Shadow Creator Unveils Nintendo Switch-Inspired AR Glasses

Summary

• Beyond AR glasses: a real Nintendo Switch

Chinese startup Shadow Creator has lifted the veil on AR glasses whose computing unit looks a lot like the Nintendo Switch.

The device is the result of a collaboration with the British startup PhotonLens and is intended for the general public for gaming and fitness use. Called "Photons", the glasses have a computing unit that runs on Snapdragon XR2, the Qualcomm chip that is gradually becoming the standard on a stand-alone headset. For example, it is also found on the Oculus Quest 2.

By relegating the data processing to an external unit, the Photons weigh only 87 g on the scale, the same weight as the Nreal Light. In addition, Shadow Creator has already announced a 50 degree field of view, three cameras and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

The screens should show 2,07 million pixels per eye. Finally, integrated Harman Kardon speakers will produce quality sound.

Beyond AR glasses: a real Nintendo Switch

For its part, the “almost Switch” computing unit can count on 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a Bluetooth 5 connection, a USB-C port and a 3 mAh battery. Like the Nintendo console, this unit also has a 400 x 1 pixel display.

And what would the Switch be without its JoyCons? Thus, the two Photon controllers attach to both sides of the computing unit, offering 6 degrees of freedom. If the design seems uninspired, it must be conceded that it is a smart solution.

At the moment no exact release date, but it is known that the AR glasses will have to benefit from a Kickstarter campaign in the next 3 months. Probably around December 2020 or January 2021. So, stay tuned to the crowdfunding platform.