Latest news with #MixedReality
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
Apple's Craig Federighi shares why iOS 26 adopted Liquid Glass for iPhone
Yesterday, at WWDC ( Worldwide Developers Conference ), Apple unveiled iOS 26. The new update, which will release this fall for the general public, adopts an entirely redesigned user interface that the company has dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple executive Craig Federighi sat down for an interview after the event, and one of the things he talked about was the inspiration behind the new look for iOS 26 . What exactly prompted Apple to use glass as the basis for iOS, and did this inspiration start before or after visionOS? Craig talked about how the use of glass-like surfaces in visionOS for the Apple Vision Pro served two purposes. For starters, it looked stunning, and was easily one of, if not the most refined user interface on an MR ( Mixed Reality ) headset. But another major reason for the design of visionOS was that the glass surfaces gave users the illusion that the virtual elements weren't taking up too much space in their surroundings. This design philosophy carries over to iOS 26 , where Federighi believes that the glass surfaces provide a more open experience. Apple has boasted about the various operating system upgrades across its portfolio that use Liquid Glass to let more context through. The idea is that the user can always see what their UI is being presented over, and that the content on the screen always remains in focus. Apple showed off Liquid Glass for iOS 26 and other operating systems at WWDC. | Video credit — Apple Craig also talked about how Apple had begun experimenting with translucent surfaces all the way back in 2013 with iOS 7, which was the company's last major redesign. Glass sort of became something that Apple knew it would one day incorporate more of in iOS. So the company pulled all the stops, crafted a meticulously detailed new look, and brought it to every OS it had. Liquid Glass has seen mixed reception since users have installed the iOS 26 beta. It looks stunning when it works right, but a lot of the time the UI becomes illegible. Furthermore, the processing required for all of the effects that Liquid Glass simulates has led to a laggy experience overall. Apple should be able to fix these issues before the public release of iOS 26 this fall, though that might require some sacrifices for the eye candy that the company has designed.
Phone Arena
16-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Upcoming Apple Vision Pro feature will make use of its excellent eye tracking
Apple is working on a new feature for its MR ( Mixed Reality ) headset that it will likely reveal in June during its WWDC ( Worldwide Developers Conference ) event. The company is expected to unveil visionOS 3 for the Apple Vision Pro which will bring with it the ability to scroll through apps using just your designed a really novel way to navigate through visionOS : you look at something and then use your fingers to carry out an action. This required the headset to be able to track your eyes with extreme precision. Letting users forgo the requirement to use their fingers and rely solely on their eyes to navigate apps seems like the logical next step to build on said precise eye tracking. The new feature will work with all of the built-in apps on visionOS and Apple is also working on allowing developers to integrate it into their own apps as well. But though this seems very exciting there is still something important that Apple still hasn't addressed. The Vision Pro doesn't have dedicated controllers. | Image credit — PhoneArena While third-party solutions like Surreal Touch exist there are no official dedicated controllers for the Apple Vision Pro . This — alongside the $3,499 price tag of the headset — is one of the major reasons that the Vision Pro wasn't a commercial success. Gaming makes up a majority of the use cases for VR headsets and the lack of controllers really hurt the Vision Pro .There have been reports that Apple is in talks with Sony to bring PSVR2 controllers to the Vision Pro. However there really hasn't been any more news on that front since the initial leaks. I'm really hoping that Apple announces the result of that rumored collaboration at WWDC alongside introducing scrolling with your eyes. The Meta Quest 3, as well as Meta's other VR headsets , enjoy the majority market share in the XR ( Extended Reality ) industry. This is because the Quest headsets are super affordable and cater to what most VR users really want from their gear: an immersive gaming experience. New features like scrolling using your eyes are innovative and exciting but they're not enough to sell an MR headset, especially not one as expensive as the Vision Pro . Apple really needs to bring dedicated controllers to its headset as well as a more affordable successor if it wants to become relevant in the XR industry.
