I Put on Meta and Xreal’s XR Glasses. Face Computers Are Finally Getting Good
Meta and Xreal are competing in the emerging market for mixed-reality smart glasses, with Xreal's Aura glasses launching soon at a competitive price point. These devices aim to replace traditional screens by projecting virtual displays for work and entertainment.
Why it matters
The shift toward 'face computers' represents a significant evolution in personal computing, moving away from handheld devices toward wearable augmented reality.
That's despite the company's well-earned flak over privacy issues with its smart glasses and the general uneasiness people feel about being recorded. But in the 30 to 45 minutes or so I spent wearing the mixed-reality glasses at Meta’s Connect event in September, I was astounded by the video quality and wearability of a device that has for so long come in the form of a heavy, hot headset.
But it’s not the only big dog in the face computer world. Not by a long shot. Xreal, known for its virtual-display glasses, has partnered with Google to build mixed-reality smart glasses on the Android XR platform—the Xreal Aura. On Wednesday, the company announced the official price, starting at $1,279. That’s 20 bucks cheaper than Meta’s VR glasses. Unlike Meta’s option, the Aura glasses come out this year.
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