A couple of Googlers were spotted roaming around the floor at Moscone over the week, but from the photos at hand, it looks like Google only has one type of prescription frame that’s out and about, which looks to be the same frame seen in the image above. It’s not said if Google will make multiple frames available, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they offered several different generic options.

UPDATE: We’ve got a few photos of our own – have a peek at the bits and pieces, courtesy of the lead Industrial Designer for Glass, Isabelle Olsson.

As for how the prescription version works, it seems that the Google Glass hardware itself can’t be removed from the frames, which means they probably won’t be your main pair of glasses, unless you plan on wearing Google Glass all the time, but that will sooner or later be impossible, as there are already many places that you won’t be able to wear Glass.

Secondly, just like the regular frames of Google Glass, prescription frames won’t be able to fold up like a traditional pair of glasses, making it difficult to store them somewhere conveniently if you need to take them off in certain situations. However, this information is slightly different from what the company said back in March, where the Glass design would be “modular,” meaning that you could attach glass to any (or most) pair of glasses or sunglasses. The “modular” word was also thrown around during a Google I/O session this week.

Then again, you’ll obviously still be able to get custom lenses to fit into prescription Google Glass, so if you don’t happen to like any of the frames that Google will release, you’ll at least be able to get the right lenses fitted into them. Now, if only we could get better-looking detachable sunglasses for Google Glass, it’d be perfect.

Each of these apps will have their own unique twist in order to seamlessly work for Google Glass. For instance, Twitter will allow users to tweet to their account, and every tweet you send through Glass will be automatically tagged with the #throughglass hashtag. You can also receive notifications for mentions, messages, and replies.

As for the Facebook app, it too will feature so Glass-centric abilities, including the ability to take and upload a photo using Glass straight to your Timeline, and even add a description to the photo using Glass’s voice dictation feature. Tumblr will also let you do the same thing, by posting a photo to your blog right through Glass.

Evernote’s Glass app focuses on two main actions that you can perform. You’ll be able to take a photo or video and send it to your Evernote account from Google Glass. You’ll also be able to choose specific notes from your Evernote account and send them directly to Glass, so that you can bring it up on the HUD when needed. A great example of this is a grocery shopping list — no having to fish your phone out of your pocket to see what the grab next off the shelves.

CNN’s app is a little self-explanatory, but it goes a little further than just being able to swipe through headlines. You’ll be able to pick the types of alerts you want, such as sports scores or breaking news at certain times. You can also have articles be read aloud to you, as well as the ability to watch video.

Of course, it’ll be a while before Google Glass will be in the hands of the mainstream public, but it’s nice to know that Google is already building up a repertoire of apps that people will be able to take advantage of right away.

VIA: The New York Times

Caesars Palace says that they won’t allow anyone gambling to use Google Glass, but it seems that casino officials will let you at least wear it when simply wondering around, as long as you’re not recording — casinos usually frown on taking pictures or video, even if you’re not gambling. Casinos see recording devices as a means to get an unfair advantage at the tables.

Recently, within the last few months, establishments have been popping up saying that they will not allow Google Glass inside their facilities, including a bar in Seattle, as well as movie theaters and other places where taking photos and recording videos is already prohibited. Lawmakers are even wanting to ban Google Glass while driving, saying that the spectacles can be a distraction while behind the wheel.

Of course, this isn’t surprising by any means. Many luddites believe that Google Glass is an invasion of privacy, allowing Glass users to secretly take photos and record video, but in a world where it’s increasingly more difficult to keep your privacy while out in public, is this really anything new? Does Google Glass offer anything that we haven’t already seen in surveillance equipment and such?

[via Computerworld]

This means that users won’t necessarily have to have an Android device in order to use Google Glass, and it’s possible that they’ll soon be able to function without needing the My Glass companion app. We already know that iOS doesn’t take Google Glass lightly, and while the pair of glasses will at least work with the iPhone, users can’t get turn-by-turn directions or use text messaging.

However, that’s expected to change, most likely with the retail version of Google Glass, where it’ll act independently instead of relying on your smartphone for a lot of its functions. Currently, Google Glass uses your Android smartphone’s GPS and data connections to get many of the features working.

Taking into account what the Google representative said, it seems Google Glass will soon be fully functional on its own, and while you’ll still be able to pair it with your smartphone, it shouldn’t matter what smartphone you’re using. However, it’s possible that a companion app will always exist on Android that will give Android users a bit of an advantage over iPhone users, but we’ll see.

[via TechCrunch]

Like Reddit’s existence on each other mobile and desktop platform its represented on, this app home will likely be one of many for Google Glass. Reddit does not have any truly official apps on any platform at the moment, relying instead of miniaturized versions of itself within the webpage in a web browser to tend to those without love for the numerous third party apps on the market. As a technology-friendly population of users makes up the bulk of Reddit, apps developed by the environment itself appear to have come naturally.

Nguyen’s app Reddit Timeline is a rather rudimentary portal into Reddit through Google Glass in which the top 25 stories posted to Reddit are shown in brief. The user is is able to see these posts in text form and with image previews, not including videos at the moment but pushing for comments and up or downvotes on the whole.

NOTE: For clarification – this isn’t the first 3rd party app developed for Glass. Instead the title is meant to imply that it is the first 3rd party Reddit app developed for Glass – no worries!

