Mira Prism
| Mira Prism | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Headset |
| Subtype | Consumer AR, Mobile AR |
| Platform | iOS (iPhone-powered) |
| Creator | Mira Labs |
| Developer | Mira Labs |
| Manufacturer | Mira Labs |
| Announcement Date | July 2017 |
| Release Date | Late 2017 |
| Price | $99 (pre-order), $150 (retail) |
| Website | https://www.mirareality.com/ (discontinued) |
| Versions | Mira Prism |
| Requires | iPhone (4.7" to 5.8" screen) |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | Mira Prism Pro |
| System | |
| Operating System | iOS (app-powered) |
| Chipset | iPhone dependent |
| CPU | iPhone dependent |
| GPU | iPhone dependent |
| Storage | |
| Storage | iPhone dependent |
| Memory | iPhone dependent |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Reflected iPhone display |
| Subpixel Layout | iPhone dependent |
| Peak Brightness | iPhone dependent |
| Resolution | 1334 × 750 total (half iPhone per eye) |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz (iPhone dependent) |
| Persistence | iPhone dependent |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 60° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~60° |
| Vertical FoV | ~35° |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Reflective prism (magnetic detachable lenses) |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Fixed (lens separation) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (glasses compatible) |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (optical AR) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (IMU-based via controller) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes (controller) |
| Positional Tracking | Limited (iPhone front camera) |
| Update Rate | 60Hz |
| Tracking Volume | Limited |
| Play Space | Seated/standing |
| Latency | <100ms |
| Audio | |
| Audio | iPhone speakers or headphones |
| Microphone | iPhone microphone |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Via iPhone |
| Camera | iPhone front-facing camera (tracking) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE (controller) |
| Ports | None (headset) |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | Via iPhone |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth LE (controller) |
| Power | Passive (no battery required) |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (iPhone powered) |
| Battery Life | iPhone dependent |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Lightweight headset form |
| Weight | <454g (<1 lb) |
| Material | Hard and soft plastics, neoprene canopy |
| Headstrap | Integrated strap with neoprene padding |
| Haptics | Controller only |
| Color | White |
| Sensors | Via iPhone (accelerometer, gyroscope) |
| Input | Bluetooth controller (3DoF, touchpad, trigger, buttons) |
| Compliance | FCC |
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The Mira Prism is an iPhone-powered augmented reality headset developed by Mira Labs, announced in July 2017 and released later that year at a pre-order price of $99 (retail $150). Positioned as an affordable entry point to consumer AR—"the Google Daydream of augmented reality"—the Mira Prism uses a reflective prism optical system to project an iPhone's display into the user's field of view while maintaining see-through capability, achieving an impressive 60° field of view (compared to HoloLens at under 40° and Epson Moverio at 23°) at a fraction of competitors' prices. Users slide a compatible iPhone (4.7" to 5.8" screen, including iPhone 6, 6s, and 7) into the headset, with the phone's front-facing camera providing limited positional tracking. The package includes a Bluetooth controller with 3DoF orientation tracking, touchpad, mechanical trigger, and programmable buttons, enabling interactive AR experiences. Designed by Astro Studios with a combination of hard and soft materials, magnetic detachable lenses, and a neoprene canopy that accommodates multiple iPhone models, the Mira Prism represented one of the first attempts to bring affordable, phone-powered AR to consumers.
