Qualcomm’s ODG’s R-8 & R-9 AR Glasses Draw Mixed Reactions

Attendees at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show have seen some neat pieces of technological innovations, but Qualcomm’s new R-8 and R-9 augmented reality glasses courtesy of Osterhout Design Group definitely takes the cake for today. Housing the most powerful Android processor in the market in the Snapdragon 835, it immediately caught the eye of the media and drew mixed reactions.

CNET is of the opinion that the futuristic eyewear seems particularly apt as a representation of future wearable devices. The processor that powers the glasses is the same that is currently allowing high-end Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 to perform as well as they do, which is a good sign that there’s plenty of muscle revving under those shades.

The two models are also distinct in that they cater to two different types of customers. The R-8 is meant for more casual users while the R-9 is intended to be used by more business-oriented consumers. Both feature AR programs, which will superimpose digital imagery and objects onto real-world environments. However, the glasses are also able to run virtual reality, though not as well as its more powerful counterparts.

Among the things that users can do with the glasses include watching videos, checking messages, and even take pictures using the onboard camera. It’s like Snap Inc.’s Spectacles, only with more functionality.

Even with all of these innovations, however, The Verge is still of the opinion that the two AR glasses are terrible devices. Its reason? The eyewear that contains the most powerful mobile processor in the market and a gamut of electronic features looks bulkier than actual glasses.

There’s also the part about the glasses costing $1,000 on the base model, which officially makes it more expensive than the Oculus Rift and the PS4 VR headsets combined. As such, it’s only natural to expect some skepticism from the media.