Could the Rokid Station be the ideal accessory for augmented reality glasses? In this hands-on review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about this powerful device. But first, let’s explore why devices like the Rokid Station are attracting so much attention in the XR world.
You’ve probably noticed that Augmented Reality (AR) specs are a big deal in 2024. Not only have we seen various new and upcoming releases this year from well-known vendors like Viture and Rokid, but companies like Meta are also getting in on the act.
Lightweight, versatile glasses undoubtedly offer many benefits to consumers and business users, and some analysts predict that sales of these glasses will soon surpass those of VR headsets.
There’s just one problem: most smart glasses need to be connected to something, like your laptop or smartphone. This obviously creates some problems from an ergonomic perspective and also means you’ll use up your device’s battery life pretty quickly.
This is where the Rokid Station comes into play.
Rokid Station review: Short verdict
If you want to quickly find out if the Rokid Station is worth buying, I would say yes. If you buy a Rokid Max glasses for augmented reality experiences, the Rokid Station will improve your user experience and give you a longer battery life.
Advantages:
- Slim and lightweight build quality
- Excellent and user-friendly performance
- Long battery life
- Convenient wireless casting
- Affordable prices
Disadvantages:
- Screen positioning restrictions
- Can only be used with the Rokid Max glasses
What is Rokid Station?
The Rokid Station is a lightweight Android device that connects to the Rokid Max smart glasses, giving you convenient access to smart streaming features on the go.
It eliminates the need to connect your glasses to a smartphone, giving you an all-in-one controller and simplified computing system. In many ways, it’s similar to the XReal Beam, a device I’ve reviewed before that offers the same functionality as the XReal Air glasses.
Like the Beam, the Rokid Station offers users an easy way to download apps and access content on their smart specs without using a separate device (and draining its battery).
The success was so great that Rokid even developed a new “Station 2” with a touchscreen and improved functionality for its upcoming Rokid AR Lite kit.
The specifications and prices
The Rokid Station is currently available for $199. Alternatively, consumers can purchase the station as part of a bundle with the Rokid Max smart glasses for around $599 (the Rokid AR Joy bundle). These prices could be reduced when Rokid launches its AR Lite kit.
Here is a quick look at the specifications:
- 120Hz refresh rate (with the Rokid Max)
- 5000 mAh battery (5 hours battery life)
- 7 days standby battery life
- 50 degree field of view
- Up to 600 nits perceived brightness
- Android operating system
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Micro HDMI connectivity
- 65-bit 4-core ARM CPU
- 32GB storage
Rokid Station review: The design
The Rokid Station doesn’t look like much at first glance. It looks like a lightweight remote control; you can connect it to your smart glasses, and that’s basically what it is. Compared to the Station 2, which hasn’t been released yet, I think it’s a bit dated.
There is no “screen,” but you do get a touchpad that you can use to navigate through apps and content when you’re wearing your AR glasses. There are also some buttons that let you “go back” to another page or load the menu. What I like about this device is that it’s very portable. Although it’s a bit bulkier than a smartphone, it still fits easily in my pocket.
Most importantly, the device is very user-friendly. I had no trouble adjusting the volume on my Rokid Max glasses with the side buttons or switching between apps with the quick buttons. There’s also a handy battery indicator built in so you can tell when the battery is running low.
The functionality and performance
It’s worth noting that the Rokid Station is just an accessory. It can’t do much on its own, but it’s a fantastic bonus tool if you invest in a pair of Rokid smart glasses. Ultimately, this handy little device eliminates the need to depend on your smartphone or laptop to access AR content.
All you need to do is connect the device to your smart glasses using the included mini HDMI cable and turn it on. From there, you’ll be greeted with a familiar Android interface that lets you access the Google Play Store and download apps for use on your glasses.
Ultimately, most of the apps you access with this device are entertainment-focused, but Rokid emphasizes that the app also lets you access various other collaboration tools, communication apps, games, and other features. You can even connect your Rokid Max headset and station to a Bluetooth keyboard for efficient work anywhere.
Chromecast is also integrated into the Rokid Station, so you can cast videos from a smartphone or other devices directly to it. However, there are some limitations here. For example, you cannot cast your entire computer screen to your smart glasses via the station. However, you can use the station to start an augmented reality video meeting.
Immersion and user experience
The Rokid Station makes using your AR smart glasses incredibly easy and intuitive. You can easily load your apps, navigate through content, and adjust settings without using a smartphone. However, there are some potential drawbacks.
For example, the level of “immersion” you can achieve with the Rokid Station and the Max AR glasses is somewhat limited. Unlike the XReal Beam and XReal Air combination, there is no standard head tracking feature built in.
However, I think it would be helpful to be able to change the size and position of the image on the screen. XReal and XReal Beam give you a few more positioning options, and head tracking is enabled by default.
Nevertheless, the lack of “image adjustment” options is not a deal-breaker for me, especially considering how good the images from the Rokid Max glasses already are.
Rokid Station: Battery life and charging
One of the most important reasons why the Rokid Station is worth purchasing is that it significantly increases the amount of time you can spend with your AR glasses.
The 5000mAh battery allows you to get up to 5 hours of “playtime” on a single charge with the Rokid Max specs. That’s excellent considering how much of a drain these glasses can put on your smartphone’s battery. Another point worth mentioning is that the Rokid Station can also act as a battery backup for your phone, allowing you to charge other devices via the USB output.
You will need your own USB cable though as it is not included with the station, which is a bit unusual. However, I do like the fact that you can use the station while it is charging, so if you plug it into a power outlet using your USB port, you don’t have to wait for it to fully charge to get back into your AR experiences.
Rokid Station review: The verdict
So is the Rokid Station worth buying? Ultimately, if you buy a Rokid Max goggle, I would recommend you buy this one as well. The Rokid Max goggle is excellent on its own, but the Station makes it much easier to enhance your augmented reality experience.
The station lets you free yourself from annoying smartphone notifications and limited battery life. Plus, overall, it’s not an overly expensive accessory.
Wearables
