Experiencing AR Smart Glasses with Gemini: Still Not Convinced

Exploring the RayNeo X3 Pro

Devoted followers of my work might know that I regularly wear XR glasses to transform my single laptop screen into extensive virtual monitors. My latest acquisition has quickly won me over with its sophisticated capabilities and remarkable design.

Over the past several weeks, I've been giving RayNeo's futuristic heads-up display smart glasses a whirl. These innovative glasses, while not devoid of flaws, offer a glimpse into what's next in wearable tech.

The RayNeo X3 Pro glasses come equipped with vivid color microLED screens, reaching 3,500 nits in brightness, and weigh just 76 grams. They boast a dual-camera system and can be rapidly charged in 38 minutes via USB-C.

The Future of Wearables

Examining these glasses' hardware, the color visuals remain sharp and vibrant under various lighting conditions. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip, they're undeniably powerful, yet the battery life leaves much to be desired.

Battery life hovers around one to two hours, contingent on how much you engage with the operating system. While the fast charging feature is handy, the lack of an external battery for on-the-move charging is a letdown, unlike other smart glasses like Meta's.

Comfort-wise, the glasses are impressively light and easy to wear. They feature flexible frames that prevent pressure on your head and remain perched comfortably on your nose.

Yet, the noticeable thickness of the frames and centered cameras make it hard to wear them discreetly in public spaces. The bulkiness stemming from necessary technological components presents an ongoing challenge for making smart glasses mainstream.

A button located below the right arm of the glasses activates the display from standby mode. You can navigate notifications, the home screen, and application launcher using taps, swipes, and double taps along the right touch-sensitive area. An action button provides further functionality like AI recording and translation upon presses and long holds.

The standout camera app delivers a preview thumbnail for capturing photos or videos and lends itself to impressive in-glass viewing with vibrant imagery and sound. The AI function powered by RayNeo utilizes the camera to inform you about observed objects.

RayNeo OS enriches the experience with applications like AI recordings, a to-do list, media player controls, a language translator for 14 languages, navigation maps, and telephonic calls. However, the ecosystem remains detached from conventional smartphone applications.

Although you can use ADB to side-load Android apps, I am currently delving into the built-in user interface to grasp its potential better.

Despite attempts, the glasses have yet to seamlessly synchronize AI recordings, images, or videos with my Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, an issue marked by persistent connection timeouts.

The camera shines on-the-go, complemented by the utility of RayNeo AI, Gemini-powered maps, and the teleprompter. Even without linking to major map apps, navigation works through Here maps, delivering precise directions for cyclists and pedestrians.

The teleprompter app positions text in the line of sight, facilitating straightforward reading. By adding text via the RayNeo AR app on your smartphone, the script synchronizes effortlessly.

An impressive feature is the glasses' ability to intelligently progress through your script, accommodating for occasional skipped words, eliminating manual timing adjustments. I'll likely use the RayNeo X3 Pro for my YouTube scripts, preferring it over bulky setups necessitating manual inputs.

RayNeo's mention of an Apple Watch app promises additional control, an accessory still pending as I continue my initial evaluation.

Is It Worth the Investment?

For now, these glasses are best suited for early adopters who are willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge applications. It's exciting to observe the dual-display system with its clarity and vibrancy, showcasing what might be possible with RayNeo's AI and smart teleprompter.

Expectations are high for enhancements in design, longevity, and cross-platform integration, at which point I can endorse the RayNeo X3 Pro.