[Zaptruder]

I would say get the API into the hands of the development community ASAP. People who are early enthusiasts will put up with bad aesthetics or clunky designs, but the wider community will not embrace it no matter how good the software is until the actual physical product is appealing, and it will be a while until that happens. Until then there is absolutely no reason not to market it to commercial firms first, since their workers will wear what they are told to wear. Even if you think about it, smartphones showed up in the business community with PDAs and Blackberry's way before we had an iPhone. It seems the most logical platform to launch it from because it will have immediate impact in those fields.

Maybe - but it's not like Google Glasses will be the first such instance of such a technology. If commercial firms wanted this kind of product, they already have access to the stuff.

Like the Carl Zeiss cinemizer. There's a version with head tracking and a spiffy architectural visualization software that's been marketed to architects and builders (allowing people to pre-viz in spatial terms the building that's been designed).

Having said all that... I don't see how what they're doing here precludes it from been used by commercial firms. I imagine the same firms that got excited over PDAs and blackberries will find these things useful too.

Another part of it is I think a case of object recognition not been quite upto snuff yet - at least not for the real time needs of highlighting and colouring parts of the body for surgical augmentation needs, or even cabling maps for an aircraft manufacturer worker.

[Gazzawa]

Would buy if worked.

[Cipherr]

Most exciting part of that for me strangely is the display of Googles in-door mapping.

They already have it for airports and stuff, but I really love that they are developing that. Get directions somewhere, arrive, step into the place, and a new map shows the layout of the location you are in, that is fucking awesome.

Would buy if worked.

Practical use of this is so far off. Its an idea, and while they may get it working in a rudimentary form in the next few years, its probably well over a decade and a half away from the refinement it would need to actual be used. The good thing though, is that they are going in that direction. Positive things will emerge from the advancement of it. Everything starts somewhere.

[Jangocube]

Very cool, but it had to be a hipster, it just had to be!

[Bowdz]

Very cool, but it had to be a hipster, it just had to be!

Had to be. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.

[Divvy]

Had to be. Someone else might have gotten it wrong.

:(

[Good Job Bob]

Very cool, but it had to be a hipster, it just had to be!

This word gets so overused.

[Swag]

Damn those are pretty cool

[Zaptruder]

Practical use of this is so far off. Its an idea, and while they may get it working in a rudimentary form in the next few years, its probably well over a decade and a half away from the refinement it would need to actual be used. The good thing though, is that they are going in that direction. Positive things will emerge from the advancement of it. Everything starts somewhere.

I don't think it's that far off.

Just that the tech will be kinda crappy for the first couple years.

But the important point about it is - it's been backed by a company with the resources to do so - and it'll get other large CE companies interested in the results and outcomes of the tech as well.

Basically, this stuff has been bubbling in the flat initial part of the S curve for so long... that it really needs a push like this from a company like Google to help it get up the more inclined part of the S curve.

And of course, adoption and interest will rise as the technology improves, and as more applications are developed to take advantage of its unique form factor.

[Alx]

The video makes it seem like eye tracking will be a part of this? I wonder where they'll put the sensors for that.

I don't know if it would fit in the Google glasses design, but there are already different models of oculometers in the shape of glasses with a small camera aimed at the eyes :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmwk4...layer_embedded

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

Maybe - but it's not like Google Glasses will be the first such instance of such a technology. If commercial firms wanted this kind of product, they already have access to the stuff. Like the Carl Zeiss cinemizer. There's a version with head tracking and a spiffy architectural visualization software that's been marketed to architects and builders (allowing people to pre-viz in spatial terms the building that's been designed). Having said all that... I don't see how what they're doing here precludes it from been used by commercial firms. I imagine the same firms that got excited over PDAs and blackberries will find these things useful too. Another part of it is I think a case of object recognition not been quite upto snuff yet - at least not for the real time needs of highlighting and colouring parts of the body for surgical augmentation needs, or even cabling maps for an aircraft manufacturer worker.

I should correct myself a bit. It's not that I think that they need to actively market to that sector too much, I just think that sector is going to be the first with real growth and will probably be a good candidate for accommodating.

Object recognition is making pretty damn good strides, but you are right it needs some more time in the oven. Still, I use some pretty impressive object recognition software in C4ISR settings at work, and there are a ton of things it can do that would still be useful.

[DoctorWho]

I hate to say it guys. And I know I'm going to be that guy.

But this is something Apple is going to take in a few years and make... better.

Not sure I'm joking either.

Can't wait for all the new Patent suits.

[Andrex]

I don't know if it would fit in the Google glasses design, but there are already different models of oculometers in the shape of glasses with a small camera aimed at the eyes : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmwk4...layer_embedded

Aside from the lump on the left side those would actually be a pretty cool design for these.

Edit- Actually too big, a little goofy looking.

