Lenovo's AR Headset Brings Lightsaber Duels to Smartphones

BERLIN—Using a smartphone to power a virtual reality headset is not a new concept, but the idea of using it for augmented reality is certainly unique.

Different other smartphone-powered headsets on the market, similar the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream View, the Lenovo Mirage AR headset is geared toward providing users with an augmented reality experience that combines a smartphone-powered headset, touch controller, and tracking sensor.

Using a pair of built-in fish-eye cameras, like in some means to the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the Mirage AR provides users with within-out positional tracking. The included Tracking Beacon acts as a stable base to track the user's location. Combine that with the Lightsaber Controller, essentially a real-life lightsaber with haptic feedback that doubles as a controller and a pointer, and you take the basis for Star Wars: Jedi Challenge, the new AR game Lenovo partnered with Disney to support.

"With Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, Lenovo and Disney are bringing Star Wars to fans in ways they could previously only imagine,"says Jeff Meredith, SVP and General Director of Consumer Business organisation Segment, Lenovo PCs and Smart Devices. The game will be user-friendly for all ages while withal having multiple levels of immersive gameplay focused on the apply of Jedi Holocrons, gaining knowledge of the Jedi, and perfecting lightsaber skills.

A strategic element will as well be involved with the ability to command armies to fight the Empire, Sepretaists, and First Social club. Holochess, the holographic board game that'due south periodically been seen in Star Wars movies volition now appear in existent life. "Augmented reality has always been an of import part of Star Wars, and it'south exciting to bring these key moments to life with this product," said Meredith.

Lenovo Mirage AR Headset

We've tested AR games before on the Phab 2 Pro and the Asus ZenFone AR. If there's one issue we've had with both devices it's that having to hold a large and heavy phone upward in the air for long periods of fourth dimension makes for an unwieldy and uncomfortable style to play games. Putting the same phone into a headset makes a surprising bargain of sense when you take into account that at 1.04 pounds, the Mirage AR will be quite a scrap lighter than VR headsets like the HTC Vive. You likewise don't accept to worry about wires considering the headset has a 2,200mAh built-in bombardment, keeping you untethered while playing.

"We believe augmented reality will usher in a new era of storytelling and play an important role in the experiences we create for our fans," said Kyle Laughlin, SVP of Games and Interactive Experiences, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. "With Star Wars: Jedi Challenges [we] fulfill the wishes of anyone who's e'er wanted to wield a lightsaber or take on empire forces on the battlefield."

The game is priced at $199.99 and sold equally a packet consisting of 3 pieces of hardware: the Lenovo Mirage AR headset, the Lightsaber Controller, and a Tracking Beacon. A compatible smartphone is besides required. Star Wars: Jedi Challenge volition be available for sale online and Best Purchase stores nationwide starting in November. We're for certain going to put our Jedi powers to the test, and then stay tuned for our total review.