Now for the matchup you've all been waiting for:

POD VS Neckband Pro Round 1!

Time to rumble!

The form factor:

In this corner the POD with its puck-shaped air mouse. It contains a full Android computer with a custom OS version onboard. It can connect to a glasses display or "cast" to a smart TV or other smart device.

It has a touchscreen near the top for control and commands. It also has two buttons on the side for controlling volume or if you need to hard factory reset the device. The POD also has one USB-C port.

The POD has 128 GB of storage paired with 8 GB of RAM.

In the other corner is the Neckband Pro which is also an Android-based computer, with "Spacewalker" mode. Spacewalker mode gives you a 3D interface. It is worn around the neck and also folds up. While part of it feels premium, part of it feels plasticky, especially around the buttons.

It has four buttons on the left (power, vol +/-, and setting/side view). The right side contains a fan (that blows inward on your neck, or beard in my case). On the right side is also a USB-C port, and a camera. In the middle of the right arm is a small cord with a proprietary pogo magnetic connector. While this would normally be a downside, it comes with an adapter in the box.

On paper, it would seem that the Neckband Pro would be the clear winner with its higher RAM and storage, and that wonderful extra USB-C for charging or extra storage. However, the POD is more polished.

It feels great in the hand. The touchscreen is immaculate, and the fact that you can do commands makes it feel like a piece of equipment more so than a tech toy.

WINNER: Split decision. Both have their advantages, TIE

Battery Life:

This category has a clear winner. We performed several tests, and they all came out the same:

Video loop test: POD YouTube test: POD Retro Gaming Test: POD Streaming Test: POD OS in 3D form: will not even activate with the Beast on the Neckband. Had to use workarounds, including a secret menu on the POD, so I'm going to mark this one: Null Standby, glasses unplugged: POD

WINNER: Unanimous decision. POD

Ease of Use:

The Neckband Pro comes with one great feature straight put. It runs straight Android and the 3D "Spacewalker." As stated earlier, the Beast is not yet compatible with Spacewalker, so it's running a base version of Android. Everything behaves as it should, except hand gestures, which do not work at all. This may be better in Spacewalker mode. One may never know or at least not until it gets updated.

To get full use of the Neckband Pro, you will need to connect a mouse via Bluetooth or use the app on your phone (more on apps shortly). But you will need a mouse in order to use most Android features, as it is hard to select and move stuff using the app. For that, a mouse is a must.

The POD comes put swinging on its own. It has a custom version of Android known as INAIR OS. I have to use workarounds to get it to even boot. I have to allow it to fully boot, then toggle 3D on and off just to get into the system.

To get into the system with 3D, you have to toggle to 3D, navigate to Settings, click on your account at the top left, then click on the right, under where it says logout, click 15-20 times. A secret menu will pop up, and finally, click the 2D to 3D on the screen. Tedious? A little. Worth it? Yes.

The INAIR OS is highly polished and works well. There are issues, yes, you can't change the home page shortcuts yet, and some features like dark mode are missing.

However, the system is a lot more optimized and runs faster and every app I tried worked with the exception of youtube vanced. I can have three windows at once (5 later, The Beast is still in development). The fact you can view anything in 3d is a major plus, it can literally turn anything 3d thru Ai. This POD has so many features it's insane.

There are tons of features that are still being worked on and INAIR is active on reddit and their discord, taking suggestions and helping users.

While Viture has great customer service, I have never experienced the level of customer service I have for Chloe and the INAIR Team. They have been absolutely amazing. I couldn't ask for better support.

WINNER: By count out, POD

WINNER of this round goes to the POD, but I can't declare it the overall winner yet. Both have features in development for the Beast combos. So far the POD has come out of the corner with fists blazing and not looking back. Stay tuned to see who comes out the clear winner. This is an exciting one.

View the original article POD VS Neckband Pro