This app also allows you to have comments read aloud via Glass and is certainly not something you’re going to want to download if you ever plan on taking Glass off your head again. As Google Glass is said at the moment to only be able to stay powered up for 3.5 hours on average, we’ll have to stay close to a wall charger for the time being. Watch out for not safe for your work environment posts right up in your eyeball!

[via Mashable]

In the video, the main emphasis is on Google Glass’s touch pad. There you can swipe left to see future events, such as lunch dates, flights, weather, and more. Swiping right will let you see past events, like your friend’s status updates and picture uploads. By tapping on the touch pad, you can view more information on a card. You can swipe down to return to your timeline. To share photos, just scroll to a photo and tap your touch pad. Your friends list will then pop up, where you can navigate and choose which friend to share your photo with.

Recently, the specs for Google Glass were revealed. It appears to be running a dual-core OMAP 4430 CPU, contain 1GB of RAM (with only around 682MB available to users), and run Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. Other leaked specs suggest that the device will also have 16GB of built-in storage and a 5MP camera capable of recording 720p HD videos. The specs resemble that of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

More news regarding Google Glass will be released in the coming weeks before the Google I/O event being held from May 15th to May 17th. There Google will talk up developers and show off even more features for Glass. Consumers will have to wait a little less than a year before they can purchase Google Glass, but on the bright side, by then there should be a huge list of apps available for the device thanks to developers. Be sure to check in with SlashGear May 15th – May 17th, where we’ll be covering Google I/O live.

As Eric Mizufuka explained this week, the Moverio BT-100 is “a wearable display – smartglasses – with a shade that’s removable.” What you’re seeing with these glasses is an image that can get as large as an 80-inch display depending on what you’re using them for, and they’re able to work with apps such as the one presenting 3D device augmented reality training that Scope AR is showing off this year.

At it’s base, this device is powered by an Android control unit – it’s able to run and launch Android apps just like a smartphone would, so to speak. This product in its current form was launched over a year ago, and according to Mizufuka, the unit was and is “seen originally as more of a developer platform so developers could take the lead on creating apps that would eventually shape the device.”

Epson’s Moverio BT-100 glasses are not yet consumer market ready – they’re not yet in a place where they’re meant for the consumer market, instead concentrating on developer efforts to create “that one killer app” to start the machine that is the succssful launch of the platform.

As for how they fit into the augmented reality or “smart” glasses universe thats coming to light here in 2013, Mizufuka suggests that there’s a four-point set of categories that each unit in this new market fall into, each pair of said glasses working with two.

Binocular / Monocular
Transparent / Non-Transparent

While the Epson Moverio BT-100 unit falls into the binocular and transparent category, Occulus Rift is a binocular, non-tranparent device. Google Glass, on the other hand, is a monocular tranparent device.

Epson’s product makes its way in the market with features that are, as Mizufuka suggests, rather unique. “[Moverio BT-100] is unique in that you can see 3D, and unique in that it’s in the center of your field of view so you can overlay 3D images over real objects.” This is what the company calls Real Augmented Reality.

Mizufuka let SlashGear know that they’d be creating the final consumer units as a product that people will want to use, one that they intend to be able to be worn by everyone. “Glass is a beautiful product and it’s miniturized very well, but you still have some consumer kickback saying it’s too geeky.”

CEO and lead developer of Scope Technologies Scott Montgomerie let us know that as soon as they discovered Epson’s augmented reality glasses, they knew they had to collaborate. Their need for such a solution for their idea to overlay machine parts in 3D for users training in the industrial market seemed like a perfect fit. “Industrial Augmented Reality for machinery, overlaying 3D images over real machines seemed impracticle at first – until the idea of augmented reality glasses, like Moverio BT-100, came up.”

Mounting a camera on top of the optics they’d already had, they created the device you see demonstrated here:

Montgomerie continued: “Our strategy is in the near term to focus on these verticle market applications. I think the consumer is just getting comfortable now with wearable displays, as soon as we’re able to find that killer app in the market, we’ll be there.” Sound like the right path to take to you? Epson’s Mizufuka let it be known that the final consumer product would be both affordable and made for the mass market – and we’re hoping for more soon!

Hacker Liam McLoughlin and Cydia founder Jay Freeman have both rooted Google Glass, McLoughlin saying that it was “easy” to do, elaborating that the “reboot-bootloader gives you fastboot OEM unlock. There is fun to be had here.” Freeman, on the other hand, also rooted his pair, but left out any details on the process.

McLoughlin says that Google Glass has a “debug mode” option that appears to enable ADB access. This was able to give developers the chance to root the glasses, and it seems we’re now off to the races. It’s still early in the rooting process, so we’re not sure what all the fun things we’ll get to do with Google Glass with a full root, but we’re guessing there will be a lot of cool stuff to come out.

It was particularly interesting to see Freeman tinker around with a pair of Google Glasses, considering his main tasks are involved around iOS. Then again, we could see jailbreak apps make their way into Cydia that will add full compatibility to Google Glass, since the specs won’t come with it by default.

[via 9to5Google]

It’s important to note that Lee wasn’t able to get all the information we wanted, specifically the exact clock speed of the processor and he’s not 100% sure about the glasses having 1GB of RAM, since 682MB of RAM are free, which leads him to believe that the rest is being taken up by the hardware.

To compare, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus runs on the OMAP 4460 CPU, which is just a step up from the Google Glass offering, which says that the pair of glasses are running on last-gen hardware, but they’re still comparable to even some of today’s mid-range devices. And this is the first time we’ve seen this type of hardware squeezed into a glasses format.

