Vodafone will offer the Nreal Light glasses to consumers and businesses in its European markets, delivering Augmented and Mixed Reality experiences through Vodafone’s high-speed, ultra-low latency Gigabit 5G network. vodafone smart glasses

Nreal Light will launch first in Germany and Spain during Spring 2021, with other Vodafone markets to follow.

Nreal Light are cutting edge, lightweight and comfortable mixed reality glasses that sport an industry-leading widescreen, equivalent to viewing a portable IMAX screen. Nreal Light glasses are designed to be worn daily. Via a wired USB-C connection, they tap into the power of a modern Android phone, which aids in processing and running control functions.

Phil Patel, Vodafone Group Director Products & Services said: ‘Nreal Light is a breakthrough product and we are excited to announce that Vodafone is bringing Nreal’s cutting-edge glasses to Europe. Nreal Light combined with Vodafone’s high speed, ultra-low latency Gigabit 5G network will give consumers and businesses an affordable, accessible way of experiencing the latest augmented and mixed reality experiences and brings the future a little closer for everyone.’

Nreal CEO Chi Xu said: ‘European consumers will be able to experience the future through Nreal Light. They’ll enjoy a new way to see and interact with their favourite apps in a 3D mixed reality environment on Vodafone’s 5G network. We’re excited to be making Nreal Light available in Germany, Spain and other European countries in partnership with Vodafone as we continue our mission to make Mixed Reality accessible to consumers around the world.’

Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president and president, Qualcomm EMEA, QUALCOMM Europe, Inc. added: ‘We have long believed that XR and 5G are a perfect technology pair and we congratulate Vodafone and Nreal on this incredible milestone. Smartphones powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 5G mobile platforms have both the processing power and ultra-fast, low latency 5G connectivity to deliver amazing, immersive XR experiences. Combining Qualcomm Technologies’ leading solutions with Vodafone’s 5G network and the Nreal Light glasses as accessories to smartphones will take the mobile XR experiences for both consumers and enterprises into a new, immersive dimension.’

Nreal Light are the first consumer smart glasses to offer an affordable, high-quality Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) experience with a sophisticated understanding of the surrounding environment, including six degrees of freedom tracking, plane detection and image tracking.

AR experienced through Nreal Light overlays digital applications on the visual equivalent of a large transparent screen, while allowing users to see, move and interact with their surroundings easily. MR applications take this one step further, overlaying sophisticated digital content on top of the visible environment, seamlessly blending real world and digital content whilst enabling the user to interact with virtual 3D objects.

Nreal Light is compatible with most existing Android smartphone applications, bringing an AR experience to many familiar apps. When connected via a compatible Android handset, users can use Nreal Light glasses to browse the web or shop, watch video, TV and sport, enjoy AAA gaming experiences or catch up on social media – all in augmented reality on a large ‘virtual’ screen, while multitasking up to three applications simultaneously.

• Movies, TV and Sport – Enjoy streamed entertainment on the equivalent of a portable IMAX cinema screen, via YouTube and other apps.
• Gaming – Nreal Light brings a next-generation, immersive experience to existing games titles on Android, allowing users to experience their favourite games in an entirely new way.
• Social Media – Enjoy Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn, Discord, Twitch and many others.
• Web – Browse the internet, go shopping, or catch up on news.
• Music – many of your favourite audio streaming apps are compatible with Nreal Light, delivering a high-quality audio through the glasses without isolating the user from their surroundings
• Photos – View favourite photos and albums in astonishing clarity in an augmented reality gallery.
• Work – Take the office mobile and collaborate on a super-light multi-tasking monitor with compatible Bluetooth keyboards. Applications including Microsoft Office Mobile (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, OneNote) are compatible with Nreal Light, plus business essentials including Gmail and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Vodafone and Nreal collaborate to develop new AR and MR applications vodafone smart glasses

Vodafone and Nreal are collaborating on the development of immersive AR and MR applications for consumers and businesses, combining Nreal’s leading technology with the high speed of Vodafone’s Gigabit 5G network.

Consumer MR applications that are in the works include sports apps that overlay stats and graphics during live games, advanced multiplayer games blending live and virtual environments in real-time, navigation and tour guides, fitness coaching, interior design and interactive, immersive education.

Vodafone is developing a range of practical commercial AR and MR applications for business. These range from more immersive conference calling to remote collaboration on design, engineering, manufacturing and assembly processes. Retail, product training, virtual showrooms and remote technical support can be enabled through MR. vodafone smart glasses

The collaboration between Nreal and Vodafone follows the availability the Nreal Light Developer Kit, enabling developers to build their own MR applications for mass consumers.