

J.C. Kuang, Analyst Apps & Games, Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Intelligence Service, Devices & Technology, Insight Articles

In the latest round of new smartglasses announcements for 2019, Snap Inc. announced on August 13th the release date for Snap Spectacles 3. In trend with previous versions of the camera-equipped sunglasses, Spectacles 3 works alongside the Snapchat app. The device also improves on preceding models with the addition of a second camera, which enables stereoscopic capture and the use … Read More