Why you SHOULDN'T wait Apple Vision! XREAL Air review
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- čas přidán 9. 06. 2024
- The Xreal Air AR glasses have beaten Apple to it. This is how you get access to Spatial Computing on your Mac for a fraction of the price of Apple Vision. In this full review of Real Air and Nebula for Mac, I reveal why this could be game-changing for your productivity (and entertainment).
➡️ To purchase XREAL Air: amzn.to/3OMtx0i
➡️ Nebula for Mac: www.xreal.com/app
➡️ Spatial Cinema: www.xreal.com/arlab
➡️ Patrick’s video: • Apple AR is already he...
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - Specs
03:05 - Setup and in-use
06:57 - How I use them
08:40 - Other uses
10:34 - Conclusion
![AR Glasses 'XREAL Air 2 Ultra' Review: Hand-Tracking MR [Smart Glasses]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vEkhcpvQIUk/mqdefault.jpg)
![AR Glasses 'XREAL Air 2 Ultra' Review: Hand-Tracking MR [Smart Glasses]](/img/tr.png)
Have you experienced this form of computing? If so, what did you think?
Could you also give feedback on using these with iPad(Mini)?
OK I have a lot to say so I’m going to try and do it in the most short, concise way I can think of.
Almost everything you said is true-ish. What I mean by that is you have seven family members and you need to buy a house either you can buy a six bedroom home for $580,000 or you can buy a no Bedroom RV. Sure, they both get the job done, but one is significantly better than the other.
I just purchased these with the beam. And I have the entire Apple ecosystem. Apple Watch Ultra M1 max 16 inch MacBook Pro, M2, iPad Pro, and many Mac minis, as well as the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Here’s my findings. When I use my Meta Quest pro I get 100+ degrees of FOV. This is a massive deal. Because when something is big, it’s really really big. On the other hand, these glasses only have a 40° FOV. Which means that when you are trying to make the screen bigger you can only get it to 40only get it to 70 inches in real world size. Even though it states 100, 200, 300+ inches, the marketing trick behind this is the screen is further away. So, for example, it doesn’t matter how big a screen is if it’s 9 meters away from your face. Think of it this way take your iPad mini and put it 5 inches from your face. It’s going to cover so much of the viewing area in front of you. It’s going to look like it’s bigger than your television but if you take your iPad mini and put it on the wall or a desk 27 feet away and then hold your phone up your phones gonna look larger than your iPad mini. So it’s a marketing trick to say something is that big but you’re sitting so far away from it that it really doesn’t look that big.
So my experience connecting it to touchscreen device like the iPad or the iPhone is it’s a little bit clunky because you have to connect the beam and you have to be on your wireless network. If not, you have to create a hotspot or use a hotspot and connect both devices to that to use airplay. it works, but it’s a little clunky. That being said, I was playing the NFL Rivals game on my phone while airplane it to the XReal Air and the experience was pleasant. I chose that game for a specific reason. You don’t need to look down at the screen while you’re playing. This is a big deal because if you’re using a keyboard and a mouse, you don’t really need to look down. But when you are using a touchscreen device, you have to look at what you’re touching. This is massive.
The VisionPro🥽 we have its own interface that you can interact with. Which is already a big deal that puts this over the XReal glasses. However something has to be said by apples 100+ degree FOV. You would be able to put as many windows in front of you or around you as you want and you can interact with those windows and move them with precision. And you won’t need a bunch of cables connected to it. as a person that has eight years of intense VR experience Apple is going to blow away the market. But in reality, there is zero comparison between the two products. Using the glasses is like looking out of a porthole in a ship. as using the Apple vision, Pro is like standing on the ships deck.
Anyone who wants to buy this tech, I recommend reading the most critical comments on Amazon reviews.
Yeah it is waste of money. Very blury
Another great review as always. Thanks. I have read reviews and watched other YT videos and would not mind trying them. However, I am not a touch typist and probably would not be able to use them with my computer because I constantly have to look down at the keyboard. That’s on me for not learning to type but still they are intriguing.
Hi @MarkEllisReviews, just a side question. I was wondering where you got your Mercedes f1 wallpaper, I've been looking for a good RedBull one. Thanks!
Waiting on my Beam. Really impressed with the crispness of the 1080P screen. Hope they add a Plex and/or Jellyfin app
So question is did u used your eyeglasses with it? Or did you used the prescryption frame?
I did mine. I was waiting for the Lenovo glasses and then these came out. I love Nebula on my Samsung phone and it looks promising on Mac as well.
What advantages does it have compearing to Viture XR? They sell for about the same price and seem to be very similiar.
my macbook air doesn't have a usb-c port but does have a thunderbolt port. Can the thunderbolt port be used with a thunderbolt to usb-c adapter?
