Google Unveils Augmented Reality Glasses

7th April, 2012

Google unveiled on Wednesday last week a concept that has been rumoured for quite a time now called "Project Glass". This new technology functions like a smartphone, only in the form of a wearable device that looks like eyeglasses.

As was shown in the concept video released on YouTube, the see-through lens will be capable of displaying everything from text messages to maps to reminders. It may also be capable of showing video chats, providing detailed directions, taking photos and recording notes through voice commands.

Project Glass is a long way from completion and Google says it only showed the device to the public in an effort to collect feedback. The project has been under development by a small team of engineers for two years now.

Built in Google's Google X laboratory, the same techno-forward research facility that is also developing the Driverless Car and a "space elevator", the glasses are still on its development stage.

Google did not say as to when the device would hit the stores or how much it could cost but Google X engineers are starting to test prototypes beyond the limits of the laboratory's walls.

The exact form and experience is still in the early stages of designing, but the company has procured a concept design easily taken from a sci-fi movie. Although it could possibly base on the structure of eyeglasses, it does not quite look like it.

The programming seems to be a lot more dexterous and neater than the hardware, with user-friendly icons and modest notifications. However, Google's concept video depicted possibly the most forlorn imagery of the future.

It has already faced criticisms from people, as well as a number of spoof videos featuring people being bombarded with adds as they walk and crashing into things, as well as a popular 'microsoft' version of the video.

Source: Social Barrel