The MR headset space is growing rapidly, and it’ll only increase in the coming months. Firms like Apple and Meta are debuting major consumer MR headsets, each firm aiming to lead the way for mainstream MR adoption with a paradigm-shifting product.
However, many immersive technology firms are deeply involved today in promoting MR content for enterprises and beyond.
One of these firms is PICO, a leading headset vendor that is already distributing MR devices to various end-users via its PICO 4 and Neo 3 Link products.
Recently, the firm optimized each device’s MR and hand-tracking abilities – two critical aspects behind many upcoming MR headsets.
PICO appears to be ahead of the pack, and with its OS version 5.7 update, the firm looks to solidify its innovative, ahead-of-the-pack technology offerings.
PICO 4, Neo 3 Link MR and Hand-Tracking Updates and Improvements
The new OS version covers PICO 4 and PICO Neo 3 Link device updates.
Notably, the new OS contains core improvements to the devices’ hand-tracking input abilities. According to the firm, OS 5.7 has “comprehensively upgraded” hand-tracking-based interactions using “improved smart algorithms.”
The OS’ smart algorithms reduce errors stemming from detection and tracking, such as virtual hand jitter and flicker. Moreover, PICO improves controller-less inputs with more accurate and stable motion tracking.
Alongside its hand-tracking update, PICO OS 5.7 includes updates to its MR abilities. Akin to other major immersive hardware providers, which are debuting MR headsets left and right, PICO is updating its MR offerings by improving the usability of its Mixed Reality Capture app; including an icon that indicates when a user starts a recording.
As MR becomes more commonplace, and perhaps even the norm going forward – amongst XR headset vendors – immersive technology firms must refine MR offerings as the technology becomes mainstream in 2024.
PICO OS 5.7 Further Updates
PICO OS 5.7 is introducing a trove of updates which improves the user experience in a series of minor ways, which combines into a critical leg up in usability.
Notably, OS 5.7 has new screen recording features, which could suggest the firm wants to push media sharing and social elements relating to its hardware usage.
Further PICO OS 5.7 updates include:
- Enhance Video Quality: PICO significantly improves its video recording and playback features. Amongst its improvements, PICO explains the new video player system for a “clearer, cinematic picture quality.”
- Live Previews: OS 5.7 includes new methods for headset operators to capture and record their displays – without requiring the launch of File Manager.
- Image Stabilization for Recording: Improves the recording of headset displays so that there is less shake for video playback.
- New Aspect Ratios: PICO OS 5.7 also includes new aspect ratios and frame options for increased flexibility for screen recording. PICO 4 and New 3 Link users can now record in a 9:16 vertical screen resolution. Also, the update lets users playback at 24 and 36 FPS.
- Silent Updates: PICO OS 5.7-ready devices will now come with silent update notifications, which automatically update downloaded installation packages and restart the devices; when the device’s screen is off and has 50 percent battery. This can save end-users and IT teams massive amounts of time, reducing the time required for keeping a fleet of devices up to date.
- UI Menu Reorganisation: PICO is carefully reorganizing the layout of its system menu to optimize user input and navigation. To achieve complete optimization, PICO is lowering the Dock menu by 15cm, and the firm also moved Menu and Notifications bars to “more optimal” positions.
- Improved WebXR Performance: PICO is also optimizing the performance of web browsers, and within that, the firm is optimizing the performance of WebXR assets.
- Play Boundary Accuracy: PICO OS 5.7 is updating its Play Boundary – which keeps users safe by creating a guided space around the operator, stopping them from clashing with their surroundings – to improve accuracy and avoid “abnormal drift experienced by some users.”
- New 6DoF Algorithms: PICO is also optimizing the performance of its 6DoF frameworks, which decreases the presence of issues relating to head tracking jitter.
The firm is also introducing two updates exclusively for PICO 4 devices, including the ability for users to scan and link bank cards via the device’s Seethrough Mode and updates to text clarity in the device’s Room Capture screen.