[Swag]

Not sure how I feel having to wear those glasses on my head though, so ugly

In before first iteration

[Zaptruder]

I should correct myself a bit. It's not that I think that they need to actively market to that sector too much, I just think that sector is going to be the first with real growth and will probably be a good candidate for accommodating. Object recognition is making pretty damn good strides, but you are right it needs some more time in the oven. Still, I use some pretty impressive object recognition software in C4ISR settings at work, and there are a ton of things it can do that would still be useful.

I don't doubt it. The tech is just really exciting stuff.

I mean... I can't think of a bigger game changer in computing tech than AR HMDs done right.

That said... I'm excited to get my mitts on even the shitty V1.0s of these things, so at least for me, it's great that they're focusing on the consumer side of things.

[KevinCow]

April fools?

I just don't understand how this could possibly realistically work. Try holding your phone, or any screen, an inch from your eye. See how blurry that shit is? Now imagine trying to read anything on that screen like that. Then imagine trying to read anything on a screen like that when the background is clear and things are moving around.

[Sentry]

Here's what I expect in the far future; this sort of technology will become the mobile of today. Just as the PC has become (or is more and more becoming) a distant hub in comparison to mobile devices, phones, tablets etc, this sort of technology will fill in that space with out tablets/portables becoming the 'hub' devices. It just makes too much sense to see this not coming to fruition within the next ten years.

It's either this sort of thing or completely voice recognition tech, who knows.

April fools? I just don't understand how this could possibly realistically work. Try holding your phone, or any screen, an inch from your eye. See how blurry that shit is? Now imagine trying to read anything on that screen like that. Then imagine trying to read anything on a screen like that when the background is clear and things are moving around.

It's not that simple. It doesn't focus that way so there is no strain on the eye. Hell, doesn't the air force actually project HUD and stats into the pilots retina? This isn't that level, but it isn't akin to your example.

[Divvy]

April fools? I just don't understand how this could possibly realistically work. Try holding your phone, or any screen, an inch from your eye. See how blurry that shit is? Now imagine trying to read anything on that screen like that. Then imagine trying to read anything on a screen like that when the background is clear and things are moving around.

Uhhh, presumably this is the very first barrier they had to overcome. I'm sure they found a way to fix this. I mean the entire product hinges on them getting that working.

[br0ken_shad0w]

Concept video looks pretty bad. I've seen better interfaces made by amateurs. I do like the potential though.



Soon.

[Zaptruder]

I hate to say it guys. And I know I'm going to be that guy. But this is something Apple is going to take in a few years and make... better. Not sure I'm joking either. Can't wait for all the new Patent suits.

I think that's another really good, compelling reason for Google to get started on this before the rest of the big players.

By getting into the game first in an area of technology that has as much potential as AR does, even if the guys after do it better, you have plenty of your own patents to leverage when the legal conflicts do eventually occur.

[Zaptruder]

April fools? I just don't understand how this could possibly realistically work. Try holding your phone, or any screen, an inch from your eye. See how blurry that shit is? Now imagine trying to read anything on that screen like that. Then imagine trying to read anything on a screen like that when the background is clear and things are moving around.

There have been several solutions to this problem.

It appears that they're using (or thinking about using) projection technology... i.e. beam the light onto your retina, or at least bounce it off a polarized lens that causes the light to travel straight and parallel, rather than diffusing, causing the blurriness.

Another solution is to use a big thick lens to bend the light - as per the Sony HMZ-T1s...

Another still is a polarized contact lens...
More details of which can be found here:
http://innovega-inc.com/

Personally, I think these guys have the most compelling solution, in terms of design and field of view - like you could just use transparent OLED + LCD glasses (see Samsung Smart Window on youtube), and have it cover up most to all of your field of view. Which is fantastic for immersion.

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

There have been several solutions to this problem. It appears that they're using (or thinking about using) projection technology... i.e. beam the light onto your retina, or at least bounce it off a polarized lens that causes the light to travel straight and parallel, rather than diffusing, causing the blurriness.

AKA What retina display meant until Apple bastardized it.

[Pie and Beans]

Concept video was fucking terrible. Rather than focus on all the cool augmented reality stuff you could do, its just god damn smartphone icons and maps beamed right into your goddam eyes. No. Have more creative vision than this please, literally.

[KevinCow]

Uhhh, presumably this is the very first barrier they had to overcome. I'm sure they found a way to fix this. I mean the entire product hinges on them getting that working.

Yeah. If this was real, it's something they'd have to overcome. I don't think it's real.

I'd love to be wrong. If someone knows how they could overcome the way light and your eyes work, please enlighten me. But until I see it for myself, I'm going with April fools.

[Zomba13]

the end of that concept video made me gag in cheesyness levels.

I thought for a second it'd take a dark turn. The guy would share his view with the girl and then jump off the building...

[acksman]

Don't know why but the below comes to mind when I see these. Someone eyes go cross eyed and its back to the streets with a ashtray, remote control, paddle game, and a magazine. Oh yeah and a chair.

[Krowley]

The first versions of this will probably tie into your phone somehow for an interface since voice recognition tech is so unreliable. Maybe some app you download will control the function of your glasses.

