Mira Prism Is a $99 iPhone-Compatible AR Headset

Interested in augmented reality? For $99, y'all can turn your iPhone into an AR headset with a new device called Mira Prism.

Unveiled Tuesday, the Prism headset and accompanying remote are designed to work with your existing Apple tree smartphone. Simply open up an app on your iPhone, slide the device into the headset and you're set to "begin exploring the wonders of interactive holographic content," the company said.

Unlike virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, which completely block out the existent world, Prism has clear lenses that allow you to see what'south going on around you lot. The device supports iPhone 6 and newer Apple handsets, offering a 60-caste field of view and a resolution of one,334 by 750.

Mira said it has partnered with content studios to create a suite of AR apps and games that volition be bachelor for free when the device ships. Those experiences "range from solo challenges to multiplayer games, including mind-angle mixed-reality puzzles, holographic chess, and digital warship battles," Mira said.

The remote features a touchpad, trigger, and two buttons. It tracks dispatch and rotation and tin exist used as a fishing rod, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation pointer, paintbrush, steering bike, or "magic wand."

In a statement, Mira Co-Founder and CEO Ben Taft called the device "a bridge between the physical and digital worlds.

"As developers, we wanted a way to build and experiment in AR without the demand for expensive equipment, and as AR enthusiasts, we wanted the opportunity to play and explore without limits," he added. "We challenged ourselves to build a mobile headset that would brand AR attainable to anyone."

Mira'south Unity-based SDK will exist bachelor for download in August, and the developer edition is slated to ship this fall. Look for the consumer edition in time for the holidays; you lot can pre-club now.

At WWDC, Apple announced new tools for software developers that volition let them to bring augmented reality apps to iPhones and iPads. Using ARKit, developers will exist able to create AR apps that work with people's existing iPhones.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'south practiced on fitness and smart dwelling products. Educational activity yoga for most 10 years has helped her in evaluating a range of continued health products including fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength training machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to proper name a few.