Previously, we heard that Google Glass had 16GB of storage built in, as well as a 5MP camera, which we’re guessing could be the same lens that’s in the Galaxy Nexus, but we can’t be certain. We could here official specs at Google I/O coming up in a few weeks, as well as more information on the specs, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled until then.

The former Google CEO said during an interview with BBC that Google Glass for consumers is “probably a year-ish away,” meaning that we won’t see them go on sale to the public until around the spring time of next year. However, Schmidt says that Google will be taking that time to improve on Google Glass, thanks to the many developers who are testing out the new spectacles.

Google Glass was originally to be released to the public at some point later this year, but it seems the company is pushing that timeline back a bit, most likely to allow enough time for early testers to get their say in before Google starts making changes and improvements to the new piece of technology.

Schmidt also addressed the concern over privacy with Google Glass, saying that society will “have to develop some new social etiquette,” noting that “it’s obviously not appropriate to wear these glasses in situations where recording is not correct.” Many places have already banned the use of Google Glass, including a bar in Seattle, and lawmakers are attempting to ban the glasses while driving.

[via DVICE]

It’s noted on a Google Glass support page that the pair of glasses must be connected to an Android device running the MyGlass app in order to send text messages and use GPS. This means that iOS users will be out of luck when it comes to these two features, and there are possibly even more features that may not be supported in iOS.

Google Glasses also requires a handset that runs Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich or higher. Granted, most newer Android devices come with Jelly Bean, and even some older devices are being updated to the newer platform, but for those still rocking an even older handset, you may be out of luck when it comes to getting everything out of Google Glass.

Other features that work on Google Glass, such as making phone calls, video chatting, and composing Google searches will still work with iOS, but GPS functionality and text messaging will be a no go on Apple‘s platform for at least the foreseeable future. It’s always possible that Google will release the MyGlass app for iOS, but it doesn’t look like it’ll arrive anytime soon.

[via LA Times]

First you’re going to see Glass capturing a Go Kart Racer in Burlingame, California – straight from the head of the user. This video is captured from Google Glass’ 5 megapixel camera and delivered at a cool 720p – make sure you turn up the quality of the video with the little gear in the lower right-hand corner of the YouTube rectangle. And don’t get too queasy!

The above video was recorded by Matt Abdou – see more hands-on action now!

Google’s Glass device will be delivered to the full set of over 1000 users in the public this week – while many more devices are out there in the wild, we’re certainly not expecting the full limited edition series to be seeing action in the public. You can find a whole lot more information on the Google Glass initiative in our Google Glass tag portal and through the timeline below.

In addition to this, you’ll find our own hands-on action with Google Glass coming up quick! We’ll be kicking around our own set of Glass units when we’re rolling with them in the coming weeks and months, and we’ll be sure to bring you along with us the whole journey long! Make sure you stick with SlashGear for the long haul!

According to The Financial Times, Google will manufacturer Google Glass in Silicon Valley in California. The search giant will be partnering with Foxconn to assemble the futuristic eyewear at a facility in Santa Clara, California. This is according to several sources familiar with the company’s plans.

If this turns out to be true, it would not only boost the reputation of Google, but it would hopefully encourage other electronics manufacturers to bring business back to the US from countries like China and Taiwan. It’s said that in the coming weeks, only a few thousand Google Glass units will roll off the assembly line.

However, it’s not said exactly how many employees the facility will hire, nor is it said whether or not the employees will consist of current Foxconn workers from China, or if the company will hire all-new staff for the Santa Clara facility. Of course, bringing over current Foxconn workers would completely negate the whole “made in America” initiative, but we don’t think Google would be that naive.

[via The Financial Times]

In the video shown earlier today, we saw a basic showing of how the camera will work, what we’ll see when we want information on the weather around us, and how it’ll feel to share content. Also shown was a nearly instant translation of English into Japanese spoken aloud as well as a glimpse at how Pinterest will be included in the first released build. It was there that we were also reminded that the touch interface on the side of the first Project Glass build will be touch-sensitive.

What you’re seeing above is the second of two filmings of this Google Glass UI demo at SXSW. This demonstration begins with a look at how Gmail will be integrated into the set right out of the box. A new email will, if you want it, be shown in brief complete with a user icon where possible.

You’ll see that the instant dictation feature present in many Google apps today will be a rather important tool in Glass. To reply to an email, you’ll have only to tap the side of your Glass unit once, see the reply button, tap again, and begin speaking. Here you’ll see the presenter saying “Are you kidding I can’t wait :-)” There’s a bit of a hiccup with the word “remind” at the beginning of the sentence, but other than that, dictation appears to be perfect.

Next there’s another sharing bit of action shown, with the presenter showing that once you’ve got a photo taken, you can tap, see that you’re able to share, tap again, and slide back and forth through your options for sharing. Here he shares to Skitch the same as he would to Evernote – in this case he’s shared to an Android device and Skitch brings up the image as soon as his Android device receives the file. This same sort of situation happens with Evernote, but with the big E, you’re saving to a massive archive rather than just sending a file via Bluetooth to your phone.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see additional demonstrations with Glass and see how and when you’ll be getting your own – in general – rather soon!

