Watching VMware course videos during working out at the gym
I am unhappy about last year’s performance and have not met my learning goals. I am always looking to improve and use my time more wisely. I have not had time to watch my VMware Training Course videos “VMware Cloud Foundation: Planning, Management, Operations [V4.3] – On Demand Content” and many others. Finding more time has always been difficult. Then I saw YouTube videos of people testing AR glasses. Based on a quick web search, I found two companies, Nreal and Rokid. I could try them at the gym while I work out. Before, I had been reading a book or watching a tablet on the treadmill, and at home, I have a standing desk where I use a computer while I walk on the treadmill.
This solution is not for everyone. One needs enough discipline to make good use of it.
My decision was because Rokid promised to ship globally. Nreal was only available in a few countries, and I was looking for simple functionality. I would see a big screen in front of my eyes, lightweight, and I did not care about the AR and fancy features. I did not need a built-in camera. Based on the information, I could find negative feedback about both companies, but feedback depends on what people are looking for and how they want to use it.
There was a small discount for Rokid, so I bought the Rokid Ultimate Bundle. Surprisingly, it was effortless to use with my iPhone. Rokid Air AR Glasses do not have a battery inside, so it uses your mobile phone for power, or you could buy a Wireless Adapter Bundle. Connecting to a wireless Adapter Bundle, it efficiently works with Apple AirPlay over iPhone or macOS. Surprisingly, the quality of what it projects in front of my eyes is crisp and clear. When I connected over USB-C to Samsung Smartphone, my smartphone turned into a big touchpad, and I saw a large tablet or computer screen in my glasses.
The screen size depends on the distance to the wall or object. If I look at the end of the room, I have a massive screen. If I am sitting behind the computer and the wall is very close, the screen is tiny. The same happens at the gym. If gym equipment is nearby, then the screen is smaller.
When I walked to the gym while watching my iPhone, the battery ran out of power quickly when it was on AirPlay mode, and I watched the VMware Cloud Foundation: Planning, Management, Operations [V4.3] Course video. I needed to use a battery bank for the phone.
I thought using glasses during an elliptical would be good and easy, but it is actually the opposite. Because my body moves up and down when I warm up, sometimes the text on the screen is unclear.
I had difficulties adjusting the screen. The left-side text was not very clear, and using the adjusting wheels was not easy. The right-side wheel moves around freely, but the left side is difficult to turn. I had to hold my glasses with another hand, which changed how they fit on my face. I feel the “Myopia-Friendly” wheels are not working as intended, at least not for me. I believe the quality of the glasses depends on the individual’s eyesight and face/head shape.
If you have slightly stronger glasses, I would not suggest buying them, because you cannot wear them together with these glasses. Some users’ heads could start spinning around when wearing them.
I move around or exercise during a workout, and sometimes the text gets very blurry. It becomes impossible to read anything in PowerPoint. If I use iPhone AirPlay, the only audio option is Rokid Air glasses and built-in speakers. They are average, but I prefer my headset with those glasses. However, this is a limitation of iOS, not the glasses. It is possible to change the speakers in macOS but not in iOS.
One can use Bluetooth headsets with those glasses on Android phones connected with USB-C.
For me, it is a good start and better than nothing. I can at least watch those videos when I am working out, walking to the gym, or commuting. Unfortunately, the VMware Educational site is not mobile-friendly, and the experience is terrible. But again, it is better than nothing. They should have an app that I can download and watch offline. It would be better than this website and would save mobile data costs.
What you think about glasses:
The picture quality and colors are of outstanding quality. Watching movies and educational videos is amazing. Reading text is average and based on people’s individual eyesight. If you are wearing prescription glasses, I would not recommend them. AR mode crashed the app.
How clear is the picture?
Everything in the middle of the screen is clear. However, the text on the left side is unclear.