History and Development
Mira Labs Background
Company origins:
- Los Angeles-based startup
- Founded to democratize AR
- Consumer-focused mission
- Affordable AR goal
July 2017 Announcement
Pre-order launch:
- $99 pre-order price
- Developer shipping: Fall 2017
- Consumer: Holiday 2017
- Major media coverage
Design Partnership
Astro Studios collaboration:
- Industrial design expertise
- Material innovation
- Consumer product focus
- Award-winning design
Market Position
Consumer AR entry:
- Fraction of HoloLens price
- iPhone ecosystem leverage
- Casual consumer target
- Gaming and entertainment
Design Philosophy
Affordable AR
Consumer accessibility:
- $99-150 price point
- No expensive components
- Smartphone leverage
- Mass market potential
Reflective Optics
Simple AR solution:
- Prism reflection system
- iPhone display source
- See-through capability
- Wide FOV achievement
Universal Fit
Phone compatibility:
- 4.7" to 5.8" screens
- iPhone 6, 6s, 7 support
- Neoprene canopy
- No adapters needed
Controller Included
Complete package:
- Bluetooth controller
- 3DoF tracking
- Touch and buttons
- Interactive capability
Display Technology
Reflected iPhone Display
Visual source:
- Resolution: 1334 × 750 total
- Source: iPhone screen
- Half resolution per eye
- Full-color AR
Field of View
Impressive coverage:
- FOV: 60°
- Wider than HoloLens (<40°)
- Wider than Moverio (23°)
- Immersive experience
Magnetic Lenses
Optical design:
- Detachable lenses
- Magnetic attachment
- Easy portability
- Protective cover included
See-Through Capability
Optical AR:
- Real-world visibility
- Digital overlay
- True AR experience
- Environmental awareness
Controller
Bluetooth Controller
Input device specifications:
- Tracking: 3DoF IMU-based
- Sensors: Gyroscope + accelerometer
- Connection: Bluetooth LE
- Power: AAA batteries (included)
Controller Features
Input options:
- Touchpad with gesture support
- Two programmable buttons
- Mechanical trigger
- Ergonomic design
Interaction Capabilities
Control options:
- Orientation tracking
- Touch gestures
- Button inputs
- Trigger actions
Tracking System
Controller Tracking
Orientation detection:
- Type: 3DoF IMU
- Rotation tracking
- Gyroscope-based
- Responsive input
Positional Tracking
Limited capability:
- iPhone front camera
- Basic position sensing
- Limited range
- Supplementary tracking
Physical Design
Lightweight Construction
Wearability:
- Weight: Less than 1 lb (454g)
- Comfortable wear
- Extended sessions
- Portable
Material Combination
Build quality:
- Hard plastics (structure)
- Soft materials (comfort)
- Neoprene canopy
- Durable design
Phone Accommodation
Universal fit:
- Neoprene canopy stretch
- Multiple models supported
- No adapters required
- Wire-free design
Comfort Features
Wearability:
- Adjustable straps
- Padded contact points
- Balanced weight
- Extended use capable
Package Contents
Complete Kit
Included items:
- Mira Prism headset
- Bluetooth remote controller
- Launchpad (platform)
- Carrying case
- Lens cover
- AAA batteries
- Premium game bundle
- Core apps
Software
iOS Platform
iPhone dependency:
- iOS applications
- App Store distribution
- iPhone processing
- iOS features
Mira Apps
Core software:
- Mira core applications
- Premium game bundle
- AR experiences
- Developer tools
Content Library
Available experiences:
- Games
- Entertainment
- Educational
- Social AR
Use Cases
Gaming
Entertainment primary:
- AR games
- Interactive experiences
- Controller-based play
- Casual gaming
Entertainment
Media consumption:
- AR video
- Virtual displays
- Immersive content
- Social experiences
Educational
Learning applications:
- AR visualization
- Interactive learning
- Science demonstrations
- Educational content
Social
Shared experiences:
- Multiplayer AR
- Shared viewing
- Social games
- Collaborative play
Comparison with 2017 Contemporaries
| Feature | Mira Prism | Microsoft HoloLens | Epson Moverio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $99-150 | $3,000 | $699 |
| FOV | 60° | <40° | 23° |
| Power Source | iPhone | Self-contained | Self-contained |
| Resolution | 1334×750 | 1268×720/eye | 960×540/eye |
| Tracking | 3DoF + camera | 6DoF | 3DoF |
| Weight | <1 lb | 1.27 lbs | 0.19 lbs (glasses) |
| Target | Consumer | Enterprise | Consumer/Enterprise |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Extremely affordable ($99-150)
- 60° FOV (wider than HoloLens)
- No batteries required (iPhone powered)
- Included Bluetooth controller
- Magnetic detachable lenses
- Complete package with carrying case
- iPhone ecosystem leverage
Limitations
- Requires compatible iPhone
- Lower resolution than dedicated devices
- Limited 3DoF tracking
- No standalone capability
- iPhone battery drain
- Basic positional tracking
- Company discontinued
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Reflected iPhone display |
| Resolution | 1334 × 750 total |
| FOV | 60° |
| Power Source | iPhone (passive headset) |
| Controller | Bluetooth LE, 3DoF, touchpad, trigger |
| Weight | <1 lb (<454g) |
| Phone Compatibility | iPhone 4.7"-5.8" screen |
| Optics | Magnetic detachable prism |
| Price | $99 (pre-order), $150 (retail) |