[Zaptruder]

Yeah. If this was real, it's something they'd have to overcome. I don't think it's real. I'd love to be wrong. If someone knows how they could overcome the way light and your eyes work, please enlighten me. But until I see it for myself, I'm going with April fools.

I'd stab you if I could.

mumbles something about been ignored completely.

[Kinitari]

So many cynics and google haters!

I'm super duper looking forward to this, if not for it's quality, for the implications of this move. I would wear this no problem, no matter how dorky I look - strong integration with my tablet or phone would be awesome too.

Remember, this is a barebones concept video - not a tech demo. So What it looks like in that will be dramatically different then let's say a year after launch. Constant iteration would be awesome.

Also, going off of Google's track record, development will be pretty open source, so custom UI's and probably gestural controls won't exactly be a crazy thing. Don't like the interface? Download a new launcher. etc etc.

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

The first versions of this will probably tie into your phone somehow for an interface since voice recognition tech is so unreliable. Maybe some app you download will control the function of your glasses.

You would probably be able to pair them with any portable computing device. But you could pretty much use any surface as an interface, and if it has eye tracking you could do text input using that potentially.

[Foxy Fox 39]

I wish I were born 20 years from now. I want a redo!

[Good Job Bob]

I wonder if Apple is planning for something like this.

[Andrex]

Yeah. If this was real, it's something they'd have to overcome. I don't think it's real. I'd love to be wrong. If someone knows how they could overcome the way light and your eyes work, please enlighten me. But until I see it for myself, I'm going with April fools.

This has been a rumored project for Google X for a while, also it's April 4. Not an April Fools joke.

I wonder if Apple is planning for something like this.

They probably are now.

[Htown]

I hate to say it guys. And I know I'm going to be that guy. But this is something Apple is going to take in a few years and make... better. Not sure I'm joking either. Can't wait for all the new Patent suits.

Ugh.

[Stumpokapow]

Can't wait for all the new Patent suits.

I'm not sure there's too much new to patent here; on a software level all the AR/Object Tracking stuff was probably already patented by robotics researchers, all the gesture stuff is being patented as part of gesture-based computer controlling, and on a hardware level you can't patent most of the methods of implementing this tech.

More's the better, though

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

I'm not sure there's too much new to patent here; on a software level all the AR/Object Tracking stuff was probably already patented by robotics researchers, all the gesture stuff is being patented as part of gesture-based computer controlling, and on a hardware level you can't patent most of the methods of implementing this tech. More's the better, though

All of the patents will be on interface stuff I would imagine.

[Snake]

Will buy if it lets me see Goku's power level.

[Divvy]

Will buy if it lets me see Goku's power level.

But you already know what it's over.

[lethial]

Was great until the loser in the scarf and hipster glasses appeared.

[Kinitari]

I'm just starting to get comfortable programming, and this summer I am going to spend time developing stuff for portfolio work/practice - so hopefully by the time this thing hits the dev scene I'll actually know enough of what I am doing, that I can contribute

[Previous]

can sit over a person's normal eyeglasses."

Sold.

but if they make a model with built in prescription lenses that will be beyond awesome. Better yet put photochromic lenses in too.

[Sentry]

I wonder if Apple is planning for something like this.

I doubt it. I think Siri and the cloud is their future. Imagine a tiny iPod huffle type thing you clip on your clothes and can talk to. 'Play xxx song/artist', 'what time is it' etc.

[Digishine]

I have teh money ! Now gimmeh a pair

[Andrex]

Just realized that someone who wears these all their life and has it set to record video will be able to rewatch any point in their life.

Want to see what it was like at your seventh birthday? Your trip to Disney Land? Your honeymoon? It's all there.

It's also a scary thought of course, but if it's secure and private it could be an amazing advancement in augmenting our own memories with digital versions.

[Kinitari]

Have an unattractive partner? Wear these glasses in bed and she'll look like Sarah Palin. $1.99 Nailin Palin App

[Andrex]

Also, no more QR codes possibly. Just look at a URL and it opens the website for you (I doubt the glasses will have a full browser, but if it does it could be there, otherwise on your smartphone like Chrome to Phone.)

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

Have an unattractive partner? Wear these glasses in bed and she'll look like Sarah Palin. $1.99 Nailin Palin App

Set up some cams in the room and watch yourself do it from any angle.

[Jangocube]

This word gets so overused.

Oh come on, a Ukelele?

[Azzurri]

One of these days it will in in a form of contacts.

[Kinitari]

Also, no more QR codes possibly. Just look at a URL and it opens the website for you (I doubt the glasses will have a full browser, but if it does it could be there, otherwise on your smartphone like Chrome to Phone.)

Oh QR codes would be a much bigger deal if these sorts of glasses were mainstream. Taking your phone out and scanning a QR code is still annoying. If your glasses already did it, and immediately converted into an app or something? Or lets say you're in front of a restaurant, and they have a QR code on the door - look at it, and you can immediately see a bajillion reviews, or a menu. Or if it's a retail store - the store stock - etc etc etc. I can think of thousands of applications. Billions even.