Google Glass

Google has revealed its long-rumored plans to create augmented reality (AR) eyeglasses.

Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect view of a physical environment that's augmented by computer-generated input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.

Through the built-in camera on the glasses, Google will be able to stream images to its rack computers and return augmented reality information to the person wearing them. For instance, a person looking at a landmark could see detailed historical information and comments about it left by friends. If facial recognition software becomes accurate enough, the glasses could remind a wearer of when and how he met the vaguely familiar person standing in front of him at a party. They might also be used for virtual reality games that use the real world as the playground.

Regarding marketing there is a lot of potential since user can get ads and events information depending on where he is and what is looking for, time of the day, etc...

You can see more on the Google Glass concept in the video below.

Google Glass - Concept video

The video is shot from the point of view of someone wearing a pair of AR glasses. The wearer can apparently take a phone call while wearing the glasses, listening and speaking with the caller, whose avatar or photo pops up on one lens of the glasses.



The wearer can transmit what he or she sees during the conversation.

The user gets information related to what he/she is looking. For example, looking out of the window triggers data about the weather that's shown on the lens.

Looking at objects while walking pulls up information on the lens. For example, when the wearer passes a subway station, a notice that service had been suspended is called up a Google Map showing a walking route.

A Siri-like voice application puts up information in response to questions. For example, when the user walked into a bookstore and asked where the music section was, a map indicating that section came up on the lens.

The user can also instruct the glasses to take a photo.

Project Glass seems to incorporate features from Google Maps, Android's voice response system, Google's geolocation service and other features.

Technology

The glasses will use the same Android software that powers Android smartphones and tablets. Like smartphones and tablets, the glasses will be equipped with GPS and motion sensors. They will also contain a camera and audio inputs and outputs.