The good news: Google has started testing those augmented reality glasses we heard about earlier in the year. The bad news: if the artsy shots of the test units are to be believed, they won't make you look like some '80s cinematic anti-hero. In fact, the things wouldn't look too out of place in a New York Times style story. The software giant let it be know that, while it hasn't quite got a sale date on the wearables, it's ready to test ProjectGlass amongst the non-augmented public. The company is also looking for feedback on the project, writing in a post today, "we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input." Want some idea of what ProjectGlass might offer the public? Sure, it's not quite as good as strapping a pair on your own eyes, but interested parties can check out a video of Google's vision after the break.
Google has taken the wraps off its long-rumored augmented reality glasses project, officially dubbed "Project Glass."
A concept video, titled "One day...," shows how Google's glasses might work. In the video, the user performs tasks commonly handled by smartphones, such as scheduling meetings, taking pictures, checking the weather, getting directions, and placing a video call. The information simply hovers in the user's field of view, and the interface is controlled by voice or other inputs.
Google says it is gathering feedback from users on Project Glass, according to a post on Google+ by Babak Parviz, Steve Lee and Sebastian Thrun. The post contains a few "design photos" of people wearing augmented reality glasses. These glasses have a small second screen--presumably for the video output--above one of the lenses, with an extra thick arm that extends back to the ear.
"We’re sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input," they wrote. "So we took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do."
This is the first time Google has publicly acknowledged its augmented reality glasses project. In February, the New York Times reported that Google was planning to release the glasses later this year, in a price range of $250 to $500. The glasses reportedly emerged from "Google X," a secret lab where the company experiments with futuristic projects. In the Google+ post, the lab is referred to as "Google[x]."
Although the Google+ post frames the video and photos as designs of what the technology "might" do, the New York Times reports that Google will be testing prototypes in the coming months. It's unclear whether a product launch is still on track for the end of the year, as previously reported.
And people thought Google had access to information about your interests, wants and needs before. Imagine how much information they'll be able to mine from all the unconscious acts you perform every day like lingering on a billboard, etc.
Cool factor is up there, scary factor is even higher.
Given the costs associated with developing something like this, the amount of revenue they've got to be able to make from its subsequent use would have to be huge.
Apr-04-2012 17:58
Dior Homme
Hedi Slimane
Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Paris
Just wait until ads start popping up in your face.
Oh btw, what a co-incidence total recall is coming this year.
twoooooo weeeeeeeks
Apr-04-2012 18:28
WittyHandle
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jun 2008
Location:
Best comment on top:
I am looking for Sarah Connor.
Apr-04-2012 18:43
jad
_.spark._
Registered: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto
quote:
Originally posted by mahalliner
Cool factor is up there, scary factor is even higher.
True say. On the bright side, it would probably open up doors for cell phone companies to develop a hands free set with a similar design. The general public might be a little less skeptical about that.
quote:
Originally posted by WittyHandle
Best comment on top:
Other great comment: 305 view 26,787 likes.... Makes sense
Apr-05-2012 06:53
haqq
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Jul 2007
Location: High in the sky
watching porn walking to work, ftw.
Apr-05-2012 19:34
Dior Homme
Hedi Slimane
Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Paris
Based on playing FPS in high school and also maybe snowboarding, if this were to happen the closeness of the lens and the density of the screen would have to be really high and incredibly sharp for images to show up and not be blurry in front of your eyes. Imagine using your monitor half an inch to your face.
It may seem like a cool idea... when you view it viewing through a screen (double optical where everything is flat and in focus and not in reality).
Apr-05-2012 21:28
Dior Homme
Hedi Slimane
Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Paris
quote:
Originally posted by haqq
watching porn walking to work, ftw.
Stay away from this kid on the subway.
Apr-05-2012 21:28
kotsy
Avatar Superstar
Registered: Jul 2006
Location: Underground
I can't believe I'm saying this but technology needs to slow down
Also wanted to point out the brilliant early marketing of this thing to hipsters, the 'creative class', and alpha consumers. They're the ones who make or break a new product release. Though really, I think this thing will sell itself.