I don't think the Xreal glasses have anything to do with spatial computing, they just take content and overlay it on your physical environment.
Spatial computing imo is when an AR device is able to map out your environment and interact with it from the virtual world. An example could be placing virtual objects on a physical table; for this this to happen, the AR headset needs to have sensors that will be able to understand the geometry of the table, which I don't think the Xreal glasses can do.
Technically these aren't that and you need the Beam to fully realize some spatial features.
Are they compatible to do multiscreens with M2 Airs?
I use these daily for work with my macbook pro. My only gripe at all is that due to the nature of the way nebula does the screen mirroring/virtual displays you loose access to your command center layout for switching between open windows.
What i do now in coffeeshops when i work is just turn the mac display completely off (by turning the brightness all the way down) and it adds another degree of privacy since your main display is what the center screen is
I totally see what you’re saying. I have been so spoiled with VR headsets like the quest two, the rift, and the quest pro that I think I’d much rather a wider field of view than these glasses. Now I’ve only had them for 48 hours so I’m gonna reserve my judgment after I’ve had them for a couple weeks. However, I am very impressed the quality of the screen. The visuals are really good for a 1080p screen. Also, I do not like how I connect my phone to it. But I don’t think that’s their issue. I think that’s apples issue. Maybe with the iPhone 5 and USB-C it might be a better experience.
8:54 using dound panels on desk is such an smart think, wow
Mark, its not often I see something new that makes me take. Second glance but these look brilliant. The idea of being able to just throw your entire multi monitor home office setup into a small bag and take it with you to a hotel or to avoid buying loads of screens sound great. I’d love to see what they’re like plugged into something like a Steam Deck or working with Samsungs Dex feature on the Galaxy phones.
Keep in mind you have to have the latest Mac to be able to get the app
Well I wasn’t expecting this , fantastic….oh my 15’’ air arrived……..STUNNING ……..
Any updates on using it with iphone?
You can't buy them in UK though, unless gray import from USA. EE used to sell them (badly). Rumours they may he available in UK/EU in future, but...
Will these work with the iPad Pro?
Have you tried to use them over your glasses, or only with the lens prescription inserts?
Ah! My XREAL does not work on my Mac only have thunderbolt connection! Very old Intel Mac!😢
Will they work with the M2 Mac Mini as primary or a secondary screen ? Love the review and would love to try these.
Yep, they work with any Mac.
Search for Mac mini in the xreal subreddit. Remember seeing someone having the same issue
Does this work with IPad as well?
Seems awesome. Would love a review with iPads non Pro, eg 10
Wasn't available in the EU (based in Luxembourg)... and XREAL emailed me to say they intend to start shipping to Europe sometime in Q4... but I have managed to order one from Amazon US, which arrives on the 21st...jumping up and down here - can't wait to try it. I'll be flying to the Philippines at some point, so I'm looking forward to using these on the plane(s). I'll also be taking my MacMini and appleTV with me, and I'll try it out on those too! Great review by the way, Mark...Ta very much!
What about an update, did you receive them and do you like them?
@@tubag313 I did get them but, to be honest, I don’t find them particularly useful. I’m waiting to get the beam, when that becomes available to hopefully use with an iPad. The application for making a ‘movie theatre’ isn’t any good unless you actually have a movie on your machine. Doesn’t work with Netflix, or streamed movies, for example. You’re better off getting a VR headset in my opinion.
I haven’t tried the apple glasses, but I will when they are available as I’m sure that, despite the typical apple inflated price tag, they’re bound to deliver a better experience.
I will still try these on flights, when I have the beam, which isn’t yet available on Amazon US, or in EU or UK. It is only available on their website to US customers on a first come first served basis.
I didn’t find the Spacial computing experience particularly useful or immersive, but the addition of the beam may change that.
@@davidp9246 Have you keep using them?
Actually can you plug them into an iPad Pro? If the device reads them as an extra screen would they work with stage manager?
You can use XReal Beam to Bluetooth pair with other devices
Just used mine for the first tine today.....I love them, but - wow a lot to think about
1. At first I was discombobulated
2. I haven't got my lenses done, so, am having to wear two pairs of specs
3. a little heavy behind the ears
Those are my negatives (haven't checked with my PS5 or iPhone)
1. Works best for me with my MacBook Air on a 3 screen - just great
2. Watching movies or CZcams Content - The iPad mini was an amazing experience as its easier to use the iPad than. touchpad and keyboard
3. However, loved the MacBook experience when I was in "work mode"
4. The brightness on this thing is amazing!
5. The sound is rubbish, don't bother, just go for your air pods
Will it change my life? Too early to tell but I am very impressed thus far.,
They just updated the glasses to support 120hz too!
