facebook rss twitter

ASUS confirms 2016 launch of an augmented reality headset

by Mark Tyson on 12 November 2015, 13:01

Tags: ASUSTeK (TPE:2357), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qacv7u

Add to My Vault: x

ASUS is preparing an augmented reality (AR) product for launch sometime next year. CEO Jerry Shen revealed the plans yesterday, in an investor webcast, but declined to discuss further details, reports CNet.

Previously ASUS was noted to be in talks with Microsoft about building a cheaper version of the HoloLens AR headset. Microsoft's own augmented reality glasses, sold as a developer edition, will set early adopters back $3000. Hopefully a firm like ASUS could mass produce the same experience offered by HoloLens at a much reduced price.

During Wednesday's webcast ASUS Chairman Jerry Shen said "It should be next year when we come out with a product, we think AR (augmented reality) will be very important for people's lives."

It seems like ASUS favours the prospects of AR devices over VR ones. ASUS also partnered with Google which favoured AR, with its Google Glass product, over VR escapism. "You can make a real setting meld together with yourself and the AR (augmented reality) portion," said Shen, "Internally, we are talking about how to prepare." Another plan Shen revealed in the webcast was the development of a service robot, also aiming for next year.

PC enthusiasts all know ASUS products very well but just like many other PC stalwarts it has hopes to reduce its reliance on this industry. ASUS has been particularly successful in transforming to create popular tablets and smartphones. It reckons that it will have shipped more mobile products than PCs by the end of 2015.



HEXUS Forums :: 5 Comments

Login with Forum Account

Don't have an account? Register today!
Man, didn't realise that a price have been revealed for the Hololens. Even if it is “developer” hardware, $3000 is a hard sell. I can't see how something this high in cost can be scaled down anywhere near VR headsets.

Then again, I can't see why this product is priced so high to begin with, other than they aren't making many, which is silly when you consider all the talk they have put behind it.
eiamhere69
Man, didn't realise that a price have been revealed for the Hololens. Even if it is “developer” hardware, $3000 is a hard sell. I can't see how something this high in cost can be scaled down anywhere near VR headsets.

Then again, I can't see why this product is priced so high to begin with.

It's to stop random consumers/average developers from buying them when they're not ready. Only seriously skilled people have a chance at developing AR in the infant stage it currently is.
not sure about AR yet tbh or even VR
VR I think is currently more practical but the market is saturated with VR headsets so a bit of AR is nice.
VR is starting to pick up a bit of pace, I wonder how AR will actually fare against it.
I see less use for VR than I do AR.
VR is great for films and games but unlikely much else, where as AR has alot more uses… I.e. you open the fridge.. and you can be asked if you want to make a shopping list while you are there…
Virtual directions on the floor.. So much can be done