The Ultimate Compact Spatial Computing Solution

This setup is about building a real-world usable XR system using modular components, XR glasses paired with devices like the InAir Pod or XREAL Beam Pro to create an immersive experience similar in concept to the "Apple Vision Pro", but in a way that is:

• Far more portable

• Much less expensive

• Socially usable in public

• Flexible depending on your workflow

Rather than relying on a single all-in-one headset, this approach focuses on combining the best parts of different devices to achieve a balanced experience. 

• XR Glasses Comparison (Real Use Differences) 

XREAL Air (Original / Nreal)

• 1080p per eye

• Lower brightness and smaller field of view

• No onboard processing for stabilization

In practice, these feel like a first-generation experience. They still work, but:

• Dimmer image

• Less immersive

• No true screen locking without software

They rely heavily on apps like Nebula, which is no longer well supported making them less viable today.

XREAL Air 1S (Key Standout)

• ~1200p per eye

• ~52° field of view

• Built-in chip for stabilization and tracking

• Native 2D → 3D conversion

This is where the experience changes significantly.

The onboard chip allows:

• Rock-solid screen locking

• Minimal jitter or tearing

• A display that feels like a real physical monitor in space

Compared to software-based solutions, this is noticeably better. It works consistently across devices like:

• MacBook (even older M2 systems)

• Samsung DeX on phones

For productivity and stability, this is currently the strongest option.

VITURE Luma Ultra

• Similar resolution and field of view

• Multiple cameras for spatial tracking

• Relies on external software (SpaceWalker)

On paper, it should compete directly, but in real use:

• More screen tearing and flicker

• Less smooth tracking

• Frequent crashing (Mac + mobile)

• Audio inconsistencies

Because it depends on software instead of onboard processing, the experience varies by device and often feels unstable compared to XREAL 1S.

Spatial Tracking & 6DoF

• XREAL Air 1S + XREAL Eye:

  • Reliable 6DoF with good lighting

  • Stable tracking due to onboard processing

• VITURE Luma Ultra:

  • Uses multiple cameras

  • Still limited by software performance

Key takeaway:
Hardware-based tracking beats software-based tracking for consistency.

• Setting the Immersive Stage

XREAL Beam Pro

• Built specifically for XREAL ecosystem

• Supports spatial UI and multiple windows

• Can record spatial overlays (useful for demos)

However:

• Performance drops with multiple windows

• Noticeable jitter during video playback

• Limited to ~2 usable windows smoothly

It looks good in theory, but lacks the smoothness needed for real productivity.

InAir Pod (Most Practical Option)

• Works across multiple XR glasses

• More stable overall performance

• Flexible ecosystem support

Limitations:

• Some features not fully implemented on all glasses

• Window system isn’t fully “true spatial” yet on XREAL 1S

Example limitation:

• You can lock a screen in space

• But multiple app windows stay inside that fixed frame instead of spreading across your environment

Despite this, it still delivers the best overall balance today.

Pointer Functionality: The Missing Piece

While neither the XREAL Beam Pro nor the InAir Pod currently offers full hand tracking, both devices do allow you to use them as effective pointer tools. In practice, this means you can navigate and control apps using a virtual cursor, so, in some cases, it actually works even better than hand gestures. You point with the device in front of you, and the cursor moves smoothly on the screen, allowing you to interact with your virtual desktop.

That said, the lack of hand tracking is a real limitation, especially if you’re looking for something like Apple’s Vision Pro, which has advanced hand gestures. Right now, the VITURE Neckband Pro is the only one offering hand tracking, and from what I’ve heard, it’s pretty good though still not on par with the Apple Vision Pro.

Onboard 3D Cameras

Another note: the XREAL Beam Pro, with its onboard 3D cameras, does produce impressive color and contrast 1080p side-by-side recording. But despite claims of 60 frames per second recording, it breaks down. In some parts of the file, you get more like 15 or 20 frames per second, which is a real letdown. Even switching to 30 frames per second, you still see lost frames. So, while it sounds great on paper, the Beam Pro’s hardware just doesn’t always deliver that smooth, consistent frame rate, leaving a bit to be desired.

What Actually Matters (Real Insight)

After testing multiple setups, one thing becomes clear:

Smoothness is more important than features

You can have:

• 6DoF tracking

• Multiple floating windows

• Spatial UI

-but if the experience:

• Jitters

• Tears

• Crashes

-it immediately breaks immersion. That’s where the XREAL Air 1S stands out—it consistently delivers a stable visual experience, which is more important than having every feature. 