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Syntec Optics to Enable Next-Gen Augmented Reality System
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, March 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. ('Syntec Optics' or the 'Company') (Nasdaq: OPTX), a leading provider of mission-critical products to advanced technology defense, biomedical, and communications equipment manufacturers, today announced it is developing critical optics manufacturing and sub-assembly processes for the world's first approach to project vital information directly into the eye eliminating need for any Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality (AR/VR/MR) display optics. This groundbreaking product enabled for our OEM represents a paradigm shift in AR/VR/MR wearable technology. Syntec uses advanced manufacturing techniques to make projection optics that are very precise and small. These optics stay out of the field of view of users who need AR/VR/MR for extended hours in demanding environments, such as medical assistance in space or advanced defense aircraft repairs. Syntec's ultra-precision manufacturing for our OEM can provide a clear, high-resolution direct display, eliminating any see-through optics in traditional AR/VR/MR. 'We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this revolutionary direct-to-eye projection technology,' said Joel Lawther, Program Manager at Syntec Optics. 'This project underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of optical manufacturing and engineering to deliver cutting-edge solutions for our OEM customers. The optical prototype head-mounted display we enable will be an advanced visual augmentation tool that offers real-time data and hands-free operation to improve task efficiency and safety where traditional AR/VR/MR systems can't be used.' These wearable optics enable comfort and safety during extended use and are ideal for long-duration tasks in demanding environments. Accurate color laser light is projected directly onto the end user's eye. For the past decade, Syntec Optics has been using advanced manufacturing techniques for OEM customers to make high-resolution, wide-field-of-view defense microdisplays for aviation pilots to view vital information. The new differentiated and unique development program order further solidifies Syntec Optics' position as a leader in developing and manufacturing advanced optical systems for the global AR/VR/MR market, which is projected to grow to over $800 billion by 2032. About Syntec Optics Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX), headquartered in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest custom and diverse end-market optics and photonics manufacturers in the United States. Operating for over two decades, Syntec Optics runs a state-of-the-art facility with extensive core capabilities of various optics manufacturing processes, both horizontally and vertically integrated, to provide a competitive advantage for mission-critical OEMs. Syntec Optics recently launched new products, including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite optics, lightweight night vision goggle optics, biomedical equipment optics, and precision microlens arrays. To learn more, visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act') and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to the transactions contemplated by the business combination and related agreements, future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of Syntec Optics, market size, and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including 'may,' 'should,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'will,' 'estimate,' 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'predict,' 'plan,' 'targets,' 'projects,' 'could,' 'would,' 'continue,' 'forecast' or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Syntec Optics), which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Syntec Optics and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: 1) risk outlined in any prior SEC filings; 2) ability of Syntec Optics to successfully increase market penetration into its target markets; 3) the addressable markets that Syntec Optics intends to target do not grow as expected; 4) the loss of any key executives; 5) the loss of any relationships with key suppliers including suppliers abroad; 6) the loss of any relationships with key customers; 7) the inability to protect Syntec Optics' patents and other intellectual property; 8) the failure to successfully execute manufacturing of announced products in a timely manner or at all, or to scale to mass production; 9) costs related to any further business combination; 10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 11) the possibility that Syntec Optics may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 12) Syntec Optics' estimates of its growth and projected financial results for the future and meeting or satisfying the underlying assumptions with respect thereto; 13) the impact of any pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof and the Russian/Ukrainian or Israeli conflict, and any resulting effect on business and financial conditions; 14) inability to complete any investments or borrowings in connection with any organic or inorganic growth; 15) the potential for events or circumstances that result in Syntec Optics' failure to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of Syntec Optics' customer arrangements; and 16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled 'Risk Factors' and 'Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements' in prior SEC filings including registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Syntec Optics does not give any assurance that Syntec Optics will achieve its expected results. Syntec Optics does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law. For further information, please contact:
