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Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are both expected to revolutionize the consumer market in the coming years. The industry is already witnessing increased consumer participation as tech giants and start-ups race to get their innovative products on the shelves.
While we already have some iPhone-based VR headsets by third-party manufacturers, a new Los-Angeles-based startup, Mira, has unveiled an iPhone-based AR Headset named the ‘Mira Prism’ that is set release later this year at the very competitive price of just $99.
Mira Prism AR Headset – A Complete Standalone Offering
The great thing is that the Mira Prism is a completely standalone AR headset with no dangling cords for computer attachments. You just need to snap your iPhone 6,6s or 7 into the Mira Prism headset and interact with the holographic images projected onto real-world objects.
Image Credit: Mira
While installing your iPhone in the Mira Prism, align it in such a way that the screen is away from from the user and facing outwards. A pair of mirrors will reflect your iPhone’s screen and position the reflected image in front of the glass lenses, giving the augmented reality effect. Take a look at the video below to see a demonstration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=w76ESU3XHOg
Also, you do not need any separate developer kit for the Mira Prism to work. It is completely powered by your iPhone itself. Just load the Mira app on your iPhone, Snap, and Play. The Mira Prism offers a 60-degree FOV and a resolution of 1334 x 750.
Mira Prism’s App Bundle
In addition to the basic Mira launchpad, the software offers a nice collection of Mira’s core apps and a premium gaming bundle. The headset app includes a collection of unique AR experiences. A special “Spectator Mode” allows any third party without this headset, to see what you are watching in AR which is really quite an intriguing part of Mira Prism’s working. Check the below video.
The company plans to release more games and apps through Mira SDK which will be available to download in next month of August. The interaction with the content is also completely hands-free as Mira Prism comes with a motion-based remote control for interacting with AR experiences.
Pre-Order Your Mira Prism AR Headset
Image Credit: Mira
The Mira Prism AR Headset is currently on pre-order on the company’s own website for a price of $99. The AR headset will be available to developers by this fall of 2017 and to retail users by this 2017 holidays. Once it enters the retail market, the device is expected to be sold for a price of $150.
Things you get with the Mira Prism:
- Mira Prism AR headset
- Remote with AAA batteries
- Launchpad
- Carrying case
- Lens cover
Conclusion
The Mira Prism seems to be quite the promising piece of tech. Especially because it offers a good amount of content along with the hardware. Looking at its features and the affordability quotient, it is very capable of creating early ripples in the AR Headset market and getting an upper-edge in the industry.
It remains to be seen if the iPhone will remain one of the preferred choices for third party manufacturers. With the latest release of Apple’s ARKit at the WWDC 2017, developers have already started investing a lot of time and energy to create immersive AR and VR experiences using it.
We expect to see many more devices like the Mira Prism that deliver intriguing AR experiences at an affordable price point in the years to come.
well i have always preffered AR because I think this is going to be bigger thing then VR
Mira Prism looks to be an awesome AR headset looking to all the potential features it is offering