• Real-World Use Cases

This setup is not just for experimenting, it’s actually usable day-to-day:

Portable Workstation

• Samsung DeX = full desktop environment

• Phone screen becomes trackpad

• Add a foldable Bluetooth keyboard for complete system

Coffee Shop / Travel Setup

• No bulky laptop required

• Fits in a small bag

• Easy to set up anywhere

Content Consumption

• Large virtual screen anywhere

• Built-in 2D → 3D conversion (XREAL 1S)

• Works well for video, browsing, and media

Cost vs Value

Typical setup:

• XREAL Air 1S

• InAir Pod

Approximate cost:

• ~$1,000 USD

• ~$1,300 CAD

Compared to:

• Apple Vision Pro: $3,000–$4,000+

You’re getting:

• A similar concept of spatial computing

• At a fraction of the cost

• In a far more portable form

How Close Is It to Apple Vision Pro?

Similarities:

• Floating UI in space

• Layered windows

• Immersive content viewing

• Optional 3D experiences

Differences:

• Smaller field of view

• No full passthrough immersion

• Less advanced interaction (no eye tracking, limited hand tracking)

Advantages:

• Lightweight and discreet

• Usable in public

• Modular and flexible

• Significantly cheaper

Final Recommendation

Best Overall Setup (Right Now):

• XREAL Air 1S

• InAir Pod

Why:

• Most stable experience

• Best balance of features and usability

• Works across multiple scenarios

Final Takeaway

If your goal is:

• A compact, immersive XR experience

• That you can actually use daily

• Without spending thousands

• And without wearing a full headset in public

This modular approach delivers one of the most practical and realistic alternatives available right now. While it may not surpass high-end headsets in every technical measure, it excels in real-world usability, portability, and affordability, giving you a believable XR workspace wherever you go.

View the DJI NEO App and Goggles on your Meta Quest Headset Over WiFi

I was trying to figure out a way to share my DJI NEO Goggles 3 video feed to a secondary set of DJI Goggles (Goggles Integra) I had, but typical DJI this seems to not be possible with the equipment I am using. So I thought what if I can share my DJI Goggles 3 video feed over WiFi to the DJI Fly App loaded on my Meta Quest Headset?.

The Meta Quest Headset is Android based so you can install the DJI Fly App in a bit of a roundabout way by downloading the APK file from an APK website. It was worth a shot and it worked! You have to do the usually DJI voodoo dance to make the WiFi sharing happen but once you got that taken care of you can stream the DJI NEO Video form the DJI Goggles 3 to the DJI Fly App running on your Meta Quest Headset. And the latency is actual not bad at all, I would not want to fly this way but for a secondary person watching it is more than good enough.

I also discovered that you have the option of connecting directly to the DJI NEO using the DJI Fly App running on your Meta Quest and instead of using your fingers you simply use the Meta Quest hand controllers. You can be outside with pass through enabled on your Meta Quest Headset and fly around with a huge DJI Fly App window floating in front of you.

I am not sure how practical using the Meta Quest Headset as your virtual screen is but it is super geeky!

Working in VR with the Meta Quest 3

Want to live in the future right now? Well at least the cool neat part of what the future holds... I'm not so sure about the general direction we are headed but when it comes to tech and computer advancements there is a lot of amazing stuff we are going to be able to do or can even do right now.

In this quick example video I show you how I am working these days using a Virtual Reality setup by taking advantage of what the Meta Quest 3 VR Headset can do using a piece of software called Immersed that simulates multiple computer monitors in Virtual Reality allowing me to use my MacBook Air without a physical external monitor and giving me up to 4 more virtual monitors which is something imposable for my MacBook to do in real life.

I have the choice of working in a Virtual Office space or be in my physical room using something called pass through that allows me by means of dual cameras on the Meta Quest 3 VR Glasses to use a mixed reality where I can see my actual office with Virtual Reality Monitors added in. It is hard to explain how good this all works and the video I show you is not even close to the real world Experience I get first hand.

I can also work in Virtual Reality alone or in a public space so I can feel like I am work along side others or by myself depending on how I want to work. You can communicate with other people in these public settings or decide to be in a private mode if you would rather have privacy and perhaps work a bit more productively.

Right now I am actually working in VR writing this article in my actual office using the pass through feature and the experience is amazing. There is a bit of a learning curve and you need to figure out a slightly different workflow, but for me it is 100% worth it as now I can take my office and 4 monitor setup anywhere I go as long as I have my MacBook and Meta Quest VR Headset.