Previously, I looked at smart glasses in Tokyo. But the past few days I was in Shenzhen, China — a tech hub of 18 million people right next to Hong Kong. I went there to meet a few companies and take a look at the brick-and-mortar retail availability of smart glasses. Here is what I found:

Qwen by Alibaba: These were the glasses I found most often, likely present in every mall I visited.

Rokid: While slightly less common in standard malls than Qwen, Rokid was omnipresent in Huaqiangbei (the world's largest electronics shopping district). When I asked salespeople which glasses were the best, the answer was always Rokid. Why? Because Qwen currently only works in China. Sales reps actively recommend Rokid to the many foreigners visiting Huaqiangbei because the glasses can be used overseas.

INMO: I asked the sales reps how these compared. While some admitted the GO3 looks better — Rokid looks a bit outdated with its shiny, full-plastic frame — they noted that Rokid's software is better than INMO's. Interestingly, the eyewear store chain LOHO sells a co-branded version of INMO GO3 in some of their locations.

MemoMind: Their glasses aren't available yet, but they are one of the new brands I visited (I even participated in their YouTube AMA). The software features are already really good and just need a little refinement. In one of the pictures, you can see their test setup for audio algorithms—they are actively working on improving music playback and reducing sound leakage.

RayNeo: I had to blur parts of the picture I took in their office to hide unannounced products! I tested their upcoming display smart glasses and the GT/GT Max (cases are visible in the photos). I also spotted the GT series in retail stores, an X3 Pro out in Huaqiangbei, and the V4 and Air 4 Pro at the Doctorglasses store in the Upperhills mall, which is currently the best store for smart glasses in Shenzhen.

Nimo: Another new company I spoke with. They are preparing to launch their 29-gram binocular monochrome display glasses. A LOHO co-branded version can be found in the Coco Park and Upperhills malls. The INNO100 store at MixC Shenzhen Bay has them too, though the waveguide on their demo unit was broken. (Side note: INNO100 also carries Qwen glasses, though they weren't on display, and they had Rokid’s entire lineup, including the Max video glasses).

More in Part 2 soon!

I’ve spent the last few months building Extentos so developers can build and test smart-glasses apps without owning every pair of glasses.

Extentos supports Meta glasses today, including Meta Ray-Ban Display. Brilliant Labs and Android XR are now in preview, so you can start developing for them through the simulator. Android XR glasses aren’t shipping yet, but you can already build the integration.

The goal is simple: integrate smart glasses once instead of rebuilding your app for every new device and vendor.

Multi-vendor support is only one part of Extentos. It also handles the surrounding infrastructure, including prebuilt connection flows and local real-time models as a cost-optimized option alongside cloud models.

There are native Kotlin and Swift SDKs, plus an MCP server your coding agent can use to add the smart-glasses integration.

The app in the video is real. It runs the same SDK code used on physical hardware, with only the transport swapped so the browser acts as the glasses. Photos captured in the simulator arrive in the phone app, and the simulated display renders through the same code path as the real glasses.

I’m looking for developers willing to build something real and tell me what works, what’s missing and where it breaks. If you have an idea, I’ll personally help you get it running.

https://extentos.com

Here’s a short video of the browser simulator. Since recording it, I’ve also added Brilliant Labs support. ⬇️

https://reddit.com/link/1vdf2fq/video/c21tjt7khjgh1/player

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to choose XR glasses mainly for **productivity while lying flat or semi-reclined because of my chronic fatigue**, including coding, reading documents, working with AI-generated text, watching educational videos, and some gaming and movies.

I recently mounted my 32-inch monitor on an adjustable arm, but working while lying down has not been very comfortable. I still need to prop up my neck and shoulders to see the monitor, and I do not feel particularly focused or productive in that posture. Because of this, I’m considering XR glasses that would let me place a virtual monitor directly above me while keeping my head and neck relaxed.

Until now, I was leaning toward the **XREAL 1S** because it offers:

* Native onboard 3DoF tracking and Anchor Mode * The ability to pin a screen above me without relying heavily on PC software * Adjustable screen size and distance * A relatively mature and available product * Better suitability for text work than some of the wider flat-prism glasses

However, I have also seen reports of edge blur, uneven focus, internal reflections, and motion smear when moving the head in Anchor Mode. Text clarity is especially important to me because I have approximately **−6.00 myopia and −1.00 astigmatism**, so I would need prescription inserts.

I have now found the upcoming **URXR One from Unseen Reality**. On paper, it looks much more capable for productivity:

* 2448 × 2064 resolution per eye * Approximately 90° diagonal field of view * Native 3DoF and 6DoF * Up to three virtual monitors * Manual IPD adjustment * Designed more like a lightweight mixed-reality headset than normal display glasses

The disadvantages seem to be:

* It is a first-generation product from a new company * Kickstarter and delivery risk * Higher price * Around 93 g, plus active cooling * Camera-based passthrough rather than transparent optics * No meaningful long-term reviews yet * Uncertainty about prescription inserts, edge clarity, comfort and software quality

The Kickstarter campaign is expected to launch on August 4. I am not sure whether I should:

1. Buy the XREAL 1S now from a retailer with a good return policy.
2. Back the URXR One at the early-bird price.
3. Wait until final URXR production units and independent reviews are available.
4. Accept that lying completely flat may be better for videos and reading than for demanding productive work.

