Sightful, the innovative hardware startup aiming to establish a unique niche in the realm of ‘headless AR laptops,’ has made the decision to cancel its much-anticipated Spacetop G1, originally priced at ,900.
Challenges and Strategic Shift
Initially unveiled in May, the Spacetop G1 was poised to be Sightful’s first commercially available offering, following the early access release of its predecessor, the Spacetop. The earlier model featured a somewhat bulky laptop design that operated in conjunction with a pair of XREAL AR glasses. However, the company has now confirmed to CNET that it will not be moving forward with the Spacetop G1, and customers who pre-ordered the device will be refunded their 0 deposits.
The cancellation stems from significant challenges in competing against Microsoft’s advanced neural processing units (NPUs), which are integrated into the latest Surface laptops. These NPUs, along with offerings from established OEM partners like Lenovo, Dell, Asus, and HP, provide enhanced processing capabilities and improved battery efficiency for AR applications, making it difficult for Sightful to carve out its market share.
Originally slated for an October 2024 launch, the Spacetop G1 was designed to operate on an Android-based SpaceOS, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon QCS8550 chipset, and was intended to work exclusively with the XREAL Air 2 Ultra glasses.
New Directions Ahead
In light of these developments, Sightful is pivoting its strategy towards a software solution tailored for Windows laptops. This new product aims to deliver a comparable AR experience, allowing users to run Windows applications while integrating seamlessly with Microsoft’s CoPilot AI features. The software is expected to debut in early 2025, with initial compatibility for XREAL AR glasses via USB-C. While the company has hinted at the possibility of supporting additional AR glasses in the future, specific details remain undisclosed.
Moreover, Sightful has indicated plans to extend support to Mac users following the initial launch, with aspirations to broaden its reach to other devices, including TVs and smartphones. However, no definitive timeline for these expansions has been provided as of yet.