[via RoadtoVR]

What this first edition works with is a selection of Google-made apps as well as third-party apps that include Gmail, Google search, Google Translate, Evernote, and an app for the New York Times. In the first demonstration video you’ll see the user interface we’ve had our own miniature preview with before being used to translate some English into Japanese on-the-fly.

The first video also shows Glass taking a photo (a picture, as the speaker commands), and you’ll see how you’ll be sharing photos you’ve taken as well. Though you’re only seeing the user interface on a large screen and not the device itself, you’ll understand that the speaker is touching the side panel of the Glass hardware as it is fully touch-sensitive. When you want to share a photo, you’ve only to pull in from the left (or right) after you’ve taken a photo in the photo app, tap once, and there will be the option to Share.

At the moment, Glass is only being shown sharing to Google+, which makes sense since it is a Google-heavy device. We’re expecting the ability to share anywhere on the web in the future – and perhaps to and from your smartphone or other Glass units as well. Near the end of this first video you’ll also see the “P” logo from Pinterest appearing – we’re expecting Pinterest integration when the first Explorer Edition units arrive as well.

Next you’ll see the weather being displayed as well as a fold in the upper right-hand corner of the display, this showing you how you’ll be able to see more options with a bit of a slide on the touch interface on the side of your Glass unit. Pulling there will show you a full three-day forecast, for example, while page folds such as this can be used as a simple indicator for any number of “see more” actions in your own app development adventures.

We’ll be having a look at another video of Google’s User Interface soon – stick around SlashGear as the analysis continues! Hit up our Project Glass tag portal for more!

[via RoadtoVR]

Google’s note today was posted via Google+ where they’ve also released a photo of one of the official Glass team members Greg Priest-Dorman working with a pair of prototype glasses with Glass attached. At the moment, Google isn’t letting us know if the final Glass release will be attachable to the lenses you’ve got now, or if they’ll be provided attached to your prescription right our of the box. Have a read of what the team has confirmed today:

The Glass design is modular, so you will be able to add frames and lenses that match your prescription. We understand how important this is and we’ve been working hard on it. Here’s a picture of +Greg Priest-Dorman, a member of the Glass team and an early pioneer in wearable computing, wearing one of the prototypes we’re testing. 

Google has also noted that “the short answer is: yes!” when it comes to “a prescription solution for Glass.” As this is a “short answer” sort of situation, we’ll be going ahead and saying that yes, Google certainly will tend to those of us with glasses, but a final edition of what they’ll be looking like is not going to be shown until we’re much, much closer to the final consumer product.

Have a peek at the timeline below for additional Project Glass announcements and up-close looks and get pumped up for the final release later this year. Meanwhile we’ll be having our own variety of looks at the headgear as they arrive in the developer-centric Explorer Edition package sooner than later. Stick around our Project Glass tag portal as well for more information up to and through that fateful day!

[via Glass]

Google Glass does raise the issue of privacy, especially since anyone using the tech gadget could easily and secretly record video. Meinert says that the 5 Point cafe could be a kind of “seedy” and “notorious” place, but that isn’t too uncommon for a place like a dive bar. With the 5 Point Cafe being the first business (in Seattle) to ban Google Glasses, this may drive many other businesses to initiate a ban on the gadget as well.

Meinert admits that the ban was partly just a joke and was meant to instigate a reaction from people, but most of it is due to privacy. Meinert also recently updated the 5 Point Cafe’s Facebook page to say, “They[Google Glasses] are really just the new fashion accessory for the fanny pack & never removed Bluetooth headset wearing set.”

Privacy is always a concern, and there will most likely be more bans of Google Glass by certain businesses. Some businesses that come to mind include movie theaters, bars, and clubs. It will be interesting to see what kind of regulations will be put into place when Google Glass comes out, but at the same time, how many people will actually be willing to spend $1500 on a pair of tech glasses? How do you feel about Google Glass and privacy?

[via MyNorthwest]

On its Google+ page, JetBlue posted up a few concept images of what traveling could look like through Google Glass, with the caption, “we would continue to help the world view air travel through a whole new lens.” With Google Glass, you could check the status of your flight, get directions to baggage claim, look up taxi fare estimates, and even see where a good place to park would be.

Of course, $1,500 is quite a bit of money, and while a wearable computer like Google Glass could be worth every penny, most consumers won’t want to pay that kind of cash, especially when their handy-dandy smartphone can do the same kinds of functions. Then again, it seems Google Glass is all about the convenience factor and not having to carry around a smartphone at all.

Either way, JetBlue’s concept is actually really stellar, and it makes us want to get a pair for ourselves to make traveling easier. The airline’s Google Glass concept is a part of Google’s own marketing campaign that asks users to tweet or post the hashtag #ifihadglass and explain what they would use Google Glass for.

[via Business Insider]

At the conference, Brin talks about his dream. He states, “When we started Google 15 yeras ago, my vision was that information would come to you as you need it.” He didn’t want people to have to search for the information they want. In a way, that dream is somewhat realized with the “Google Now” service that brings smartphone users (with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) the information they want or need without them needing to do a search. Weather, traffic reports, news stories, nearby events, and other information is brought to them instantaneously.

However, Brin, didn’t want his dream to come in the form of the smartphone. In fact, he believes that the smartphone is emasculating. He made statements like, “Is the future of connection just people walking around hunched up, looking down, rubbing a featureless piece of glass? It’s kind of emasculating. Is this what you’re meant to do with your body?” He went on to say that cell phone usage in general is an addictive habit, and that if he were a smoker, he’d smoke instead. “It’d look cooler.”