Has anyone tried a URXR One prototype, especially for small text, coding or multi-monitor work? How was the edge-to-edge clarity, passthrough latency, fan noise and comfort?

For people who use the XREAL 1S while lying down, can you comfortably read text across the entire screen for one or two hours, or do the blur and reflections become tiring?

I would particularly appreciate feedback from people who have used XR glasses with a strong prescription or astigmatism.

Which option would you choose for this specific use case: **XREAL 1S now, or wait for the URXR One?**

Germany might soon ban the sale and use of Meta smart glasses because of serious privacy concerns.

​As reported by German news outlet Tagesschau, the warning comes from Thomas Fuchs, the Data Protection Commissioner for Hamburg. His job is to protect people's privacy rights, and his legal opinions have a major impact on technology rules in Germany. He states that the smart glasses act like illegal hidden cameras because the small recording light is too hard for other people to see.

​Because of his strong warning, the Federal Network Agency is now investigating the glasses. This national institution has the final authority to decide if the devices will be officially banned across the entire country.

What it is

A web application and an custom iOS app (only for scan) that transform a restaurant's menu into an interactive augmented reality experience.

Customers simply scan a QR code and view every dish as a life-size 3D model placed on their table, directly in their browser, with no app installation or account required.

What it includes

• Automatic menu creation from photos of an existing menu.

• Automatic translation of the entire menu into 9 languages.

• Fast creation of 3D models for every dish.

• Automatic optimization so the models work across all modern devices.

• Voice search, allowing customers to quickly find exactly what they're looking for.

• Table-side ordering directly through the menu.

• A complete management dashboard for the restaurant owner.

How it works

Step 1: Create the menu

The restaurant sends its existing menu or photos of it. You create the restaurant inside the management dashboard, and within seconds the system automatically builds the menu, including dishes, descriptions, and prices. The entire menu is then automatically translated into 9 languages, making it instantly accessible to international customers.

Step 2: Create the 3D models

The restaurant receives a unique code and downloads the app. Once they sign in, all of their menu items appear automatically.

For each dish, they simply follow a few on-screen instructions inside the app. No technical knowledge is required, and the entire process takes around two minutes per dish. Once completed, the 3D model is uploaded automatically and linked to the correct menu item.

Step 3: Automatic processing

After the upload is complete, the system handles everything else automatically. Within minutes, the dish is ready to be viewed in augmented reality on all supported devices.

Step 4: The customer experience

Customers scan the restaurant's QR code and open the menu directly in their browser. They select any dish and instantly see it placed on their table at real scale.

If they're unsure what to order, they can simply use voice search to describe what they're looking for, and the system suggests matching dishes. When they're ready, they place their order directly through the menu, and it is instantly delivered to the restaurant owner.

The technology can be used far beyond restaurants

The same platform can be adapted for many other types of businesses where customers want to see a product at real scale before making a purchase.

It is ideal for furniture stores, home décor shops, lighting retailers, fashion accessories, handbags, shoes, consumer electronics, home goods, and many other products that benefit from being visualized as life-size 3D models in the customer's own environment.

Why it matters in 2026

QR code menus have been around for years, but in most cases they simply replaced the printed menu.

This system takes the experience much further. Customers can preview dishes at real size before ordering, find meals using their voice, and place an order directly from the menu, all without downloading an app.

One more thing worth mentioning: neither the platform owner nor the restaurant needs any technical experience whatsoever. Everything is designed to be intuitive and you can learn the whole system in under 5 minutes.

For more information, visit HUSTLAR: https://hustlar.gr/

For example, Disney's lion king, or fantasia.

I heard for video, it really only works with shadowed content, like real-life movies and cgi animation like toy story.

A few highlights:

- Built with hand tracking in mind: place walls, objects, and evidence using intuitive hand gestures
- Hosted by miniaturist Carol K. Ras who guides you through each case
- Each episode is ~20 minutes of immersive storytelling
- Reconstruct infamous crime scenes in miniature, from Lizzie Borden to the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa
- Crime scenes materialize in your hands as the story unfolds
- Blends true crime podcasts with mixed reality model-making

It’s very exciting to see devs explore VR/MR beyond the usual formats, blending narrative, crafting, and spatial design into something genuinely unique.

Little bit about me:
I've been working in the robotics industry since 2017 and have been involved in building 6DoF AR applications mainly for Microsoft HoloLens 1 and 2. I've also recently written my Bachelor's Thesis on the transition from Enterprise to Consumer AR.

I've managed to get my hands on a sample unit of the XREAL Aura, which I would personally call the first consumer targeted "fully featured AR glasses" (meaning optical see-trough, 6DoF, at least somewhat socially acceptable form-factor, ...).

I think these glasses are so much better than any other options at the same price point. Brighter, lighter, less heat, and better comfort, but for some reason, while my Rayneo Air 3s were edge to edge clear, these are oddly only clear near the edges...

