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iPhone 15 set out USB - C , a great upgrade just for the sake of cable system direction saneness , but that also brought support for native video out . That means you may plug into exhibit to the iPhone well with a single cable and do fun poppycock like output Netflix videos to your hotel TV , for instance — but it also means you may use a bourgeoning accessory family that really tot up a long ton of utility and convenience to the gadget you have on you most often , peculiarly when traveling .
I ’m talking about the bevy of so - call “ augmented reality ” spyglass that are priced at between $ 300 and $ 500 , and that are more accurately draw as glasses with very nice , very lowly ramp up - in projector screens . The pair I ’ve been using most , and that I ’ve very much enjoyed partner off with my iPhone 15 Pro , are theXreal Air ( the company has since introduced the Xreal Air 2 , and the upgraded Xreal Air 2 Pro ) , which boast a 120Hz , 0.68 - inch MicrOLED exhibit that are ricochet off a mirror onto the lenses , which allow you to see both the exhibit as well as the world around you . If you want a more immersive view surroundings and reliable total darkness , simply add up the physical hood to the front of the glass to block out all clean transmission .
The Xreal Air do n’t have their own tycoon supplying , and instead they ’re power by whatever equipment you tie in to them — just like many of the USB - C portable monitors useable on the grocery store presently . They bring slap-up out of the box with their included USB - snow to USB - C cable and the iPhone 15 line , and you should instantly see your cover mirrored on the Air ’s display once you plug them in . By default option , it should just mirror your phone ’s homescreen and apps , but for television streaming apps specifically that sustain video out , you ’ll get a screen - filing landscape orientation course video once you jump into streaming an real show or movie .
It ’s also a fantastic accoutrement for play game , specially when paired with the Backbone USB - C controller , for a much magnanimous and more immersive view — and it ’s honestly not bad for browsing the vane with a minimalist setup that includes a partner off Bluetooth keyboard . I ’ve even used it to write some posts here and there while on a plane using our WordPress backend . It also supports impart your own prescription lenses via an include inset , and I ordered some with my prescription from HONSVR for about $ 50 shipped .
The Xreal Air experience can get better , too — once you bestow in the optional Xreal Beam accessory , you get the power to fix your practical display in space proportional to your fountainhead position , which can cut down on any inner ear - related seasickness you might otherwise sense . The Xreal Beam has its own app platform — which is as yet developing , however — and also act as a backup stamp battery bank if you ’re not using its onboard power for any augmented reality tasks . Plus , you could use it to connect up a kitchen range of devices , include game consoles like the Switch and PS5 for a very orotund practical display that can scale as big as 300 inch .
To be clear , this the manual dexterity - of - hand version of what Apple ’s going to rescue with theVision Pro : more living room john than epitome shift . But at around a one-tenth of the price , available right now , and with a bunch of the everyday have you ’d desire from a spatial computing machine you’re able to really carry with you everywhere , and a much lighter and more discreet form factor , it ’s likely a good pick for most hoi polloi — even when the Vision Pro does get next twelvemonth .
