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Snap Spectacles 5 and Meta Orion Roundtable Video Part 1
Introduction
On October 17th, 2024, Jason McDowell (The AR Show), Jeri Ellsworth (Tilt Five), David Bonelli (Pulsar), Bradley Lynch (SadlyItsBradley), and I recorded a 2-hour roundtable discussion about the recent announcements of the Snap Spectacles 5 and Meta Orion optical AR/MR glasses. Along the way, we discussed various related subjects, including some about the Apple Vision Pro.
I’m breaking the video into several parts to keep some discussions from being buried in a single long video. In this first part, we primarily discuss the Snap Spectacles 5 (SS5). The SS5 will be discussed some more in the other parts, which will be released later. We also made some comments on the Apple Vision Pro, which Bradley Lynch and I own.
The 2-hour roundtable is being released in several parts, with AR Roundtable Part 1 Snap Spectacles 5 and some Apple Vision Pro being the first to be released.
0:00 Introduction of the panelist
Jason McDowall, as moderator, gets things going by having each panelist introduce themself.
2:11 See-Through versus Passthrough Mixed Reality
I gave a very brief explanation of the difference between see-through/optical AR/MR and passthrough MR. The big point is that with See-through/Optical AR/MR, the real world’s view is most important, and with passthrough MR, the virtual world is more important. With passthrough MR, the virtual world is most important with the camera’s view augmenting the virtual world.
5:51 Snap Spectacles 5 (SS5) experience and discussion
Jason McDowell had the opportunity to get a demo of the Snap Spectacles 5 and followed by a discussion by the panelist. Jason has a more detailed explanation of his experience and an interview with Sophia Dominguez, the Director of AR Platform Partnerships and Ecosystem at Snap, on his podcast.
11:59 Dimming (light blocking) with optical AR glasses
Jason noted the dimming feature of the SS5, and this led to the discussion of the need for light blocking with see-through AR.
19:15 See-though AR is not well suited for watching movies and TV
I make the point that see-through AR is not going to be a good device for watching movies and TV.
19:54 What is the application?
We get into a discussion of the applications for see-through AR
20:23 Snap’s motivation? And more on applications
There is some discussion about what is driving Snap to make Spectacles, followed by more discussion of applications.
22:35 What are Snap’s and Meta’s motivations?
The panelist gives their opinions on what is motivating Snap and Meta to enter into the see-through AR space.
23:31 What makes something “portable?”
David makes the point that if AR glasses are not all-day wearable, then they are not very portable. When you take them off, you have fragile things to protect in a case that is a lot bigger and bulkier than a smartphone you can shove in your pocket.
24:13 Wearable AI (Humane AT and Rabbit)
Many companies are working on “AI wearable” devices. We know many companies are looking to combine a small FOV display (typically 25-35 degrees) with audio “AI” glasses.
24:40 Reviewers/Media Chasing the Shiney Object (Apple Vision Pro and Meta Orion)
25:45 Need for a “$99 Google Glass”
Jeri liked Google Glass and thinks there is a place for a “$99 Google Glass”-like product in the market. David adds some information about the economics of ramping up production of the semi-custom display that Google Glass uses. I (Karl) then discuss some of the ecosystem issues of making a volume product.
27:28 Apple Vision Pro discussion
Brad Lynch uses his Apple Vision Pro daily and has even replaced his monitor with the AVP. He regularly uses the “Personas” (Avatars) when talking with co-workers and others in the VR community. But now refrains from using the Personas when talking with others “out of respect.” I have only used it very occasionally since doing my initial evaluation for this blog.
29:10 Mixed Reality while driving (is a bad idea)
Jeri brings up the “influencers” that bought (and likely returned in the two-week return window) and Apple Vision Pro may a viral YouTube video driving around in a Cyber Truck. We then discuss how driving around this was is dangerous.
Next Video – Meta Orion
In the next video in this series, we discuss Meta Orion.
