TCL’s Nxtwear smart glasses look to thrive where Google Glass failed

TCL's Nxtwear smart spectacles wait to thrive where Google Glass failed

(Prototype credit: TCL)

TCL Nxtwear Chiliad specs

Display: 1080p Micro OLED
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Audio: Dual speaker
Interface: USB Type C
Size: seven.4 ten 6.3 x ane.7
Weight: 3.5 to 4.6 ounces

TCL is betting that you're ready to sideslip on a pair of smart spectacles the next fourth dimension y'all desire to watch a movie, play a game or get a for-your-eyes-but view of your smartphone. In advance of next calendar week's Mobile World Congress, the company is unveiling its Nxtwear G smart spectacles, which look a lot similar a pair of sunglasses, only with a cable attached.

That cable plugs into a uniform device — TCL says that more than 100 smartphones, two-in-ane hybrids and laptops work with its Nxtwear K habiliment — effulgent the contents of the screen directly in front end of your waiting eyeballs.

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Nxtwear G glasses debut in Australia start, launching in July for an undisclosed cost. TCL says that the glasses will roll out to other regions after that, though it hasn't disclosed specific plans, including whether the Nxtwear M glasses will hitting the U.S.

The trouble with smart glasses

Smart spectacles have had a hard time gaining mainstream acceptance always since the rocky debut of Google Glass back in 2013. At best, smart spectacles accept institute a niche audience in industries that benefit from hands-free computing. But apart from Snapchat Glasses — which are more of a wearable camera than anything — there'south been no real success at getting consumers to prefer smart glasses.

Nonetheless, tech companies run across some potential in this kind of wearable, as several reportedly take their own smart glasses in the works. Snapchat is reportedly working on an augmented reality-equipped version of its Spectacles, and Facebook could launch glasses of its own this year.

Apple could be the wild card in this market, as the tech behemothic reportedly has multiple irons in the fire — from AR-powered Apple Glasses expected to arrive in 2023 to a virtual and mixed reality headset that could exist ready to launch sooner.

How TCL's Nxtwear G spectacles fit in

No matter who'southward working on smart glasses, the challenge is the same — make them look like glasses someone would exist comfy wearing in public. TCL thinks it'south tackled that part: the unfolded Nxtwear K glasses measure 7.4 x half dozen.3 x ane.7 inches and weigh between 3.five and 4.6 ounces. (That includes the aforementioned cablevision.)

When it'due south time to take off the glasses, y'all carry them around in a small sheathing case. The glasses come with iii adjustable nose pad sizes for a proper fit, and TCL says a lens adapter will allow you adjust the viewing experience to accommodate whatever prescription.

As for the viewing experience itself, the Nxtwear G glasses feature a pair of Sony micro OLED screens offering 1080p resolution. It will be like staring at a 140-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the visitor says.

At that place'due south no bombardment on the Nxtwear G glasses, which were first previewed at CES earlier this year. That manner, you don't accept to worry nigh keeping them charged upwardly. Instead, you lot're cartoon ability from any device yous plug the spectacles into.

TCL imagines people using the Nxtwear spectacles to take in a movie on a more than immersive screen than what they're smartphone affords, or to actually identify themselves in the eye of a game. The company also touts the Nxtwear feel as creating a private piece of work space when you're commuting or traveling and want to go on your screen hidden from prying eyes.

TCL and Multi-Screen Collaboration

TCL isn't just relying on smart glasses for sharing content between devices. The company'due south Mobile World Congress announcements include a new Multi-Screen Collaboration feature that will allow Windows ten users to easily access photos, files and other content stored on a phone, working with that content on a laptop screen. The initiative sounds a lot like Samsung'south DeX feature or Motorola'southward Ready For, both of which let you connect your phone into an external display to take reward of a larger screen.

The Multi-Screen Collaboration characteristic comes to the TCL 20 Pro 5G smartphone beginning, through an upcoming over-the-air software update. TCL plans to extend it to other devices as well.

All the same, it's the Nxtwear G glasses that will command the bulk of the attention from today's announcements, and for good reason. We're eager to see if TCL has used its display expertise to create smart glasses that are more than only a gimmick.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'due south Guide. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.