Google to make augmented reality glasses

Google's 'Terminator' Glasses Will Contain A Camera And Track Your Location [Silicon Alley Insider]

Google has picked a new market to attempt to revolutionize. This time it's eyewear.

Google's X Lab has been working on augmented reality eyeglasses. Resembling something from Terminator movies, the glasses will have a built-in front-facing camera and a heads up display (HUD) that can overlay information onto the side of one lens of your view. If you're looking at a restaurant, for example, the glasses could overlay information about the restaurant – name, reviews, phone number, etc.

Ever meet someone you have met before but can't quite place them? The glasses could even show information about people, particularly your friends. Obviously, there will be serious privacy implications to this type of technology but hey, that never stopped Google.

Reports suggest that the glasses will also have augmented reality apps, location-based services, and the ability to react to voice commands or even head tilts. Think of it as a smartphone in the shape of sunglasses, and expect the glasses to have a similar price tag to smartphones as well. Reports also suggest that the glasses resemble the Oakley Thumps sunglasses currently on the market.

These glasses are just an experiment for Google right now, being developed at the top secret, offsite Google X venue.  They are not being pursued as a major source of income at this point. However, the New York Times reports that the glasses will be available for purchase by consumers by the end of this year.  It also reports that users will probably appear to be acting very strange while wearing them -- physically reacting to the cyber information they are receiving.

Comments

[Aaron]

Me want!