Vuzix M100
The Vuzix M100 is a potential competitor for Google Glass and could be the first to the market to offer workable AR that people might actually start using. Instead of glasses, here you have something akin to a bluetooth headset with a tiny monitor/projector attached to it to project a floating UI. The device runs Android but can also stream what’s happening on your phone. It comes with a built-in camera to allow for all kinds of funky applications. It’s not available yet, but it should be soon and will probably have an affordable price point.
Project Shield
Project Shield is an Android gaming device that’s essentially a tablet with an attachable controller. With a Tegra 4 processor it should be powerful enough to run all of the highest spec games, but most exciting is the ability to stream games straight from your PC. In other words, if you like the ability that the Wii U gives you to play console games while kicking back in bed, then this will give you the same luxury for your PC gaming. The only downside is a rather restrictive price point which means this device is likely to remain fairly niche.
The XPeria Z
Okay so it’s not exactly revolutionary, but the XPeria Z is a pretty impressive device nonetheless. With great specs (including HDR recording – the first on a smartphone) and a large screen to rival the Note 2, this attractive Android phone is even waterproof meaning you can sit it in a glass of water. For those of you who have always wanted to do that…
The Rift VR Headset
There have been many attempts at creating a virtual reality experience that’s convincing enough to actually catch on but so far nothing has really managed to impress (Virtual Boy anyone?). Reports from those who had hands-on time with the early-in-development Rift VR Headset though suggest this could all change soon and describe the experience as being ‘wholly immersive’ and completely engaging. While there is a lot of work to be done on the device, the 3D effect, impressive image and head tracking movement could make for 3D worlds that just beg to be explored.
Mircrosot Illumi Room
The Microsoft Illumi Room is a concept that takes gaming in another direction – essentially turning your living room into the ‘war room’ from the X-Men comics. This works by using a projector to turn parts of your room into environments from the game you’re playing, and this could be used to immerse you further into the landscape or to create amazing effects like warp drive or the illusion that your furniture is moving. The video demonstration is pretty exciting, the question is only when and how Microsoft will bring this bad boy to market.
Panasonic’s 4K Tablet
4K is the future of HD providing incredibly crisp images that almost look so real you could touch them and is just starting to catch on in the world of television. Panasonic looks to change this though with an impressive 20inch 4K tablet. How you’d use this baby is uncertain, but then many people will probably be content to just stare at it with their jaws open…