There was a time not so long ago when a person could only watch a movie in one place and one place alone: the movie theater. Before video iPods, portable DVD players, home theaters and even cable television, people had to catch movies on the big screen. In a sign of just how far technology has come, a new invention now brings the big screen directly to the individual.
Vuzix iWear are special glasses that allow individuals to privately watch movies as if they were seeing them on the big screen. Through the glasses, a virtual theater is created, giving users the impression they are watching a movie on a high-resolution screen up to 62 inches. iWear glasses work with video iPods, portable DVD players, gaming consoles and other devices. All a person has to do is plug the glasses into a device, slide them on and grab a tub of buttery popcorn. The iWear run on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 5 hours – perfect for viewings of “The Godfather” or “Lord of the Rings” (though not the entire trilogies). The virtual glasses even include an attached set of headphones to provide users with movie-theater sound.
There are three different models of iWear currently available. The iWear AV230 retail for $249.95 and provide the virtual equivalent of watching a movie on a 44-inch screen from 9 feet away. For an upgrade to a larger screen, there’s the iWear AV920, which create the effect of watching a movie on a 62-inch screen. This iWear model also comes with a larger price tag: $349.95. Finally, there’s the iWear VR920 designed specifically for use by gamers. These glasses plug into a gaming console and enable the player to really get into the game. They offer a 62-inch screen effect, as well as a head movement tracker (allowing users to scan a gaming landscape by moving their heads from side to side) and a microphone for communicating with other players. The gaming glasses retail for $399.95.
The iWear glasses are compatible with almost any device that has a “video out” port. However, beyond gaming purposes, the glasses seem particularly ideal for use with video iPods or portable DVD players while traveling. The one great benefit of the iWear seems to be the ability to privatize the movie-watching experience without sacrificing quality. While riding on a plane, a person could sit inside their own home theater without disturbing the person next to them. But while they seem to be a good fit for air or vehicle travel, iWear should probably not be worn while walking down the street. And there is no word yet on whether the Vuzix iWear will completely destroy a person’s eyesight – though that seems like a mild possibility.
Vuzix iWear are currently available for purchase online at Firebox or from retailers such as Brookstone.
