Terminator
glasses
We
detailed
the first information about the Google [x] Glasses project in December.
They are in late prototype stages of wearable glasses that look similar to
thick-rimmed glasses that “normal people” wear. However, these provide a
display with a heads up computer interface. There are a few buttons on the arms
of the glasses, but otherwise, they could be mistaken for normal glasses.
Additionally, we are not sure of the technology being employed here, but it is
likely a transparent LCD or AMOLED display such as the one demonstrated
below:
In addition, we have heard that this device is
not an “Android peripheral” as the NYT stated. According to our
source, it communicates directly with the Cloud over IP. Although, the “Google
Goggles” could use a phone’s Internet connection, through Wi-Fi or a low power
Bluetooth 4.0.
The use-case is augmented reality that would tie into Google’s location
services. A user can walk around with information popping up and into display
-Terminator-style- based on preferences, location and Google’s information.
Therefore, these things likely connect to the Internet and have GPS. They
also likely run a version of Android.
Since then, we have learned much more regarding Google’s glasses…
Our tipster has now seen a prototype and said it looks something like
Oakley Thumps (below). These
glasses, we heard, have a front-facing camera used to gather information and
could aid in augmented reality apps. It will also take pictures. The spied
prototype has a flash —perhaps for help at night, or maybe it is just a way to
take better photos. The camera is extremely small and likely only a few
megapixels.
Our tipster has now seen a prototype and said it looks something like
Oakley Thumps (below). These
glasses, we heard, have a front-facing camera used to gather information and
could aid in augmented reality apps. It will also take pictures. The spied
prototype has a flash —perhaps for help at night, or maybe it is just a way to
take better photos. The camera is extremely small and likely only a few
megapixels.
(Oakleys)
The heads up display (HUD) is only for one eye and on the side. It is not
transparent nor does it have dual 3D configurations, as previously
speculated.
One really cool bit: The navigation system currently used is a head
tilting-to scroll and click. We are told it is very quick to learn and once the
user is adept at navigation, it becomes second nature and almost
indistinguishable to outside users.
(As an aside, I built a
head mouse as a Masters Thesis project a few years back that used head tilts
to navigate and control menus. I am ready to collect
royalties!)
I/O on the glasses will also include voice input and output, and we are told
the CPU/RAM/storage hardware is near the equivalent of a generation-old Android
smartphone. As a guess, we would speculate something like 1GHz ARM A8, 256MB RAM
and 8GB of storage? In any case, it will also function as a smartphone.
Perhaps most interesting is that Google is currently deciding on how it wants
to release these glasses, even though the product is still a very long way from
being finished. It is currently a secret with only a few geeky types knowing
about it, and Google is apparently unsure if it will have mass-market appeal.
Therefore, the company is considering making this a pilot program, somewhat like
the Cr-48 Chromebooks last year.
Yes, Google might actually release this product as beta-pilot program to
people outside of Google—and soon.
FYI Motorola’s got something cool in this area brewing as well (thanks
commenter!).