News: ThirdEye Shrinks Its Smartglasses Package with Next-Generation X2 Model

Augmented reality wearables maker ThirdEye Gen, Inc. has officially released what it claims are the "smallest mixed reality glasses" in the X2, which will be available for hands-on demonstrations at the company's CES 2019 booth this week.

The sequel to the X1 model, the X2 packs an integrated CPU/GPU with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, a 1750 mAh battery, sensors for motion, orientation, direction, ambient light, and thermal vision, a 13 megapixel camera, two wide-angle cameras for environment mapping sensors, dual noise-cancelling microphones for voice commands, a headphone jack, a USB-C port, and a flashlight into a package weighing in at less than six ounces.

"We look forward to releasing these small mixed reality glasses at CES," said Nick Cherukuri, founder of ThirdEye, in a statement. "The goal of the X2 was to integrate SLAM into a small glasses form factor — that is the future of making MR glasses mass produced."

• Don't Miss: ThirdEye Releases Smartglasses with Integrated AR Software for Enterprises

The AR headset is available to pre-order now for $1,950, and the company also plans to sell the X2 smartglasses through be8a brick and mortar stores.

Running on Android 8.0, the X2 is compatible with apps built though Android Studio as well as Unity. ThirdEye also offers the VisionEye SLAM SDK for building augmented reality apps, along with its own suite of apps for remote assistance and CAD model viewing.

In some respects, though, the X2 is a step down from the X1. The newer model has a field of view of about 42 degrees and a display resolution of 1280x720, while its predecessor is capable of approximately 45 degrees field of view and a more robust 1980x1080 resolution. Those are the sacrifices of the smaller form factor.

With the Microsoft HoloLens and the Magic Leap One standing as the dominant augmented reality headsets, ThirdEye is digging in its heels hoping that a smaller, all-inclusive headset with a lower price tag will sway enterprise businesses and developers.

• Follow Next Reality on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Flipboard
• Sign up for Next Reality's daily, weekly, or monthly newsletters
• Follow WonderHowTo on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Flipboard