That Nebula app has got me on the fence, not going to lie. I purchased a “cheap” pair of TCL glasses last year on Amazon for a couple hundred bucks, and while the screens on that device are vibrant, colorful, and bright, the rest of the glasses left a lot to be desired. I still use them from time to time with my Steam Deck or to watch a movie on my own personal big screen, but that Nebula app seems like the missing piece of the puzzle for taking this type of device to the next level. Great review, thank you!
It is amazing.
6:09 u put in post production screen recording witk retina resolution, but they actually have smaller res. The end user who ends up buying those will be dissabpointed, at least add some text and tel that the resolution is not the same
Hey Mark, I actually bought a pair of these and then returned them unopened and untried. I have a MB Pro plus 2 monitors on my desk...and it works fine. Several days a week I have my grandson (5 years old) and basically move my computer and monitors from my office to the dining room so I can work and keep after him at the same time. My thought in buying these was I could just move my computer and wear the glasses and still have my productivity setup...the reason I sent them back was I was not sure how much of the "real world" I would be able to see while I was working...what was your experience. How much of your surroundings could you see while wearing the glasses without the light shield? Do you think you would have enough visibility to mind a small child while wearing them?
What’s the point if I still have to use my macs keyboard, mouse or touch pad.
What else would you want to use?!
Great video🦋
Thank you!
It can go up to 120hz
For the people in the comment section, you can pair the glasses with XReal Beam, so you don’t need an iPhone adapter but Bluetooth directly which is much more convenient and won’t drain the battery of your phone, plus the beam also provides spatial computing ( 3DoF ) so your phone screen won’t follow your head when you don’t want to, making you dizzy, 3 display mode : 1. Smooth follow 2. Body anchor 3. Side view ; research on XReal Beam for more information, I am just an user not paid nor official staffs
Interesting comment, thank you! If you want to have the 3 virtual screens when connecting XReal Air to your Mac (M1, M2...), do you need to use the Real Beam too? Or is it only for wireless connections? Thank you!!!
Consciousness:Expanded!
Interesting. With Vision, Apple has created a beautiful piece of tech but with that price tag only accessible to a limited number of professionals. I would like to watch some other reviews of the Xreal to see the benefit for me, but for the price that they offer their product one could risk a disillusion.
Isn't it hard to read things on virtual screens without your own glasses?
There is a prescription lens 'template' included.
Just exactly what actually want - sunglasses look, not weird looking goggles with strap behind ears.
I picked up one of these months ago and I’m not impressed. You get what you pay for. The resolution is pretty poor and it’s dim. The Nebula software is in beta and is a royal pain to use with numerous bugs. Many of the features advertised don’t work yet. It does give you access to virtual monitors for your Mac, but they’re tiny and hard to see. The worst part is that I need glasses and they won’t give you any help with obtaining prescription lenses for the included sub-frame. It shows promise, but it’s not ready for prime time, definitely a work in progress. The Rokid Air (and Pro) is a competitor for this with an advantage that they have adjustment dials for those who need glasses, so there’s no additional lenses required.
I just tried mine, the brightness can be adjusted via the button on the handle, resolution is fine for me, but it’s unnatural to look at and need eye adjustment which is not comfortable, overall it’s not too comfortable for me, but I would wear it when I need to read small text on my iPhone and pair it using XReal Beam
Well I have bought them, and they are barely usable for productivity, I can imagine for games or films it’s OK, but even there … So you can let the screen follow or fix with 3dof. Well in follow it’s anying as you need to hold your head perfectly still as thermische the screen makes micro movements. If you fix it with the beam, those same micro movements make you crop the screen all the time … plain annoying …. There should be a shift stabilizer for both modes that will tolerate small head movements. Also the need to use beam for 3DOF is a pain … Viture can do it only with the glasses … So I cannot recommend it for serious work … especially if you are far sighted as you cannot read your other screen or keyboard …
Well well well what a turntables…
Turntables?
@@MarkEllisReviews First of all... heck I would never expect to get an answer but thanks :D
Second I am terribly sorry, but I am sort off afraid I can not with 100% certainty say what I was actually referring to anymore. I will try to retrace it in my mind watch the video once more and give some sensible response but just a heads up xD
After viewing the vid once again (which btw is really well made, professionally) I probably ment the moment at 3:15, that Apple did not invent the "spacial computing" thing. It is honestly surprising what they made and achieved with these. I wonder what will future bring on the table.
@@MarkEllisReviews I’m pretty sure this is a reference to Steve, Carole’s character, Michael Scott, in the Office.
Wow brilliant video as always what a fantastic product oh why oh why didn’t Apple just buy the company. This is what the normal people world want not over spec - no matter how wonderful- expensive tech.
