Blog

Epson launches the Moverio BT-100 last Friday at Ion Sky. The Epson Moverio is Epson’s answer to Google Glasses.

It will be retailing from Monday, 23rd July 2012 at selected Best Denki outlets for S$999. If you pre-order the Moverio at those selected outlets from today till 22nd July 2012, you will get a 16GB MicroSD card (worth S$18) and a pair of CX215 Sennheiser earphones (worth S$68.90) for free.

Features

• LCD Technology: Leveraging Epson’s leadership in LCD technology and visual imaging, the Moverio is able to project a 320-inch perceived “floating” display 20 meters away from the user.
• Excellent Mobility: Rechargeable battery offers nearly six hours of battery life.
• Download and Go: Transfer content, games and apps to the included 4GB microSDHC card or internal 1GB of user storage on the controller.
• Operating System and Support: Google Android-powered with 802.11n wireless connectivity to stream videos from popular television websites which features Flash 11 content and content rich Flash-enabled websites.
• Big Sound: Dolby Mobile surround sound delivered to personal earphones or Moverio’s detachable earphones (included in-box).
• Innovative Navigation: Touch-enabled track pad and navigational buttons enable easy interaction of content.
• Immersive 3D: Enjoy side-by-side 3D formatted content like never before.

Specifications

• OS: Android 2.2
• Perceived Image Size: 80″ at 16.4 feet (5m)
• Resolution: 960 x 540 pixels (qHD)
• Pixel Number: 518,400 dots (960 x 540 x 3)
• Micro-Projection Optical Engine: 0.52″ Poli-silicon TFT active Matrix Color LCD with LED light source
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Field of View: 23 degrees
• Color Depth: 24-bit color (16.77 million colors)
• Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (NTSC, Android)
• Transparency (of light guide): up to 70% maximum
• Lens Shade: Removable
• Sound Output: 1.5mW / 16 ohm (2.5mm Mono x 2)
• Virtual Surround Sound: Dolby Mobile
• Dimensions (D x W x H): 7.0″ x 8.1″ x 1.9″ (178mm x 205mm x 47mm)
• Weight: 220g (without lens shade), 240g (with lens shade)
• Internal User Memory: 1GB
• External Memory: microSDHC (32GB maximum)
• Connectivity: microUSB, IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• Battery: 5.8 hours (Lithium-Polymer 2530mAh

Somehow I felt that Epson rush it to get this product out before Google. There are so many cons to this device that I started to wonder would anyone really buy it?

The device is heavy for current spectacles/glasses users because you have to place the Moverio which weight 220g on top of your spectacles which makes it extremely uncomfortable. If you are not wearing spectacles, then you will not face this issue.

The OS is Android 2.2 and it is not upgradable and neither is Google Play available to you. You have to use a third party marketplace to get apps.

There is no Bluetooth built-in and hence the trackpad wires used to control the Moverio is connected to the main body itself.

The design can be improved, I would not wear this out because it just makes me look “not normal”.

The Moverio is expensive, it is priced at S$999.

The only 2 good points I felt was the display (supports 2D/3D view) and audio was pretty good and that’s about it. Though one of Epson selling point was privacy (no one can see what you are watching), I say get a 3M Privacy Screen Protector for your laptop and this issue is not really a concern anymore.

UPDATE From Epson: Epson’s Moverio is not a response to Google Glasses as Epson does not know what Google Glasses will be like in 2 years. Epson’s position of the Moverio is more that it is a portable, mobile entertainment device