Brin believes that Google Glass will be the project that will help him realize his dream. He may have made those statements just to promote Google Glass as a must-have tech accessory, but there is some truth to his comments. It is a bummer being surrounded by a group of people who are all hunched over their smartphones instead of socializing, but at the same time, you’re essentially glued to a display of distracting information while using Google Glass as well. I guess the perk is that you’re not hunched over?

[via TED]

An eBay listing for a pair of Google Glasses was pulled earlier today after eBay noticed that the auction was pretty much fake since the seller didn’t even have the glasses in hand. The seller claimed that we would be picking up his pair of Google Glasses during “Google’s Project Glass launch event, which will take place some time after Feburary 27th.”

However, Google hasn’t yet begun selecting those who would receive Google Glasses, so while the seller may have submitted an application to be an early tester, there’s no guarantee that he’ll receive a pair anyway. Then again, once the glasses actually do start rolling out to developers, it’s possible we may see legit eBay auctions go up soon.

Those who end up being selected by Google to get a pair of Google Glasses will be notified sometime mid-March, where at that point, we could definitely see some eBay auctions. Plus, Google’s terms don’t necessarily that you can’t resell the pair of glasses, so be prepared to save up some cash if you’re interested in a pair.

[via The Atlantic Wire]

The combination of software and hardware in the eye tracking glasses follows the users gaze and when the user looks at an object, a building, or a person, they will be given more information on what they’re seeing via headphones. The prototype glasses these two firms developed are intended to illustrate the feasibility of using eye tracking as an additional input mode for a new generation of smart glasses.

These glasses will be on display at CEBIT next month and users we able to try them out with an interactive tourist guide called Talking Places. This interactive guide needs no input other than the user looking at what they would like to see more information on. The technology identifies architectural objects of interest visually or using geo-tagged data and then provides context-sensitive audio information through earphones attached to the glasses.

Another set of prototype glasses acts as an interactive museum guide and has already been tested at the German Museum Pfalzgalerie Kaiserslautern. This prototype detects the specific art piece that the visitor is looking at and then provides audio information on the specific object via the earphones. In the future DFKI wants to add in graphical inserts by combining the eye tracking glasses with a head mounted display offering visual information about the artwork.

[via Eyetracking-glasses]

The binocular HUD (heads-up display) will create an augmented reality experience that transcends that of the first Google Glass. The engineering of Google Project Glass Part 2 is very in-depth, and very specific. The design of the glasses will have to have precise specifications in order to create the right type of augmented reality experience for various types of people. One issue that is affecting Google Project Glass Part 2 is the “binocular HMD (head mounted display) deformation”, which can lead to misalignment between the left and right images of the glasses.

To counteract the “binocular HMD deformation”, there may be several changes made to the new Google Glass. The lower display ports (labeled 140A & 140B in the image above) may be removed, as well as upper display ports (labeled 135A & 135B). There could be alterations to the frames 105A & 105B themselves in order to make them more rigid. Google has also implemented a quadrant photo-detector that will measure any misalignment between the right and left displays of the HMD.

Google Glass has definitely intrigued many consumers, even with its $1500-ish price tag. It will be able to tether data from your smartphone, give you a turn-by-turn navigation overlay, and let you take pictures and record video with a simple voice command. But will this introduction of a new Google Glass deter users from buying the first one? Having two displays does make Project Glass Part 2 seem more efficient than Project 1, and I would think it’d be more stylish.

[via Patent Bolt]

Google has confirmed to The Verge that Google Glasses will be making their way into the mainstream by year’s end, and the company said that a pair will cost “less than” $1,500. We would love to interpret that as maybe just a couple hundred dollars, but we guarantee that users will be paying a lot more for such glasses.

Google’s Sergey Brin said last month that Google Glasses would ship in a few months to developers, but no specific timeline was given. Pre-orders for the glasses began last year at Google I/O for strictly developers. However, it seems that the public will be able to get a hold of a pair before 2014 rolls around.

Google Glasses passed through the FCC earlier this month, and the filing hinted at the addition of bone conduction technology, which will allow users to listen to audio without putting headphones on or in their ears. Instead, special tips that are placed near the temples create vibrations that our ears and brain interpret as music or other audio.

These glasses were announced a while back and are now available to purchase for $1499. The Wrap 1200AR glasses are certainly not cheap. The little screens inside the glasses simulate a 75-inch screen as seen from 10 feet away. The display supports 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios and each has a resolution of 852 x 480.

When combined, the two display support resolutions all the way up to 720p. The glasses supports 60 Hz scan rates and have a 35° diagonal field of view. The small displays support 24-bit color and the glasses weigh about 3 ounces. The left and right camera systems can be independently adjusted and the glasses support 2-D and stereoscopic 3-D video.

The video glasses also offer a wide variety of adjustment allowing the user to adjust the eye separation, display angle, and to adjust the diopter. The glasses have tracking technology with 3° of freedom able to track head yaw, pitch, and roll. Connectivity options on the glasses include VGA, and USB. An adapter for DVI connectivity is included.

[via Vuzix]

In the FCC application, there’s a paragraph referencing to an “integral vibrating element that provides audio to the user via contact with the user’s head.” Of course, just a few days earlier, Google filed for a patent dealing with a bone-conduction earpiece for glasses, meaning that there could very will be a connection between the patent and the FFC filing.