Not so much ch AR as it is a monitor for your face.
Everyone shows these types of devices with a setup where your desk is not against a wall less than a meter away.
What happens when you *do* have this setup, a desk against a wall, and there's not the distance?
Absolutely fine!
Where will content come from?
I'm not with you?
Your phone or steam deck or any device that has HDMI out. With apple products you may need an adapter
While I am very interested there seems to be a misconception of words in this video: these glasses do no spatial computing. They orientate, yes, but they do not have cameras the have no idea of the space they are in, so they cannot do any computing related to the space they are in, they just orientate. They are special displays (and that is what creak claims, nothing more), as they display content specially, but the content of that displays are computed else where, so spatial yes computing no ;-)
The terminology used in this video is in line with XREAL's marketing. They define this as spatial computing, and because this is such a new term, I think it is still open to debate ;)
Yeah their marketing is so off. It's a great product for what it is, watching movies, gaming and some light productivity
@@MarkEllisReviews Hi that is the misunderstanding that I meant. XReal never uses the word "Spatial Computing" (they use that term exactly once according to Google and under different conditions), XReal calls it "Spatial Display", that is why I wanted to let you know 😉
@@TheIAmThat Sorry, buddy - there's a lot more to this than you realise. I have a contract and partnership with XREAL and their brand guidelines and campaign brief explicitly talk about spatial computing (and quite rightly so, in my opinion). You wouldn't know this, I appreciate - but we creators do and say all of this stuff for a reason.
Hmm I take your word for it, to me it's three floating textures aligned by a few sensors. It's not trivial to get that stable and even permanently oriented, however the term spatial computing is meant as a superset of existing AR / VR gadgets as all of these have no computers, but leave that actual apps to another device. Having a spatial computer means that it does both. This Spatial Display does not AR (e.g. displays appear even if something is closer than that display) and it certainly does not have Apps on it, calling this Spatial Computing is possible, but then we should also call any calculator a personal computer - which would even have some truth to it even though it would confuse consumers. As I said I just wanted to help, made my point, if you think the nomenclature is the right one for your viewer maybe you are just politely trying to explain to me I should not be one of them.
100% more to pay in Europe, come on.
Someone wanted to get their stuff out there. You are like the fifth or sixth at least I’ve seen “reviewing” these.
That's how the tech industry works, mate.
@@MarkEllisReviews I’m good with sponsorship. I’m even okay with “here - try this product and see if you like it”
What I hope I get - are honest reviews. I like to think that if a bunch are reviewing it on here and saying it’s good, then it’s good. Not just because someone gave them a free one to try.
@@JeffPom well I’m glad you approach this platform like that. Lots of viewers don’t unfortunately.
A great review. BUT one thing I really am missing... and virtually from ALL reviews: Address the horrible color profile these glasses use.
On the Mac... switch to a custom profile or something like Apple or Adobe RGB.
On other devices that do. it support icc profiles, however, the colors are TERRIBLE. Especially reds and skin tones are pretty garbaggio.
While I have mine and like them... this really limits how often I use them on, say, my iPad (no color profiles) vs. my MacBook. The difference is NIGHT and DAY.
Never noticed this I'm afraid, mate!
@Mark Ellis Reviews, I am sorry but your review is too positive if we compare with all the reviews in amazon (US and ES). 36% of reviews give 5 starts, 23% gives 1 start. I saw over and over the same complain, the delay on the refresh and track your head. is that true?
Not in my experience, no. There's no such thing as an opinion (which is what reviews are) that is "too positive".
I have good experience so far with my xreal air. 8/10
@@Limitbreak09 Glad you're enjoying it!
Got them yesterday and tried them on brand new Mac Air 15. Nebula Mac is unusable. Screen jitters all the time. Although small it makes them totally unusable. I researched online and found a few people mentioning the same. Even your breath would move your head and it the display shakes with it.
Otherwise vision, sound, portability good but nebula for mac is not usable
Am I first? 👀
Boom.
Hi Mark,
Hope you get to read this.
Thanks for the awesome review, you've been my go-to reviewer for products as I fully trust your judgment with the review and your authenticity.
I don't know if it was pure luck or the Algorithm God favored me but I was in the market of getting an ASUS 27" 1440 240hz monitor to pair with my M2 Max 16" Macbook Pro but you've convinced me to get this one instead!
I've been eyeing the Vision Pro since its announcement as the 16" isn't really enough for my workflow, this is the exact solution I was looking for and the timing couldn't be perfect.
I appreciate all the work you do and I love all your work, wishing you more success and hope your channel blows up because you sure do make great content (authentic & informative)
Love from a silent fan from 🇵🇭 since 2020 🫶
This is lovely - thank you!
👎👎