According to a recent New York Times article, Google is planning to launch technologically advanced glasses with a heads-up display later this year. The futuristic glasses, which will appear similar to Oakley Thumps sunglasses, will continually stream real-time information to the lenses using a 3G/4G connection.
The project, which is being led by Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin and Google engineer Steve Lee, is being built in a secret Google laboratory devoted to futuristic technology. The glasses are expected to be Android-based and have a built in camera and sensors that will collect information regarding users’ surroundings. The collected data will then be sent to the cloud and processed using a combination of Google’s other services including Google Latitude, Google Goggles, and Google Maps. Next, the information will be presented to the user information on the heads-up display lenses.
Nick Bilton, a New York Times reporter, said his sources are indicating this project is an open experiment and that Google is not worried about making money with the new glasses:
“Everyone I spoke with who was familiar with the project repeatedly said that Google was not thinking about potential business models with the new glasses. Instead, they said, Google sees the project as an experiment that anyone will be able to join. If consumers take to the glasses when they are released later this year, then Google will explore possible revenue streams.”
The new glasses are expected to cost $250 to $600 and be available by the end of this year.
[Sources Include: New York Times & ZDNet]
