(bright upbeat music)
- Some old tech ideas, getting a fresh shot in the arm.
CES 2021, we're definitely seeing tech companies react
to the last year where many of us had the shelter in place
and tackle work or school from home.
One way, this is being addressed,
how keen are you to put a computer on your face?
A little wacky, a little silly,
but probably a future trend not too far away.
Let's Roundup the face computers of CES 2021.
(bright upbeat music continues)
Hey, all.
Juan Carlos Bagnell here for reviews.org
and I love wearable tech.
Two years ago at CES, I fell in love
with a company called North that put out these Focals.
That company is no more
but the Focals showed me a wearable future
that felt like an evolutionary leap
over wearing a smartwatch.
Face computing is really hard.
It's the most personal tech we can make,
that is until we can drill directly into the brain.
And our interest in these options comes
in waves from flops like Google Glass
to more successful virtual reality products.
I'm a big fan of Heads Up Displays.
These are not augmented reality or virtual reality
but a more streamlined option
for notifications and brief interactions.
To oversimplify, it's kinda like the screen
of your smartwatch floating at eye level
whenever you need it.
Companies like Vuzix and Norm are showing off options
that look like normal
if a bit chunky regular glasses.
But packed into those frames are
some sophisticated computers and batteries powering displays
in the lenses of those glasses.
Calls and alerts pop up at eye level.
So it's less distracting than looking down
at a phone or even a watch
when you decide how to handle that alert.
I'm a big fan of the Heads Up Display,
it really is the easiest way to handle a piece
of information coming from the internet
and then get on with your day.
Taking that idea a step further, we're not quite ready
for true augmented reality in the consumer space, just yet.
Lenovo showed off a new headset
to compete with Microsoft's HoloLens
but it's definitely targeted more
at business use, collaboration and developers.
This headset actively scans the world around you.
So data and elements interact with the real world.
Taking this a step beyond, Terminator Vision.
You just wouldn't wanna wear this around in public.
I mean, I do.
I wouldn't mind looking like a reject from Tron,
I'm just saying you probably shouldn't follow me
on that one.
It's not to say that we won't see this kind
of computing soon, but the first actual application
for this kind of processing will probably come
to our cars first.
Panasonic showing off an augmented car windshield
that can track traffic and obstacles
and paint your turn-by-turn directions
on the road in front of you.
Miniaturizing that
into a pair of glasses is gonna take a little bit longer.
Speaking of Panasonic,
they also showed off a new generation of VR headsets.
And this is another trend I'm looking forward to,
streamlining the headset
and turning them into smaller goggles.
Panasonic's approach to VR looks to whittle away
at some of the extra plastic
and housing traditionally found on VR displays.
Anything we can do to reduce weight
and improve mobility when attaching a computer
to your face is going to be appreciated.
And lastly, probably the oldest idea,
floating around the face computing community,
maybe you're not into gaming
but you really like watching movies.
TCL is known for making televisions
but they dropped a fun surprise
announcing a new cinema headset,
a sleek wearable display that creates the feeling
of you sitting in your own private theater
and looks a little like Trinity Sunglasses from The Matrix.
I'm cool with a little bit of early 2000s nerdcore.
Again, this kind of tech used to be bulky
and cumbersome to use.
Sony played with this a bit back
before VR headsets took off.
When we can all travel again
you can watch a movie on a plane in your own private cinema
or you don't have to fight for a TV
if your family wants to watch something different.
The issues with older wearable displays,
weight and complexity,
they could be uncomfortable to wear for long
and they could also be a pain to cable up and connect.
Not only does TCL solution look easier
to physically place on your skull,
the headset is designed to be run from a phone.
I will have more word soon on compatible video services
but it really doesn't get much easier than streaming a movie
from your phone right into your eyeballs.
That's gonna do it for this Roundup from CES.
I geek out on this kind of stuff pretty hard.
I think it's really fun to see a good representation
of different ideas and different uses for face computing.
But what flavor might tickle your fancy?
Are you looking for better notifications on the go?
Do you want that fully augmented lifestyle?
Have you been harassing your friends about Beat Saber on VR
or do you just wanna kick back and watch some movies?
Drop us some comments down below and let's see
what kind of computers you want to put on your face.
For reviews.org, I'm Juan Carlos Bagnell.
Don't forget to like, share and subscribe to this channel.
We're gonna have more coming out of CES 2021
along with our normal coverage on tech and services.
You don't wanna miss it.
So do that thing you do with the bell icon.
Trust me, it's good.
Thanks so much for watching
and I'll catch you all on the next video.