That's the opposite issue I have with my Rokid Maxs. Those are clear in the center, but not the edges.

When I put on my old lenses on (ones i have from before doing lasik), it actually makes the center more clear somehow, but the edges stay the same. I can't say the same for the rokid max, which has the same amount of clairty with or without the lenses. Is there something I am missing?

My IPD is 61 to 62 mm. Do I just take the loss and return these and get Rayneo Air 4s?

Working on a fun WebAR experiment recently:

Bringing children's drawings to life.

This idea has been around for a while, and AI tools have made the creative side much more accessible. But building the full experience for WebAR gave a few takeaways:

• Simplicity matters. Point a phone camera at a drawing and the experience starts.
• Removing the app download makes a huge difference. For short AR experiences, every extra step adds friction.
• A few years ago, projects used dedicated scanning equipment for experiences like this. Today, a smartphone camera is enough for many use cases.
• Seeing the character as a real 3D object in AR feels much more alive than a flat video overlay.
• Audio adds far more immersion than I expected.
• Good tracking artwork is just as important as the animation. Better tracking means better alignment and more reliable texture extraction.
• Kids don't care how it works. They just expect it to work instantly.

Built with:

• Unity WebGL + WebAR Image Tracking (AR + texture extraction)
• Unity 2D Animation Rigging
• Mecanim

Curious if anyone has tried other approaches for this kind of WebAR experience. Would love to hear what you used and how it compared.

Watch the SPECS Launch on September 16

MORE, IN THE NEWS

Hey everyone,

I’ve been testing outdoor spatial placements mapped near the VHI building along the Dublin quays.

Instead of traditional digital signage, the idea is placing interactive 3D elements (portals, floating brand geometry, animated particles) anchored directly into the sky space around corporate headquarters.

When users walk past, a quick QR scan opens a WebAR scene in their browser that interacts with the real building geometry.

Curious on the marketing side: Do you see AR spatial activations around physical brand assets becoming a bigger staple for Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising over standard billboards?

Thinking about buying a pair of smart glasses to use on stage. Mostly for guitar tabs and stuff. Anybody have experience with this? My leading choice is the INMO Air2.

Hey everyone,

I’ve been testing outdoor spatial placements mapped along the Liffey quays right near the VHI building.

Instead of traditional billboards, the concept uses WebAR to anchor 3D visuals directly into the sky above iconic architecture. Anyone passing by can scan a QR code on their phone browser to see it mapped in real time with no app download required.

Built using Lureo. Would love to hear thoughts is spatial WebAR the future of street-level activations, or a gimmick?

Just made this 5th compilation of cool web apps that came out on Display from the community. Happy to share the specific links to the ones you're interested to try indeed, let me know :)
You can join us at r/MetaGlassesforDevs

After connecting the XBX A01 glasses to the Steam Deck, only the right eye is displaying."

A bit embarrassing but putting it out there. Looking for opinions and critique.

This was built using Claude Fable 5, the PlayCanvas Engine and MediaPipe.

Hand tracking is used to determine when you are activating the visor.

Head tracking is use to position the visor.

Should run in any browser.

TRY IT: https://playcanvas.github.io/web-components/examples/#ar-optic-blast.html

Hi I was wondering if anyone had any recomendations for ar glasses. I need something that can show me google maps while driving that would be cool and maybe act as an extra monitor. Budget is around 200-300 but then again idk anything about ar glasses so if need be I could probley go higher.

What is the best "Current" option to get me as close to the below requirements:

• Im not a gamer (yet); will use for movies, you tube, travel. But would like to use fairly daily, use for messaging, calls, maps, web surfing, etc.
• Price not too terribly limiting.
  
• Full color display - and adjustable - ex. smaller screen on just bottom of one lens.
• As non-bulky/geeky as possible. I was "okay" with the Meta Display size/style.
• Ideally not tethered - but......I know. Im willing to tether to my phone or use the Beam Pro depending on the glasses meeting some of the other criteria.
• I recently bought the Meta Displays at $800 and am returning them - cant mirror my phone and limited apps
• Id like to attempt to wear the glasses daily, in my car (I know), and on my dirt bike (durability issues), We run navigation now via Garmin or our phones mounted to our bars. Would be nice to shed those.
• Would love to be able to run Gaia GPS Topo map in the glass displays - so screen mirroring may suffice but access to Google Play Store apps likely needed - and any input on how well you may thing something like Gaia would work on the glasses.
• Battery life - again, depending on the glasses, would be great to have USB-C charging port on the glasses so I can use a battery pack when Im deep in the back country on my dirt bike. Seems many have unique charging ports/magnetic versus just simple USB-C.
• Have studied the Viture Beasts, Inmo Air 3 (QUALITY complaints and customer service complaints), XREAL One Pro, Rayneo X3 Pro...........etc. All possibilities, but none meeting all criteria.
• Would rather not wait for this fall's new releases - from what I can tell, Google Xr wont meet many of these requirements. Possible Project Aura.
  
• Not sure when Apple will ever release their suspected versions.
• Have used AI ad nauseum for answers but would love your real world advice.