'Mira Prism' Headset Uses an iPhone to Power Augmented Reality Experiences

[MacRumors]

A new iPhone-compatible augmented reality headset has been announced today, called the Mira Prism, and it allows users to plug their iPhone 6, 6s, or 7 into a headset and interact with holographic images overlaid onto real-world objects.

The iPhone 7 sits facing away from the user when placed within the Mira Prism, and then a pair of mirrors reflects what's on the iPhone's screen and positions it on the front glass lenses, providing the augmented reality effect. The headset's app includes a collection of solo and collaborative AR experiences that are displayed above the included Mira launchpad, and any user without a headset can see what others are seeing in AR through the iPhone app's "Spectator Mode."

No plugs, computers, or wires needed. No matter where you are, simply open the Mira app on your smartphone, slide it into the Prism headset, and begin exploring the wonders of interactive holographic content.

The Mira Prism comes with a motion-based remote control for interacting with the various AR experiences provided by the headset, and the company said that more games and apps will becoming thanks to the Mira SDK. Engadget had a chance to check out the Mira Prism, and described a few of the games available on the AR headset:

Even though I only had a few minutes with the Prism, I was impressed with what I saw. I'm used to trying on headsets that are too expensive for most people to buy, so it was a bit of a shock that it worked at all. Beyond the initial setup experience, I played a holographic game that involved maneuvering a character through a maze, which relied on the controller's motion controls. Another game had me spinning around in my chair to destroy asteroids hovering all around me. I was particularly surprised how well Prism tracked virtual objects in AR, even though it doesn't have any spatial mapping technology like HoloLens and Meta.

One Mira Prism device comes with the headset, remote, launchpad, carrying case, lens cover, and a pair of AAA batteries for the remote, as well as software including Mira's core apps and a premium game bundle. In terms of hardware specs, the headset has a 60-degree field of view and a total resolution of 1334 x 750.

Users interested can pre-order the Mira Prism for $99 beginning today, with an estimated shipping date of holiday 2017, afterwards the headset will cost $150 at retail. A developer edition is also available, and will ship sometime in the fall of 2017, slightly ahead of the consumer version.

Augmented reality has been an increasingly popular area for many companies over the past few years, gaining larger recognition with games like Pokémon Go, and this year preparing to expand to every iOS 11 device thanks to Apple's ARKit. Developers have already begun showing off how the camera on an iPhone can fuel impressive AR experiences, including basic everyday functions like overlaying a measuring tape onto an object, or displaying Minecraft in the real world.

Article Link: 'Mira Prism' Headset Uses an iPhone to Power Augmented Reality Experiences

 

[Manesh]

Warning:
This product will only work in low light conditions. This cannot be used outside unless its gone 8pm.
This product may make the user look stupid.
This product may make your forehead ache.

 

[Crzyrio]

this is exciting.

 

[Zwhaler]

The girl on the right's face ... my sides! Another product that looks ridiculous when worn. Until that is fixed, it won't take off. Think a pair of Oakleys with AR. Not this eyesore...

 

[jmh600cbr]

wow. great price. looking forward to the future

 

[JosephAW]

When Apple releases Virtual Augmented Reality EyePods, it will make all these look like kids toys.

 

[Mascots]

The girl on the right's face ... my sides! Another product that looks ridiculous when worn. Until that is fixed, it won't take off. Think a pair of Oakleys with AR. Not this eyesore...

Games are the focus here. And people don't mind being silly for a little fun. I think they picked a good opening given the limits of technology and context of AR in the world right now.

If you're thinking this is some kind of real world adapted AR specs, or even close, you're way way off target.

 

[tazinlwfl]

This plus ARKit (with OLED iPhone) would be really neat to try.

 

[McFlyOz]

Looks neat and the concept is sound. Looks a tad daft BUT for use at home amongst family and friends, I can see fun times ahead.

 

[patent10021]

@00:25 the monitor on the right is PS but the monitor on the left is what? Unity? Developer page says Mira SDK uses Unity which is good. But I'm not sure if the application on the left monitor is Unity. Looks different.

 

[Zwhaler]

Games are the focus here. And people don't mind being silly for a little fun. I think they picked a good opening given the limits of technology and context of AR in the world right now.

If you're thinking this is some kind of real world adapted AR specs, or even close, you're way way off target.

They're out there. Being fully fleshed out with a software platform that can accommodate third party development and availabile at an affordable price point, yes it is a ways off. But it's closer than you think.

 

[Mascots]

They're out there. Being fully fleshed out with a software platform that can accommodate third party development and availabile at an affordable price point, yes it is a ways off. But it's closer than you think.

But that isn't what this is trying to be. At all.

So judging it on that bar isn't worth the merit, imo.

 

[tazinlwfl]

@00:25 the monitor on the right is PS but the monitor on the left is what? Unity? Developer page says Mira SDK uses Unity which is good. But I'm not sure if the application on the left monitor is Unity. Looks different.

That's Autodesk Maya - actually on both screens (PS is in the background on the right, the Hypershade window of Maya is floating over it). Maya is a common program to create 3D assets (for Unity, Unreal, and iOS SceneKit), especially if you're on a Mac.