You know how this story goes. Large urban areas in the developed world get it first. Others will end up having to wait. And some wait a very long time which leads to a new digital divide. As Open Signal notes, the state of 4G LTE is spotty enough in much of the world. It’s data we often ignore even though it has significant implications for economic development and education.

First, let’s look at ThirdEye’s second version of their professional AR Glasses, the nextgen X2. Here’s a list of features according to ANIWAA,

• High-quality camera: the X2 AR glasses boast a 13 megapixel HD camera.
• Range of sensors: for optimal augmented reality, users have access to ambient light sensors, thermal and flashlight sensors.
• Compatible with many AR apps: the AR device is compatible with the ThirdEye App Store content platform. Apps are developed with Android Studio and Unity. Users can also create content with the VisionEye SLAM SDK.
• Great form factor: the design of the X2 is small and lightweight, and suits all working environments.

They’re not the smallest pair of smart glasses around – Nreal’s AR Glasses come in at half the weight (85 grams or 3 ounces). But they offer more advanced capabilities and are one of the most comfortable to wear.

The frames are a little thick, and not nearly as stylish as Nreal’s device or the Bose AR audio sunglasses. But they’re slim enough to wear out on the street. The alternative comes with its own challenges. You’re going to be tethering a device to your phone or looking at a hockey puck solution.

Battery tech can’t keep up with our incredibly shrinking processors.

Probably the major issue with ThirdEye’s X2 is the cost – $1,950 – and the limited field of view. The latter is actually beat by both the new HoloLens 2 and the Magic Leap One.

You control the glasses through voice commands, hand gestures, and head movements. In a future world of ubiquitous AR devices, that could lead to some unusual heading nodding scenes on public transit. And even reshape human interactions as users in conversation nod their heads not in response to others, but to control their own AR devices.

Did you say yes? Or are you just interacting with your own media?

Who is ThirdEye’s Market?

A major challenge for ThirdEye seems to be figuring out what market they’re targeting. At both APEX and CES 2019, the focus was split between the consumer and enterprise areas. ThirdEye’s founder, Nick Cherukuri, has spoken about their use in air travel.

The more obvious market for ThirdEye’s smart glasses for 5G is in the enterprise and medical areas. AR scenarios for training and work in the field will take off with portable AR Glasses. And healthcare will benefit from low-latency bandwidth that lets you bring in remote experts.

Microsoft is already targeting these areas with HoloLens 2 and for good reason. This is where the market is now. As Facebook realizes with the forthcoming Oculus Quest, $399 is a breaking point for the consumer market.

Smart Glasses and 5G

ThirdEye may take the prize for being the first official partner of the long-awaited 5G rollout. But Nreal is offering the same with their smart glasses and others will, too. For AR to become ubiquitous, 5G is essential.

There’s lots of entertaining and a few seriously interesting AR experiences available on our smartphones now. But too often, our infatuation with the novelty of the technology blinds us to the limits of what it provides.

Full augmented reality requires that we offload the processor workload to the edge of the network. And offload as much as possible to artificial intelligence – which will be embedded in the network.

Nick Cherukuri speaking to Verizon,

Indeed, smart glasses and 5G will be a gamechanger. And we’re not in the least prepared for how it will impact our lives – but that’s another story.