Vuzix

The folks over at Vuzix have updated their video eyewear with the launch of the Wrap 310. The Wrap 310 looks and feels more like normal sunglasses, so you don't have to worry about getting odd stares from onlookers. Featuring twin high-resolution video displays, it projects a 55-inch screen to let you privately watch your favorite movies and videos. Removable noise isolating earphones are included.

The Wrap 310 has an improved on-screen user interface, focus adjustments (for those with corrective lenses) and is compatible with all major 3D video formats. Also, the Wrap 310 features composite video input and optional VGA and component adapters. It is the first video eyewear designed for upgradeability, thanks to the included expansion port.

The device will stay powered for up to 6 hours on just 2 AA batteries, and accepts video from almost any video player, including the iPod and iPhone. Read more

We've told you about the AV310 video eyewear from Vuzix in the past, and now Vuzix has announced that the AV310 16 x 9 widescreen video glasses are fully compatible with the new iPhone 3Gs and all major 3-D video formats. That means that all of your 2-D and 3-D video content stored on your iPhone can be viewed on the AV310's simulated 52-inch big screen. The battery life is decent too. AV310 video eyewear can run for up to 6 hours on one AA battery.

3-D is becoming one of the most popular video formats…not only in movies, but also showing up in the latest video games. Vuzix has realized the importance of making their products compatible to this major video format…and the AV310 is proof.

Want to know more about the future of 3-D? Read what the CEO of DreamWorks thinks about it here.

Vuzix AV310 video eyewear is available now for $249.95.

Last week Vuzix demonstrated the world's first consumer augmented reality video eyewear at the 2009 Game Developer's Conference. When used with their VR920 Virtual Reality Video Glasses, the new Augmented Reality Accessory Kit brings printed pages to life with 3-D animated characters. The Vuzix AR Accessory Kit has two main features:

• CamAR, a clip-on USB camera that mounts onto a pair of Vuzix Video Eyewear. The CamAR allows the user to see through to the real world but also tracks objects and the user's position in 3-dimensional space.
• PhasAR, a wireless augmented reality input controller is designed to be used with the CamAR. The PhasAR allows users to interact with virtual, mixed and augmented reality worlds with a revolutionary 6 degree of freedom tracking system that lets the computer know exactly where the user is touching in the virtual and real worlds. Depending on the application, the PhasAR can become anything from a virtual magic wand to a 3-D virtual paint brush. The PhasAR enables 2-D like mouse support in order to control virtual objects in 3-D space.

Pricing and availability have not yet been announced.

You don't need me to tell you that times are tough. Some of us are brave and will tackle the depressing news head-on, but for the rest of us, escapism is looking more pleasant by the day. Television is the ultimate in escapism, because, regardless of whatever else is going on, your full attention is devoted to the program for that blissful and problem-less hour.

Vuzix's latest product, the iWear AV310 Widescreen, is the epitome of escapism. Looking like regular glasses, the iWear AV310 provides a 52-inch virtual screen to the person wearing them. Weighing less than four ounces and lasting upwards of 11 hours on one single AA battery, the glasses allow the ultimate escape from reality.

As interesting and desirable as this product is, Vuzix is in-tune enough to know that consumers can't be shelling out too much money right now. That's why the AV310 Widescreen costs only about $250.

Although a little bit scaled down this year, the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) - still the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, had tons of product announcements. In case you didn't have time to read through them all, here are some you might have missed:

Touch-Screen Logitech Harmony 1100 Remote

MiRGE – the first SIRIUS XM interoperable satellite radio

LG Digital Photo TV

Palm Unveils New webOS

DISH Slingloaded HD DVR Read more

As consumers demand more mobile products, including those that provide video, Vuzix is engineering solutions that stretch our imagination. Their new wearable displays are completely functional sunglasses that just happen to also show video like a big screen. The display is effectively the same as 60-inch screen at 9 feet.

The Wrap 920AV package has built-in noise-isolating earphones and weighs less than 3 ounces. The battery runtime is specified as 6 hours on two AA batteries. They will be offered with optional prescription lenses, and can be used with eyeglasses too. There are lots of gee-whiz 3D features for virtual reality and gaming too.

Vuzix will be showing the new Wrap 920AV sunglasses at CES 2009. They will be available Spring 2009. Pricing has not been announced yet.