Bone conduction technology isn’t anything new by any means, but we haven’t really seen a breakthrough in the technology, and it hasn’t become that popular yet. If Google Glasses does, in fact, include bone conduction technology, we finally might see it fly into the mainstream quicker than it would otherwise.

We first saw glimpses of Google’s “Project Glass” earlier last year, as well as at Google I/O over the summer, where the company demonstrated the new technology to developers and press. Developers will be able to get their hands on a pair in a couple of months at a price of $1,500, while regular consumers are said to be able buy a pair sometime within a year from when devs get theirs.

[via Business Insider]

In the FCC paperwork, the model number is referred to as “XEB,” and this was the first model that was tested back in November. The application mentions that the glasses will have 2.4GHz 802.11 b/g WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0, but it won’t support both at the same time, meaning communication can only be active through one or the other at a time.

Other than that, we’re not seeing anything else too special, but we’re positive that we’ll hear more about them in no time. Of course, we were promised a January 2013 release date for the glasses back during Google I/O, and now it looks like it won’t be for a couple more months, but a trip through the FCC is proof that these glasses are actually real, and that we’ll see them real soon.

We saw glimpses of Google’s Glass project earlier last year, and at Google I/O over the summer, the company went all-out to demonstrate the new technology. Developers will be able to get their hands on a pair soon, at a price of $1,500, while regular consumers are said to be able buy a pair sometime within a year from now.

[via Engadget]

The glasses emit a near-infrared set of LEDs that block facial recognition cameras from identifying wearers. According to Echizen, the glasses are the answer to what he refers to as the “invasion of privacy caused by photographs taken in secret.” Facial recognition software collects a lot of data about patrons. Not only can it identify you, but it can also figure out your body type and age.

These prototype glasses aren’t the most appealing, and they likely won’t be adopted by the masses, but if the idea takes off, we may see versions that are much smaller and more stylish than the ones we’re seeing today. Plus, in order to keep the LED lights on and working for this prototype privacy visor, you have to carry around a small power supply in your pocket.

Echizen says that he’s already received offers from companies that want to work toward mass-producing the visors in the future. Echizen says that he and his development team are working on “an improved version of the privacy visor without power supply consisting of transparent materials that reflect or absorb specific wavelength.”

This new bit of gadgetry has the ability to harden and soften using electrically controlled fluid. The fluid has a changeable viscosity which is controlled, again, by the touchpad at your temple which also tends to control many items in the full unit. Those of you that wear glasses on the regular know that having a nose piece that’s too hard can lead to the ol’ “nose dents” while too little support has a tendency to keep your glasses closer to your chin than your forehead.

At the moment it does not appear as though this tech will be present in the first edition of Google’s Glass units, but perhaps the future “final” iteration will be bringing the fire. The Explorer Edition of the Google Glass gadget is still set to be sent out in the first half of 2013 to those that pre-ordered back at Google I/O 2012. This edition will be tending to developers and those that really, really want to check the gear out early rather than the public.

The public will be waiting an undisclosed amount of time before the final iteration of Google’s Project Glass is released. The final market edition of the technology will likely have several different iterations, some made for those that don’t normally wear glasses, some for those that do. There will also be a hefty premium, we must expect, for a future-looking bit of uniqueness like this, especially considering the price of the Explorer Edition.

[via Engadget]

With Time’s list comes a lovely new photo of what very well could be the final release version of Google Glass – aka Project Glass as it was titled back at the first general reveal. This headset computer shows a user interface in a transparent block of glass in front of the users’ left eye. Gestures with the head, turns, and movement of the eye control what happens inside the computer, the bulk of which exists above the users’ right temple and down the side of the eyeline towards the ear.

The ear also has an earpiece and speaker which will inevitably work to allow the user to make cellular voice calls and take commands – the mic is there, you just can’t see it! This unit also shows clearly that the front-facing camera will be a large element of the whole experience, both for reading the general information about the location the unit is in as well as taking photos and video.

Time’s information on Google Glass notes that, “consumers should be able to buy Google Glass by 2014.” According to the information we have on the project, the developer edition of the device will be sent out early in 2013 – perhaps some quick development from there will commence. Have a peek at the timeline below to see a collection of updates from the past few months to get up to speed – and see you soon with the final unit!

This device is a wearable device that won’t be gaining you the same cool points that Google’s Project Glass will, but you’ll certainly be paying a bit less in the end. Inside you’ve got a pair of 0.7-inch OLED monitors with 45 degree viewing angles. What you’ll be working with for audio is some next-level Virtualphone technology for virtual surround sound. That’s 360-degree 5.1 surround sound, for those of you hoping to get in full immersive mode.

The HMZ-T2 from Sony has a set of detachable and adjustable light shields for privacy when you’re in your own 3D world, and you’ll be able to clip them on or off whenever you like. You’ve got the ability to work with both 2D and 3D when you want, and the whole device is 20% lighter than last year’s offering.

You’ll be able to play games on your own or share with others what you’re seeing with a lovely dual-output switcher. You can have one person watching TV while another person plays games – we’re looking forward to seeing that happen, of course, as it seems pretty crazy indeed. This device will be working with a variety of systems for content and will be showing up on the market later this year!

