Immersing Myself in Always-On Monochrome AR with Even G1
Even G1 is a pair of AR glasses sold by Even Realities. It has an appearance that seems suitable for everyday use, and at a glance it does not look like AR glasses.
When I saw Even G1 online, I thought a device with a new concept had appeared, and I immediately pressed the purchase button. I think the price is also fairly affordable, though it would be even better if the yen were not weak.
An Area Not Covered by Various XR Devices
XREAL is similar in the sense that it is a glasses-type device, but it does not have a built-in battery. Not having a built-in battery means that some kind of cable connection is required when using it. The device itself is light and feels good, but for me personally, the presence of the cable is the final factor that keeps it from reaching everyday use.
Meta Quest 3 has no cable, but its appearance very much feels like wearing an XR device, so for example, I think it would take quite a bit of courage to go to the food section of Ito-Yokado while wearing it.
Vision Pro currently provides the highest-grade experience, but it has a cable, and when you are in a public place, it becomes a distinctive style. I have not yet broken down the barrier in myself to the point where I can wander around outside with it.
Now, Even G1. As you can see from the site, even taking into account that the models look cool, I think it is quite stylish. When you actually look at the product, there is a shape around the temple tips that seems to contain the battery and controls, but it is only a minimal bulge and does not stand out much once worn.
There have been various XR glasses close to ordinary glasses in shape, but I do not think there have been many that look this close to ordinary glasses. Of course, if we include sound-only devices without displays, many stylish products have existed before. But among display-equipped devices, Even G1 may stand out as a device with an unusually normal feel.
Even G1 Has a Clever Case
When you buy Even G1, it comes with a case. This case is not only for storage, but also serves as a battery charger. When you finish using it, you just put it back in the case.
That is not the case's only role. During initial setup, it also becomes the device used for pairing. One thing to be careful about is that you need to fold the left side first. If you do not, it does not fit into the case properly, and charging does not work as expected.
The Feeling That Monochrome AR Might Be Enough
Spatial computing is overwhelming. At present, I think Vision Pro is one step ahead there. However, the information we want in space is not necessarily only rich information.
For example, when you go shopping, both hands are full, and you cannot remember what you need to buy today. In situations like that, Even G1 is strong. If all you need is to see information written in a note, you can display it without using your hands. (You can also display it using your hands, depending on the settings.)
There are other moments too: when you want to quickly check a map, or just check the time. In those moments, you can confirm the information by looking slightly upward.
If the display is monochrome and has a small display area, power consumption should also be low. According to reviews online, it seems to last about a full day with plenty of margin.
Things I Want Improved
While I think Even G1 has tremendous potential, it is not that I have no complaints about the current version. Rather, because I feel so much possibility in it, I also have various complaints.
First, I want more operations and settings to be adjustable directly on the device itself. Even G1 lets you configure various settings by launching a dedicated smartphone app. There are a decent number of items that can be configured, but I found it bothersome to use the smartphone every time.
Next is a more complete SDK. On GitHub, there is a demo app prepared by the official account, and it seems that by forking it, you can create an original app. If possible, I would be happy to have an environment where we can build custom apps using a library like an SDK.
Another request is the ability to assign each action more freely. Even G1 has trackpad-like areas for scrolling left and right, as well as tap areas on both sides. It can also distinguish single taps, double taps, and triple taps. If these could be freely assigned, it should become extremely easy to use.
I have various complaints, but that does not mean this is a disappointing product. Rather, they come from the expectation that a product finally exists that can be used in everyday life. For a while, I plan to live with it always on when I go out, and enjoy imagining a world where glasses-type devices spread widely.