Lenovo seems to be in form at the CES 2021 virtual event. The company has launched a handful of devices at the event, but we are in awe of the ThinkReality A3 smart glasses. These are not the first smart glasses by Lenovo, the company earlier launched ThinkReality A6. With the AR glasses, Lenovo is attempting to bring smart computing to a wearable form factor in the form of glasses. Let’s dive into the specifics now.
The ThinkReality A3 smart glasses project 3D virtual displays and allow other features and functionalities like remote collaboration—a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 chipset powers the gadget. They look super futuristic and can be used for personal tasks, but the main focus of these glasses is enterprise usage.
ThinkReality A3 PC Edition & ThinkReality A3 Industrial Edition
Lenovo promises two variants of these AR glasses with almost similar specs but a different design approach in terms of use. The two variants are – ThinkReality A3 PC Edition and ThinkReality A3 Industrial Edition.
The first variant, ThinkReality A3 PC Edition, aims at forming connectivity with a PC and virtual displays. Users can view up to five virtual monitors simultaneously and run Windows apps in the field of view. Lenovo touts the glasses to transform a single laptop into a full-blown desktop rig virtually.
The second variant, ThinkReality A3 Industrial Edition, aims at enterprise usage. It can connect with Android smartphones powered by Snapdragon 800 Series to run apps by Lenovo’s ThinkReality software platform. We think these apps are the custom programs created for site management, toolkits, and more.
Snapdragon XR1 SoC, USB Type-C Connectivity & More
The same chipset powers both the variants, i.e., Snapdragon XR1 SoC, and have the same 1080p display with 45PPD for each frame. The AR glass sports a dual fisheye camera enabling 6DoF tracking and an 8MP camera for taking photos, videos, and streaming contacts your view. The smart glasses also feature built-in speakers and three microphones. These smart glasses by Lenovo do not come with a battery, which helps to keep the weight down. The glasses rely entirely on the host device to provide power. A USB Type-C wired cable ensures connectivity.
The smart glasses feature folding arms enabling a modular design that helps in easy storage. Users can also swap the ear-pieces and nosepiece as per their comfortable size. Lenovo will also offer snap-in prescription lenses for users with corrective vision.
Smart glasses may find it difficult to find acceptance in the consumer space, but they do have a growing acceptance rate among industries and businesses. Mega companies like Facebook, Apple, Google, and others have also been working on smart eyewear versions.
The Lenovo ThinkReality A3 smart glasses shall enter the market mid-2021, and the should be revealed around the same timeline.
