The Glass project was started about three years ago by an engineer named Babak Parviz as part of Google’s X Lab initiative, the lab also responsible for — amongst other things — self-driving cars and neural networks. Unlike those epic, sci-fi R&D projects at Google, Glass is getting real much sooner than anyone expected.
What is Google’s Project Glass?
Google Glass is the attempt to make wearable computing mainstream, and it’s effectively a smart pair of glasses with an integrated heads-up display and a battery hidden inside the frame. Wearable computing is not a new idea, but Google’s enormous bank account and can-do attitude means that Project Glass could well be the first product to do significant numbers.
When will it be released?
Regular people will be able to purchase Google Glass eyewear by the end of 2013 for less than $1,500. Google originally targeted 2014 for a consumer release when it revealed Project Glass last year, but the time frame has seemingly sped up in recent months, what with developerhackathons in San Francisco and New York and this week’s announcement that people looking to put Glass to creative use could go through an application process to preorder the augmented reality specs for $1,500.
How does Project Glass work?
According to well-informed Google blogger Seth Weintraub, Google’s Project Glass glasses will probably use a transparent LCD or AMOLED display to put information in front of your eyeballs. It’s location-aware thanks to a camera and GPS, and you can scroll and click on information by tilting your head, something that is apparently quite easy to master. Google Glasses will also use voice input and output.
What are the Google Glass specifications?
The New York Times says that the glasses will run Android, will include a small screen in front of your eye and will have motion sensors. The device is designed to be a stand-alone device rather than an Android phone peripheral: We have also been able to confirm that Glass will be able to connect via Bluetooth to both Android phones and the iPhone. Glass can pull down data from wifi or use the 3G or 4G feed from a connected phone but it won’t have its own cellular radio. There is also a front-facing camera and flash.
What you will be able to do with Google Glasses
The idea is to deliver augmented reality, with information that’s directly relevant to your surroundings appearing in front of you whenever you need it. For example, your glasses might tell you where the nearest decent restaurant is, you could take pictures with it, record videos with it, it could also provide work-related information when you’re at your desk.
Click here to see some of the things you can use Google Glasses for
I already wear glasses. Will Google Glasses work for me?
Yes. Google is experimenting with designs that will fit over existing glasses so you don’t have to wear two lots of specs.
