Finnish mixed-reality startup Varjo on Monday launched its latest headset, the XR-4, a $3,990 devices that it hopes to sell to large enterprise firms.
It comes as various major tech companies are betting big on virtual and augmented reality, a space they see serving as the next big shift for technology, with an impact of a similar scale to that of the invention of the internet or the mobile phone.
The XR-4 headset has two 4K displays and a 50% wider field of view compared with previous-generation devices.
The XR-4 also has two 20-megapixel cameras on the front to enable so-called pass-through mixed reality. This is where the user can see the world around them through actual lenses embedded in the headsets, as opposed to being completely immersed in a virtual world.
Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset is expected to launch next year.
MacDailyNews Take: Varjo’s XR-4 is not real competition for the Apple Vision Pro, which has no commensurate rival.
The XR-4 requires hand-held “Varjo Controllers” to operate. Apple Vision Pro allows users to navigate 3D environments via sophisticated eye-tracking and hand gestures – no hand-held controllers necessary, although, importantly, they can be added for specific use cases.
As the Apple Pencil is to iPad, an accessory for specific use cases, hand-held controllers will be to Apple Vision Pro. – MacDailyNews, August 21, 2023
Plus, the significantly more advanced Apple Vision Pro costs $500 less than this markedly more rudimentary non-starter.
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Bankrupsy in 3…2…1…
Thanks admin.
their mile-deep home protecting them from the toxic and deadly world outside
Good luck!
they will sell a bunch to reviewers and that’s it.
Considering Varjo has been working in this space for years I’d wait till a comparison review till I form any strong opinions on how ‘bad’ the XR-4 is.
Reading through their FAQ page it appears there are hand tracking and eye tracking APIs for their headsets indicating there may be use cases where fine precision is not required to the level physical controllers may not be needed. There is also a feature I found interesting of focal tracking allowing users to focus on near, mid and far ‘objects’ just as you would normally see. Being able to adjust the fit of the headset so prescription eyewear you already have can be used with it seems a good selling point for the XR-4.