Qualcomm Introduces Snapdragon AR2 Gen1 For Powerful Smart Glasses, Next-Gen Spatial Audio Technology

Common actuality can generally be an excessive amount of, which can clarify why there may be a lot curiosity in so-called augmented actuality (XR). This umbrella might embody all augmented and digital actuality options available on the market, however you’ve got most likely seen an issue with present {hardware}: it is cumbersome. On the Snapdragon Summit, Qualcomm launched the brand new Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 platform, a related resolution that can assist OEMs make the following technology of extra trendy augmented actuality glasses.

Beforehand, Qualcomm’s augmented actuality work was constructed on the XR1 and XR2 platforms, however now AR units could have their very own reference {hardware} as a place to begin. Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 is optimized for the distinctive challenges of AR {hardware} equivalent to measurement, energy effectivity and efficiency. AR2 Gen 1 is predicated on the 4nm course of node, identical to Qualcomm’s newest flagship smartphone processors. Because of this, the AR2 affords a 40% smaller PCB whereas utilizing 50% much less energy than the XR2. That is vital for one thing that can stand in your nostril.

OEMs could have the choice of utilizing a single-board resolution or deploying AR2 Gen 1 parts all through a chunk of {hardware}. For instance, the primary processor could also be on one temple of the glasses, whereas the connectivity resolution (with Wi-Fi 7 assist) could also be on the other aspect. In the meantime, there’s a coprocessor within the center for eye monitoring and picture processing. On that be aware, Qualcomm says the AR2 has 2.5x greater AI efficiency in comparison with the XR2.

AR2 Gen 1 could have native assist for Snapdragon Areas, Qualcomm’s developer platform for XR experiences. I’ve used a number of demos developed with Snapdragon Areas on XR2-based {hardware}, and whereas the expertise is spectacular, the cumbersome {hardware} ruined the expertise. AR2 Gen 1 may be of nice assist in purposes that don’t want the ability of the XR2. Qualcomm says OEMs are already making merchandise that characteristic: AR2 Gen 1Together with Lenovo, OnePlus, Motorola and Xiaomi. Nonetheless, it doesn’t supply any predictions as to when customers will see the primary AR2 Gen 1-based units.

Qualcomm wasn’t content material with AR; has extra new chips on your head. There are new private audio experiences with the Snapdragon S3 Gen 2 and S5 Gen 2, essentially the most superior Bluetooth audio platforms the corporate has ever produced. The S5 and S3 promise lossless audio assist with Bluetooth LE Audio in as little as 48ms, with even decrease latency than earlier than. Qualcomm has additionally labored with the Bluetooth SIG to make its chips work with the most recent LE options like Audacast, which broadcasts high-quality audio for a number of units to affix.

In line with Qualcomm’s shopper surveys, there’s a rising curiosity in spatial audio, and their new platform is supplementing it with dynamic head monitoring. There’s an enchancment in sound isolation with Qualcomm’s new Adaptive Energetic Noise Cancellation, which takes into consideration not solely environmental noise, but additionally the way in which the headphones match the wearer.

On this case, Qualcomm affords a basic timeline for availability, however that will not be anytime quickly. Distributors have samples to develop new merchandise, however we can’t see new headphones within the S3 or S5 till the second half of 2023.