Spatial computing has long been associated with headsets like Apple’s Vision Pro headset, but tech startup Sightful is taking it one step further by unveiling a laptop without a screen known as Spacetop G1, designed to work alongside Xreal Air 2 Pro glasses to deliver a virtual 100-inch workspace.
Tech enthusiasts can reserve this $1,900 laptop through Sightful’s website. The device runs web apps on an upgraded version of Android with an eight-hour battery life.
What is it?
The Sightful G1 is an innovative screenless laptop which combines keyboard, trackpad and mouse functionality with customized augmented reality glasses to produce an eye-level 100-inch virtual display that floats above real world. By creating multiple tasks without switching physical screens for each task, this enables multitasking using just one device.
SpaceOS, built upon Chromium OS like Chromebooks, allows you to set up and navigate virtual desktops optimized for Air 2 Pro glasses using custom gestures and navigate it using custom gestures. In addition, the computer features a 5MP camera for video calls.
Though the Spacetop G1 may not support all desktop programs, it will run web apps for Google Suite productivity software, Microsoft 365 and Slack web services and Slack. Furthermore, the company aims to add the capability of installing and running Android applications as soon as possible.
Its Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 processor is nearly 70 percent faster than that found in its predecessor model and provides 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of storage. Furthermore, this model boasts a higher-resolution camera as well as an upgraded battery that delivers eight hours of playback per charge.
The new model is more manageable than its predecessor, which was too bulky to fit in backpacks. Slim enough to comfortably fit most pockets and briefcases without issue, its keyboard and trackpad have been scaled down so as to allow easy typing and navigation with minimal fumbling.
Features
The Spacetop G1 may appear like any regular laptop from its bottom surface, save for its unusual bulge housing a pair of glasses. Draw back its case like you would open a clamshell laptop, and it folds back around to expose a glasses cubby allowing augmented reality sensing capabilities. Though bulky to carry around, its presence demonstrates just how much work has gone into creating something so real-looking and life-like.
Sightful’s customized operating system was developed to give you access to your favorite web apps and desktop programs, including Google Suite, Microsoft 365, Slack and Zoom. Based on Chromium software commonly found on Chromebooks but tailored specifically for Sightful with its unique setup and navigation using gesture controls.
At launch, the Spacetop will only run web applications – no Android apps; though Sightful plans to support those in the future. A small OLED screen above the keyboard displays status information and QR codes while an integrated camera enables video calling capabilities.
Sightful has also improved their headsets since releasing an early access model last year. They’re lighter and more comfortable to wear, with auto dimming features to improve focus when in bright or sunlit environments. Furthermore, there’s now a more powerful processor which runs about 70% faster and a 90Hz refresh rate for crisp visuals; combined, these features offer productivity benefits far beyond a regular laptop. Preorder of $1900 Spacetop is open; delivery will start sometime during October; expandability via accessories may include offering battery packs to extend its 8-hour battery life when on the move if necessary!
Design
Spacetop G1 was designed to replace traditional laptop screens by employing built-in augmented reality glasses to provide a virtual workspace. It’s an upgraded version of Spacetop Early Access which was distributed last year to “hundreds of early adopters”. Co-created by former Magic Leap executives Tamir Berliner and Tomer Kahan.
The black fabric case resembles a classic laptop and fits easily into backpacks, opening to reveal a cubby for AR glasses that fold back when not being used and keeps their camera array propped up facing you. Its slim profile means less awkward social situations; light enough for prolonged comfort during wear; auto dim in bright conditions to enhance focus while providing lossless text legibility are among its many qualities.
With the trackpad on a keyboard, you can move apps around a virtual workspace using simple gestures. A horizontal swipe will move the entire canvas left or right to show or hide individual screens; you can push desktop far out for an overview view or pull in closer for more focused work; it also remembers your window positioning which can come in handy!
The Spacetop G1 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip featuring up to 48 TOPS of AI performance, boasting 8 hours of battery life and up to 70% faster processing chip performance – as well as 90Hz optics refresh rate to enhance productivity beyond that offered by traditional laptops. Tech enthusiasts looking for an immersive computing device can reserve one on Sightful’s website for $1,900; expected shipment is scheduled for October 2024.
Performance
The $1,900 Spacetop G1 transforms laptop screens into floating virtual displays via AR glasses built-in to its chassis. It is an upgrade of their first prototype that they shipped out to hundreds of early adopters last year for feedback, helping refine hardware and operating system before commercially making available. Now with an 8-hour battery life and 70% faster processor performance.
Berliner explained that the goal was to design a computer that felt similar to a regular laptop while providing “spatial computing” right in front of your eyes. Unlike Apple Vision Pro or other competitors, G1 doesn’t use headsets; rather it uses wireless AR glasses connected to a keyboard dock with all of its usual keys, trackpad and other elements for business use.
There’s a camera in your glasses to capture your face, enabling the system to show pinned-to-you views of your virtual workspace. That way, someone else cannot steal and use your headset for their own work without your knowledge. In addition, your laptop features a trackpad for scrolling the desktop in any direction – especially helpful when performing tasks that involve physical movement.
Trackpads also enable you to use gestures to move and position your virtual screen, like using three-finger swipe forward to move horizontally or close or far away to zoom in or gain an aerial view of screens or details – much easier and intuitive than dragging around an actual mouse!
Pricing
Sightful’s Spacetop G1 has finally made it out of early access and can now be pre-ordered for just $1,900. This futuristic computer pairs AR glasses with the bottom half of a laptop to create a portable, versatile workstation – featuring virtual screens where apps and windows can be organized on an expanded workspace that fills an entire room. Furthermore, its advanced AI technology runs on Sightful’s proprietary SpaceOS for easy navigation.
The Spacetop G1 features several upgrades over its predecessor model, such as increased comfort and ergonomic design. In addition, they have modified the structure of their glasses for easier wearability when worn for long periods. It also boasts faster processor speeds and longer battery life.
Underneath its exterior lies a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 chipset featuring Adreno 740 graphics and Hexagon NPU capable of supporting 48 TOPS of AI performance, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage, as well as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity options as well as 5G sub-6GHz and LTE network bands for wireless connectivity options.
As opposed to traditional laptops which require users to hold the device open for viewing their virtual screen, the G1 allows users to fold away its keyboard and store their AR glasses in a dedicated compartment in its lid – giving an intuitive and comfortable mobile workspace experience that still provides full desktop-like features.
Berliner also demonstrated the new Travel mode feature on his glasses, which utilizes their cameras to keep tabs on where you are in a room so virtual screens stay where they belong. This similar to what has been seen with more advanced Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 AR computers – yet with much simpler implementation.
