MikeyT Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-17618495 Google has revealed details of its research into augmented reality glasses. It posted a brief introduction to Project Glass, photos and a concept video at its Google+ social network. The images show a minimalist design with a microphone and partly-transparent video screen that places information over the view from the users' right eye. The product's developers said they wanted feedback on the idea. They did not give any indication about when the device might go on sale or what it would cost. "A group of us... started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment," said a statement from Google X - the firm's experimental lab. "We're sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input." Guided walks The video suggests icons offering 14 different services will be offered to the user when the glasses are first put on, including information about the weather, their location and diary appointments. It appears that several of these services are either triggered by an action taken by the user or the situation they are in. The film shows one user being reminded he has a date that evening when he looks up at a blank wall, and then warns him that there is a 10% chance it will rain when he looks out of the window. The video suggests that the device would involve a GPS chip to help deliver location specific alerts An alert pops up when a friend sends a text asking if he wants to meet up later in the day. When the user dictates a reply a microphone symbol is superimposed over much of his view. Other functions include Google Maps showing a route to the wearer's destination with small arrows keeping him on track, the ability to take a photo of what he is looking at with an option to share it with friends, and a video conference service. The glasses are also shown to allow music and other audio to be heard, although they do not appear to include earphones. Shrink to fit There had been lots of speculation about the project with some reports describing it as an "open secret", but this is the first time Google has confirmed details of what it was working on. The New York Times had previously suggested that the first set of glasses would go on sale before the end of the year for somewhere between $250-$600 (£157-£378) - but experts say that the technology shown in the video may still be some way off being ready for market. Chris Green, principal technology analyst at Davies Murphy Group Europe, told the BBC that other tech firms such as Brother had attempted to pioneer the concept - but became unstuck because their versions had required users to carry separate processing and battery equipment that plugged into their glasses. "There are huge opportunities for tailored advertising with augmented reality systems - especially if they have in-built GPS location tracking," he said. "The monetisation opportunities would be enormous - but there are still big issues involved with shrinking the technology and making the computer that receives and processes the data truly portable." Google suggests the glasses could help users find where products are located in shops Rival eyewear Google may have competition if it works out how to shrink the electronics involved. In 2008, Apple patented a laser-based "head mounted display system" that it suggested could stream video from its iPod among other features. More recently, Patent Bolt revealed that Sony and Microsoft have patented ideas to createminiature displays to go over users' eyes. They were described as being suitable for "gaming and beyond". Google has previously revealed details of futuristic concepts years before they are ready for market. The firm announced in 2010 that it had tested a self-driving car on the streets of California - but has not said when it might start selling such vehicles.
Finnegan Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 When this technology is in contacts I'll be interested.
Daggers Posted 5 April 2012 Posted 5 April 2012 I'm starting to de-Google my life. Off-grid is the future.
21st Century Fox Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-18627963 Andrej Kostresevic Just a week before Google I/O, I was walking down the street with my girlfriend and looking for a place to eat. We had four restaurants in a four-block radius, and we checked them out on foot.I had help on my phone and never bothered to look it up because it's this cumbersome experience of reaching into your pocket, grabbing the phone, launching the app, waiting for it to figure out where you are, telling it what restaurants [to research] and then clicking it. So I remembered Glass, and I told my girlfriend: "If I had those glasses, I could have just looked at the restaurant, seen the average Zagat ratings and the average price. So there definitely is a lot of use cases. As awesome as the Android phone was five years ago when I first started using it, it has started feeling too cumbersome. A much better experience would be to look at what I'm interested in and have the information that I want displayed automatically. Mr Kostresevic was the 574th software developer to pre-order Project Glass. Yes that every so cumbersome task of being able to pick a small piece of plastic out of your pocket, touching a picture on a screen, until a fvcking satellite thousands of miles in the sky communicates to it exactly where you are and it then having the ability tell you anything you want to know. What a drag. I really do hate what we've become.
ozleicester Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 When this technology is in contacts I'll be interested. oops... wrong. no need for interest yet.
ozleicester Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 The interesting thing is, if we can now have our Porn directed straight into our eyes, we will all need more glasses. Google are just geniuses.
absolutelegend Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 biggest load of crap i've seen in a while technology for technologies sake
Rincewind Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 What happens if you already wear glasses. I sort of skimmed through and never saw how they fit on.
Jon the Hat Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 I'm starting to de-Google my life. Off-grid is the future. Off grid marks you out. Hide in the masses.
Dr The Singh Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 I'm starting to de-Google my life. Off-grid is the future. IS that another way of saying your comming out of the closet soon
Haydos Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk...nology-18627963 Andrej Kostresevic Yes that every so cumbersome task of being able to pick a small piece of plastic out of your pocket, touching a picture on a screen, until a fvcking satellite thousands of miles in the sky communicates to it exactly where you are and it then having the ability tell you anything you want to know. What a drag. I really do hate what we've become. It's funny because now he has to do EXACTLY the same thing but instead of holding a small phone he has to stick some stupid glasses on his face.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 My reality is badly in need of augmenting, I was saying that to the other half only this morning. This wasn't really what I had in mind though. I have just ordered a new 100 piece set of screwdriver and drill bits, that should go a long way to rectifying the situation. A takeaway tonight and we should be about there
Steven Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 My reality is badly in need of augmenting, I was saying that to the other half only this morning. This wasn't really what I had in mind though. I have just ordered a new 100 piece set of screwdriver and drill bits, that should go a long way to rectifying the situation. A takeaway tonight and we should be about there Oh how the other half live.
Daggers Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 IS that another way of saying your comming out of the closet soon You so wish I was in your closet.
Orkneyfox Posted 29 June 2012 Posted 29 June 2012 "They" will use this to analyse what we are thinking about! Now wheres my cooking foil!
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