To hear feedback from users of the device which isn’t actually on the market yet, Lee and Price noted that they’d be “hopping into as many hangouts as possible.” Participants in the event were encouraged to start their own hangouts and get to chatting about Google Glass as soon and as much as possible. The result, without much if any direction, was a collection of video chats with users saying things like “what are we supposed to be doing here?”

This is the first event of many, we expect, from the Explorers project we saw launched last week. In-depth talks and informative releases will be appearing soon with what we must expect will be more direction than we’ve seen this afternoon. People invited to the Explorers club were either Google I/O participants or people who took the opportunity to purchase the early release of Google Glass that will be sent out at the start of 2013.

At the moment we’ve only to wait for more information on the project as Google distributes it. When the Google Glass units are distributed early next year, developers as well as hardcore Google lovers will be able to send out information on their own, and the final consumer-ready version will be prepped before the end of 2013 – or so tips have tipped.

PatentlyApple points out that this display would feature both a smaller screen and a smaller battery than the ones featured in the iPhone, something that could cause some challenges for Apple if it’s looking to boost pixel density in the heads-up display. Also worth noting is that fact that Apple’s patent application states “other embodiments may take the form of other types of display devices such as television sets, computer monitors, projection systems, and so forth,” so it isn’t looking to restrict this technology to just video glasses.

With as strange as that patent drawing pictured above looks, it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t a design patent. Apple likely just came up with some concept drawings to submit with the application, and will probably work a little bit harder on the design of final product before shipping it. Still, this is a pretty exciting development, as it seems that everyone wants a bit of the video glasses pie. Stay tuned, because this could get interesting very quickly.

Those of you unfamiliar with Powell’s work, you can hit up the following three links and see the videos of the projects he’s done throughout this post. Some of the products Powell uses are the Vuzix STAR 1200 AR glasses, Raspberry Pi – the fabulous miniature computer, and of course, a good ol’ fashioned ASUS Eee Pad Transformer.

• Raspberry Pi takes on Google’s Project Glass
• DIY Project Glass makes Google’s AR vision real
• Will Powell brings on AR vision real-time translation

SlashGear: Where you working with wearable technology before Google’s Project
Glass was revealed to the world?

Powell: Yes at Keytree we were working with wearable technology before the unveiling of project glass. I was working on CEO Vision a glasses based augmented reality that you could reach out and touch objects to interact or add interactive objects on top of an iPad. I have also had lots of personal projects.

SG: What is your ultimate goal in creating this set of projects with
Raspberry Pi, Vuzix 1200 Star, etc?

P: I would say that the ultimate goal is really to show what is possible. With CEO Vision at Keytree we showed that you could use a sheet of paper to interact with sales figures and masses of data using the SAP Hana database technology. Then creating my own version of project glass and now extending those ideas to cover translations as well, was just to show what is possible using off-the-shelf technology. The translation idea was to take down barriers between people.

SG: Do you believe wearable technology will replace our most common mobile tech – smartphones, laptops – in the near future?

P: Yes I do, but with an horizon of a couple of years. I think that with the desire for more content and easier simpler devices, using what we are looking at and hearing to tell our digital devices what we want to find and share is the way forward. Even now we have to get a tablet, phone or laptop out to look something up. Glasses would completely change this because they are potentially always on and are now adding full time to at least one of our fundamental senses. Also many of us already wear glasses, according to Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of U.S. adults use some sort of vision correction. About 64% of them wear eyeglasses so people are already wearing something that could be made smart. That is a huge number of potential adopters for mobile personal information delivery.

I think we still have a way to go with working out how everything will fit together and how exactly we would interact with glasses based technology. With the transition from a computer to tablets and smartphones we opened up gestured with glasses we have the potential to have body language and real life actions as interaction mechanisms. And it would be the first time that there is no keyboard. There is also the potential for specifically targeted ads that could end up with us having some parodies come true. However, I do think we will have an app store for a glasses based device in the next few years.

SG: What projects do you have coming up next?

P: I have many more ideas about what glasses based applications can be used for and am building some of them. I am creating another video around translation to show the multi lingual nature of the concept. Further to that, we are looking at what areas of everyday life could be helped with glasses based tech and the collaboration between glasses users. The translation application highlighted that glasses are even better with wide adoption because Elizabeth could not see the subtitles of what I was saying without using the TV or tablet.

Stick around as Powell’s mind continues to expand on the possibilities in augmented reality, wearable technology, and more!

This project uses two Raspberry Pi boards, a Vuzix Star 1200, and a Jawbone mic. Jawbone is a company that makes microphones, earphones, and combinations of the two – see our Jawbone portal for more. The Vuzix Star 1200 is an augmented reality headset we’ve had hands-on time with back at IFA 2011 – see our hands-on look at this headset at the end of this post as well as back in this IFA 2011 post. The project known as Raspberry Pi is a small computer made to be both extremely inexpensive and extremely usable in a variety of projects – see more in our Raspberry Pi portal.

Then take a peek at Will Powell’s most recent effort using the three components above all in one fabulous translation machine:

Powell is also responsible for several other similar projects such as this, the last one we saw working with a pair of Vuzix glasses once again – have a peek at his April 2012 effort and keep an eye on this fellow in the future. He may just beat Project Glass by a mile – or several months – whatever comes first.

