Google Glasses

Google have released a teaser video (below) giving us a preview of google glasses technology. The technology has been created by Google Project Glass. 

We get to see scenes through the day of a google glasses wearer. Simple graphics are displayed and the wearer uses voice to interact with the glasses. 

There glasses are seen being used for:

• Communication with friends including video
• Local information
• Memos
• Navigation
• Finding a nearby friend
• Taking a photo and sharing it on g+
• Playing music

Older information below. 

According to the rumors, Google Glasses are thick framed designer-style glasses that run the Android operating system and offer a heads up display on a mini screen in the glasses. 

Google glasses will provide computer access from anywhere. 

Very interesting. If Google glasses become readily available it could progress augmented reality technology very quickly. 

The glasses are being referred to as HUD Google Glasses (or Google Goggles!) where HUD = Heads-up Display. 

A heads-up display is one where a user looks where they would be looking anyway - i.e. head up. 

A heads-up display is usually transparent, like the ones used in aircraft and some automobiles. 

"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"

Source

Hmm, if the google glasses aren't transparent then they won't be able to overlay information over what the user is seeing. (Other than by using a camera and projecting both the view in the room and additional information to the small screen.)

I'm a bit surprised at the lack of a transparent display as wearable glasses with a transparent display have recently been demoed by Lumus and look very neat. (Lumus are selling the optical engine and expecting others to develop the glasses.)

When I'm planning to meet someone I often need to check my email (or texts) for any last minute changes of plan, or just to confirm the location. It's a pain to have to pull out my phone to do this. 

When I'm in a store I often use my phone to check prices. The Google glasses are rumored to have a camera so maybe they'll be able to read barcodes and do a quick online price check to see if there's a better deal available online.

Oh and reading QR codes too. This could make QR codes much more useful. This does start to be like augmented reality where we can access data relevant to our physical location. 

I have no sense of direction. This means it takes a lot of planning when I go anywhere. I don't drive (partly because of my lack of sense of direction.) My smart phone does make it easier for me to navigate, but it's a pain to have to carry it and keep looking at it, especially when I have other stuff to carry and kids' hands to hold. 

I'd love Google glasses to provide me with a GPS for people so I could easily navigate to places. I don't know if they'll have GPS or phone capability initially. 

The NY Times reports that the glasses will cost about the same as a current smart phone. So several hundred dollars, but under a $1000 dollars. This would certainly make the glasses accessible to early adopters and entrepreneurs who might come up with cool ideas for using the glasses. 

"they are expected 'to cost around the price of current smartphones,'”

Source

It's too soon to know what the Google glasses release date will be. But NY Times expects them to be available by the end of 2012. In time to be a very cool gadget gift for Christmas. 

"the glasses will go on sale to the public by the end of the year"

Source

The New York Times has been reporting on Google Glasses and the tech industry press have widely reported the Google goggles. 

The technology sounds plausible for Google to pull off. Google have a history of bringing new consumer technologies to market to push the Android operating system into new areas. 

I don't know. But it's possible.