What you need to know
- XREAL is a Chinese technology company that makes augmented reality (AR) glasses.
- Today at AWE 2024, XREAL announced a brand new Android mobile device called Beam Pro, which serves as an accessory for the XREAL AR glasses.
- The XREAM Beam Pro offers dual 3D cameras, allowing users to record 3D videos.
- It is designed to give AR glasses users access to the apps they want without draining their phone’s battery.
- XREAL Beam Pro pre-orders are open. It comes in a Wi-Fi only or 5G model and has a starting price of $199.
This week in Sunnyvale, CA is the Extended Reality (XR) Expo known as AWE 2024. It is a major technology conference for companies within the virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) space. During the event, Chinese technology company XREAL, known for its high-end AR glasses, unveiled a new accessory in the form of the XREAL Beam Pro. This device is currently available for pre-order for $199 from XREAL starting today.
The It features a familiar app format that any Android user is familiar with and can be used to access millions of 2D apps, including those found on the Google Play Store, streaming services, and cloud gaming platforms (such as Xbox Game Pass).
To use it, simply plug the XREAL AR Air glasses into one of the two USB-C ports and you’re ready to start your 3DoF or 6DoF spatial environment sessions.
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“AWE 2024 is the perfect backdrop for us to unveil XREAL Beam Pro worldwide, a groundbreaking mobile device that gives everyone the chance to create their own stunning spatial video content, as well as the ability to enjoy a full range of popular entertainment and gaming platforms combined with the world’s best-selling AR glasses,” said Chi Xu, Founder and CEO of XREAL “For XREAL Beam Pro, we opted for a uniquely simple design with a familiar Android mobile experience out the door opening up to a new world of spatial computing that everyone can enjoy. Working with companies like Qualcomm Technologies, NVIDIA and others, we see the mobile Internet evolving into the Spatial Internet and envision that XREAL Beam Pro plus XREAL glasses will be one of them. will become the most powerful AR solutions to explore millions of apps in 3D space.”
XREAL Beam Pro Specifications
Price: From $199
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Technologies
Connectivity: Wifi only | 5G
Operating system: Android 14 with NebulaOS
RAM: 6GB | 8GB
Storage: 128GB | 256GB
Screen: 6.5-inch LCD 2K touch screen
Cameras: Dual 50 MP 3D cameras
Ports: 2x USB-C, microSD card reader
Battery: Unknown, but it has 27W fast charging
As Ralph Jodice, XREAL’s head of PR, explained to me, the Beam Pro was designed in response to feedback from users of XREAL glasses. In short, when people use XREAL glasses, many prefer to use their phone only for phone tasks. Additionally, users don’t want to have to worry about the glasses draining their phone’s battery in order to function. With the use of a completely separate, phone-like device, XREAL glasses users can still control the AR and VR apps they want without connecting to their phones. Additionally, some phone companies still weren’t using USB connections that worked with XREAL glasses, but the Beam Pro works with them all so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
Beam Pro starts at $199 and comes in a Wi-Fi-only model or a more expensive 5G model. Both models feature Qualcomm Snapdragon technology processors (specifically a Snapdragon Spatial Companion Processor) and run Android 14 with a “custom spatial user interface built on XREAL’s NebulaOS.” More than just screen mirroring, apps accessible with Beam Pro and XREAL glasses are presented in a “spatial canvas” where two apps can be open at the same time and positioned side by side in 3D space as desired.
When XREAL glasses are connected to the Beam Pro, users can enjoy numerous 2D apps, but within a 3DoF or 6DoF spatial environment. In terms of storage, you can choose from 6GB RAM with 125GB storage or 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. That said, an included microSD card reader makes it possible to further expand the storage capacity if desired.
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As mentioned earlier, this mobile device also features two USB-C ports that allow users to charge the device while the XREAL glasses are still connected. According to XREAL, it offers 27W fast charging to keep the Beam Pro ready to go. One of the most interesting aspects of the Beam Pro is its dual 50MP 3D cameras that allow users to create 3D videos. They capture in 1080p at 60fps, which is very impressive.
The Beam Pro also serves as a controller. Just move it around and use it as a pointer that you see behind your AR glasses.
What’s also nice is that the Beam Pro not only serves as an app device for the spatial environment, but also functions as a controller. Just move it around and use it as a pointer that you see behind your AR glasses, or tap directly on the 6.5-inch 2K touchscreen to send commands.
One of the more popular features of the original Beam accessory is also available on Beam Pro in the form of Body Anchor mode. This will fix the virtual screen in one position. In a somewhat related way, Smooth Follow mode keeps the screen in front of you and can even ensure that what’s displayed ‘gently syncs with the movement of your head’. This should make the viewing experience a lot more convenient for users.
Which XREAL glasses are compatible with Beam Pro?
The XREAL Beam Pro is designed to work with XREAL Air, XREAL Air 2, XREAL Air 2 Pro and XREAL Air 2 Ultra goggles. However, only the XREAL Air 2 Ultra will be able to take advantage of 6DoF capabilities thanks to its 3D environmental sensors. The rest of these compatible XREAL glasses have 3DoF experiences.
XR experiences that won’t drain your phone
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We’ve seen a lot of growth in the XR space over the past decade, so it’s not at all surprising that XREAL – one of the largest AR glasses manufacturers – has created a new device for interacting with apps in a spatial environment. . I know from my own experiences with AR glasses that phone battery anxiety is real, so having a separate device that allows me to access and manage programs while using my phone is very appealing. quite late to act as a telephone.
I also really appreciate that the Beam Pro doubles as a pointer that can be moved and used as a remote control. Earlier this year at CES 2024, I had the opportunity to check out the XREAL glasses in person and discovered that the Air 2 Ultra has a 3D environmental sensor that picks up my hand movements. XREAL has ensured that there is a crosshair in the center of the virtual screen of the glasses. To select something, I had to point my head towards a program and then pinch my thumb and finger in view of the camera, which translates to making a selection. While it’s nice to be able to control apps without having to interact with a device, the Beam Pro will offer more precise, Nintendo Wii-like control for those who want it.
Of course, the low price of the Beam Pro is also attractive. I’m almost tempted to buy a 5G model and see how easy it is to use it as my headphones; it’s actually only a quarter of the price of my current one. Who knows, this low cost might just launch a Beam Pro mobile phone user base.
I wish I knew for sure how long the Beam Pro battery lasts. If it can last an average of six hours, I’ll be extremely happy. After all, I assume that spatial computing uses more power than normal phone use. I suspect that more intensive 3D programs with XREAL Air Ultra 2 glasses will likely tax the Beam Pro battery more than 2D programs. But I’ll have to wait until I try the Beam Pro in person to know if that’s true. We’ll review the Beam Pro at some point, so check back here on Windows Central for that.