BONUS – have a peek at the Vuzix STAR 1200 below:

This patent was filed back on the 25th of May in 2011 and was just accepted today. The name of this patent is “Wearable heads-up display with integrated finger-tracking input sensor” and it refers to technology patents dating back to 1998 with Sony’s Image Display System. This brand new patent filed by Google was assigned to Liang-Yu Chi, Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez, Robert Allen Ryskamp, and none other than Sanjay G Mavinkurve.

The description for this bit of the equation reads as follows, in brief:

“…wherein the first finger-operable input device is substantially transparent, and a second finger-operable input device secured to the wearable frame structure via a second of the two projections and configured to provide gross-motor input information to the processor and sense at least one of a position and movement of a finger along a planar direction relative to a surface of the second input device, and to provide corresponding input information to the processor.” – Google Patent

This patent application is of course massive and covers a whole lot more than just the basic description of the touch panel(s). Feel free to dive in if you wish, and let us know if you find any other juicy bits! Meanwhile we’ll be heading back down the rabbit hole with our trusty Project Glass timeline below!

[via Android Community]

What you’re looking at in the FCC listing is a request on the part of Google with the FCC to allow these next-generation personal communication devices to be tested in the real world by none other than themselves. Of course it does not specifically say who will be the ones to test this new batch of units, only that Google’s allotment of devices that they want to be able to use should be boosted to 722.

This amount of devices is not exactly screaming “one free for everyone at Google I/O” by any means, but we do certainly expect that the device will be there in some form or another. We’ll be on site at Google I/O 2012 for the entirety of the event at the Moscone Center in San Francisco California. This event starts in just 19 days from now and lasts three whole fun-filled 24 hour periods with nothing less than developer fun from start to finish. Join us here on SlashGear on June 27-29th as we give you all the most up-to-the-second bits from right on site!

Also feel free to keep up with Google Project Glass in the timeline below – it’s fun stuff!

These glasses are actually available for order right now, a clip-on available for those of you who wish not only to be able to hear and read the movie you’re watching, but to see 3D movies as well. Of course to make these glasses work, you’ll need to have paired with the theater’s pre-made tracks beforehand. That said, we’ll see the implementation of these glasses, with Regal Entertainment Group providing the connections you need, by the third quarter of 2012.

The image you see above comes from a press release from Sony from back in October of 2011 – the look of the glasses will likely change significantly before their actual release.

This fabulous advancement in technology for the otherwise sight or hearing impaired audience will likely be adopted slowly, but will certainly have a chance at changing the way that audience is able to be entertained as the rest of this earth’s population is on a regular basis. The glasses themselves only weigh in at less than 3 ounces, and are able to be programmed in 6 different languages. Sony has not yet posted a sale location for these glasses – but we’re sure to see one soon!

[via Gizmo P]

This project is not a prop, it’s not a joke, it’s the real deal – and Google is detailing it via Google+, of course. This project is being touted by Google X employees at a futuristic vision that could very well come to fruition very soon. They’re looking for your input, in fact, to drive the project forward from the very real place its at today. Have a peek at this demonstration (virtualized, of course) video to see what this is all about:

The actual device is a pair of wrap-around glasses with a clear display that sits in front of your eye (the left, for now), and leaks surrounding the glasses have been popping up for months. It appeared back then that these would be Terminator-tech, while now we’re seeing that it’s much more than that – it’s a fully integrated Google apps experience. What’s more than this, the project could potentially not just sit around your head – this tech could get as close to your body as a contact lens.

The image you’re looking at above is a contact lens being developed by Google X which Google X employee Babak Parviz notes allows pixels to be sitting right on top of your eye. Freaky prospects on the horizon! We’ll be following this project as closely as possible as it develops. For now, devour that video and check out these photos!

[via Google+]

The Pivothead video glasses feature gyroscopic image stabilization and continuous auto-focus, which kick in when “Active Mode” is selected. Videos can be shot at 30fps in either 720p or 1080p or at 60fps in only 720p and are saved as in H.264/MPEG-4 format. The video glasses also offer “Spectator Mode,” “Social Mode,” and “Black & White Mode.”

You can simply wear the glasses as regular sunglasses and then when you need to record something you turn on the camera by tapping a button on the bottom of the left side. Pushing a button on top of that side begins recording in the default mode of 1080p at 30fps.

The settings for the glasses can be changed via various ways of holding down the buttons, reminiscent of adjusting old sports watches. LEDs on the interior of the left side give feedback while you do this. But to save the hassle, you can simply connect the glasses via USB to your computer and adjust the settings in the Glasses Manager software. Pivothead expects to start shipping the glasses in April, priced at $349.

[via GizMag]

This newest engine is able to be integrated into ski goggles, prescription glasses, and all sorts of lenses such as binoculars and monoculars – and the whole thing weighs in at just 10 grams. That’s .35 ounces for the OE-21 sensor that, at this scale, will be great for any and all augmented reality situations. When we saw Lumus solution back at CES 2012, it was a much more intense application, ranging all the way back to a 10-feet and an undeniably impressive 720p video feed. Now what we’ve got is a display made more for reading with a heads-up display.

This newest solution has a 19-degree field of vies and a full-core 640 x 360 picture, perfect for smaller applications. We fully expect this engine to be showing up at Mobile World Congress 2012 along with all the other smart glasses-like devices that will undoubtedly be showing their tech on the floor. Have a peek at a couple of images provided by Lumus for this newest device and, of course, enjoy the video above of your humble narrator bearing it all for the CES 2012 Lumus model.