Rumour Has It: Project Glass, by Google

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9c6W4CCU9M4

What is Project Glass?

Imagine Siri, except a) by Google, and more differently/importantly b) instead of looking at an iPhone to get your information, you just look - through a pair of Google-powered glasses.

Welcome to Project Glass, Google’s foray into augmented reality. In a world with smartphones, smart cars, and even smart TV’s, the concept of smart glasses may seem unconventional, but not as strange as the fact that people actually watch Big Brother.

Project Glass is essentially a pair of glasses wherein the glasses can perform some of the basic functions of a smartphone, but the information is displayed when you look through the lenses. The glasses are said to include a processor, microphones, a speaker, a camera, a touchpad and button on the side, memory, and sensors such as an accelerometer, compass and gyroscope.

What can you do with Project Glass?

In terms of what you can actually do with the glasses, whilst Google is continuing to develop their capabilities, what they have revealed certainly looks promising. If only for the possibility of getting directions via Google Maps straight to your eyes, this is technology worth looking in to. Factor in the ability to take photos of whatever you’re looking at by… well, looking at it, as well as other things like getting weather forecasts simply by looking out the window, checking into places online just by looking at a sign, and even simply receiving text messages and notifications directly to your field of vision, and this could change the way we view technology.

When will it be released?

According to Google X leader Sergey Brin, a developer version of the hardware estimated to cost around $1,500 will be released early next year, with a consumer release expected to follow a year later, and with a lower price tag, although it probably won’t be cheap.

It’s just like having Jarvis deliver information to Tony Stark inside Iron Man’s helmet, only sans helmet.

If only the glasses looked just as cool…