iPhone owners can now convert their smartphones into AR headsets with Holokit X. Developed by founder and CEO of Holo Interactive, Botao Amber Hu, the Holokit X is a plastic headset that relies on a mounted iPhone to power it being essentially a built-out version of Google Cardboard, Google’s rather lo-tech approach to delivering VR.
When wearing the Holokit X user look through glass with a 60-degree field of view. The lenses mirror the iPhone screen while the iPhone itself uses rear cameras to capture the surroundings.
The Holokit app works in tandem with the iPhone’s Spectator View to power the device’s real-time AR experiences. Users need simply to point their iPhone camera at the scene they want to view through the headset.
Consumers can purchase the Holokit X from the Holo Interactive website for $129. Other than the iPhone Mini and iPhone SE, the headset supports all newer iPhone models. However, the company recommends users use its headset with iPhone Pro models with LIDAR.
The HoloKit app takes advantage of Apple’s Vision framework technology to track users’ hand movements, allowing them to interact with virtual objects in augmented reality.
Currently, the Holokit app only offers a few AR experiences including a magic dueling game. While the Holokit X is not the most advanced AR headset it does showcase the iPhone’s AR capabilities which bodes well for Apple’s upcoming AR/VR headset.
The Apple AR/VR headset
It’s no secret that Apple is working on an AR/VR headset of its own. The headset is rumored to launch next year which may give the tech giant a much-needed boost in the metaverse. Currently, Meta seems to be dominating the Web3 space although it’s clear Zuckerberg acknowledges the threat that Apple poses as a competitor. The Facebook creator poached employees from Microsoft and Apple to develop Meta’s metaverse earlier this year.
Daniel Griffiths is a veteran journalist who has worked on some of the world's biggest entertainment, home and tech media brands. He's reviewed all the greats, interviewed countless big names, and reported on thousands of releases in the fields of video games, music, movies, tech, gadgets, home improvement, self build, interiors, garden design and more. He’s the ex-Editor of PSM3, GamesMaster, Future Music and ex-Group Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Musician, Guitarist, Guitar World, Computer Music and more. He renovates property and writes fun things for great websites.
