United passengers test the Glyph headset. (Image: Avegant)
Passengers on a few United Airlines flights this week were the first to try out a new wraparound headset that provides a more immersive multimedia experience for in-flight streaming entertainment.
A company called Avegant produces the Glyph headsets, which can integrate seamlessly with streaming Wi-Fi programming. The testing took place to see exactly how the devices worked in-flight with United’s entertainment technology, and to gather feedback from passengers about the experience.
The company promises “an immersive 360-degree experience and side-by-side 3D in amazing detail,” along with superior audio quality through the headset’s padded earphones.
Headsets were handed out at the boarding gate. (Image: Avegant)
But it also stops short of what can be the disorienting view presented total virtual reality headsets. “The Avegant Glyph lets you see above and below the visual field, so you can easily orient yourself to your surroundings and not give up spatial awareness,” the company noted.
And it’s not just for in-flight use. The headset can plug into any HDMI-supported device for movies, gaming and other content, the company said.
Avegant is offering United travelers a 20 percent discount on the $549 headset if they order online by January 15.
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perhaps United would deploy maps via these so everyone could keep them on! I mean, why not?
can’t stop laughing or forwarding to friends….
In case of emergency evacuation, do these become tripping hazards as folks take them off and toss them away?
Is the on-board picture photoshopped? Look at the right arm/bicep of the gent in black!
Also, it looks like he has spilled over into the adjoining seat; his neighbor has to pull in his left arm with his right one
What about people who wear glasses? And for those of us who wear progressive lenses, the middle field of view has a much farther focal length than inches.
If I weren’t so lazy, I would go to the company website and read the FAQ; I am sure it would address my question.
“…lets you see above and below the visual field, so you can easily orient yourself to your surroundings and not give up spatial awareness…”
Well it’s a good way to keep people docile while they cram more in…. up next: no windows!!
I thought that United would be letting you use the new headsets. All they are doing is trying to again make more revenue and suck out every dollar from us.
Does it block your view of actual reality completely? It’s one thing when people where eye masks to try to sleep, but imagine how disorienting this will be when someone sitting next to you taps you on the shoulder because they need to get up to use the lav, or the flight attendant is trying to see if you’d like something to drink or eat and you cannot see or hear them. Not to mention users turning their heads around and sideways to experience 360 views creeping out the passenger sitting right next to them in close quarters in Economy.