Immersed new glasses might be a milestone for XR glasses
The Visor is an exciting new project in the XR (extended reality) space, aiming to provide a high-quality, compact spatial computing experience at a fraction of the cost of premium headsets like the Apple Vision Pro. Developed by Immersed, a company best known for its remote VR desktop app, the Visor was introduced at the Immerse Global Summit in 2023. It’s being positioned as a lightweight, versatile alternative for both professionals and casual users looking to explore immersive, high-resolution virtual worlds and workspaces without breaking the bank.
Key Features & Specs
The Visor is packed with features that make it stand out in the XR market. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and technical specifications:
- 4K micro OLED screens per eye for high-resolution visuals
- 100-degree field of view, offering an expansive visual experience
- 6 Degrees of Freedom (6DOF), ensuring precise motion tracking
- Hand and eye tracking for seamless interaction
- HD color passthrough for mixed reality experiences
- Custom IPD, nose inserts, and light blockers for comfort and customization
- 3-hour extended battery pack for on-the-go use
- Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor powering its core functions
- 5 customizable screens to create virtual workspaces
- Online and offline modes, depending on your setup needs
Cost Breakdown
The Visor is available in two different versions, each catering to different needs and budgets. The Standard Edition is priced at $399.99, offering the basic 4K per eye display with all core features. However, this version requires an additional subscription to access the full software capabilities (more on that later).
For those looking for a premium experience, there’s the Founder’s Edition, priced at $699.99. This version includes all the standard features but comes with exclusive perks like a lifetime subscription to “Immersed Pro,” a custom-colored front plate, and a limited edition design. Though the Founder’s Edition raises the cost, it still comes in far below the price of competitors like the Apple Vision Pro.
Subscription Model
A notable aspect of the Visor is its reliance on a subscription model to unlock its full potential. The basic version of the Visor requires a subscription to “Visor Plus,” a software bundle that enhances functionality. A yearly subscription is mandatory at purchase, but there are options to prepay for a lifetime subscription, bringing the total cost to $1,049.98 for the standard version or $1,349.98 for the Founder’s Edition.
The subscription unlocks additional features like more virtual screens, higher resolution rates, and better support for collaboration tools like Slack and Google Docs. There’s also an Enterprise tier for businesses, which includes advanced collaboration tools, device management, and virtual headquarters setups.
Target Audience
While the Visor is accessible to consumers, it’s primarily aimed at professionals who need a powerful virtual workspace. The headset is designed to create up to five virtual screens, making it ideal for remote workers, digital nomads, and companies looking to enhance productivity in virtual environments. Whether you’re giving presentations via Microsoft Teams or juggling multiple projects in Google Docs, the Visor is tailored for seamless integration into professional workflows.
Comparison to the Apple Vision Pro
The Visor is frequently compared to the Apple Vision Pro due to its focus on spatial computing, but the two devices differ significantly. The Vision Pro offers a more premium, standalone experience with a powerful M2 chip and its proprietary Vision OS. It also has an app store and is more tightly integrated into the Apple ecosystem, making it a more all-in-one device.
In contrast, the Visor is more affordable and compact, but it relies on an external device for many of its functions, making it less versatile as a standalone headset. That said, it still offers impressive features like hand and eye tracking and 4K resolution, all while being significantly cheaper at $400 compared to Apple’s $3,500.
Comparison to Meta Quest 3
When compared to the Meta Quest 3, the Visor again takes a different approach. The Quest 3 is designed as an all-in-one VR headset for gaming and immersive experiences, while the Visor is more focused on productivity and work-related applications.
The Quest 3 offers a wider range of applications through its app store, including gaming and social experiences, whereas the Visor is more centered on providing multiple virtual screens and productivity tools. If you’re looking for a work-focused headset, the Visor could be a better fit, but if you’re leaning more toward entertainment and gaming, the Quest 3 might suit your needs better.
Functionality & External Device Integration
The Visor is designed to work alongside external devices, primarily PCs, Macs, and Linux systems. This approach helps keep the cost down compared to fully standalone headsets like the Vision Pro. However, thanks to its Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 processor, the Visor does offer some limited standalone capabilities. For instance, it can run an AI assistant, a web browser, and has a cinema mode for content viewing without being tethered to a computer.
That said, for the most part, the Visor needs to be connected to an external device for full functionality, such as when using productivity apps or creating virtual workspaces.
Expected Release Date
While there is no official release date for the Visor, preorders are already open. The company has mentioned that they will be holding a full reveal event in Austin, Texas, on September 19th, 2024, and we expect more detailed information on availability then. Shipments are likely to begin by the end of 2024, just in time for the holiday season.
The Visor promises to shake up the XR market by offering an affordable, high-performance option for professionals, and with the September reveal looming, it won’t be long until we see the device in action.
