Google to Sell Heads-Up Display Glasses by Year’s End

NY Times via Kurzweil.net ^ | Feb. 21, 2012 | By NICK BILTON

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

People who constantly reach into a pocket to check a smartphone for bits of information will soon have another option: a pair of Google-made glasses that will be able to stream information to the wearer’s eyeballs in real time.

According to several Google employees familiar with the project who asked not to be named, the glasses will go on sale to the public by the end of the year. These people said they are expected “to cost around the price of current smartphones,” or $250 to $600.

The people familiar with the Google glasses said they would be Android-based, and will include a small screen that will sit a few inches from someone’s eye. They will also have a 3G or 4G data connection and a number of sensors including motion and GPS.

A Google spokesman declined to comment on the project.

Seth Weintraub, a blogger for 9 to 5 Google, who first wrote about the glasses project in December, and then discovered more information about them this month, also said the glasses would be Android-based and cited a source that described their look as that of a pair of Oakley Thumps.

[LimitedPowers]

These glasses won't be a driving hazard as long as you're in a google driverless car!

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

I think a lot of people in this thread are looking for a reason to be offended.

Just as well say that they were going to have an accident cause they were studying something in their rear view mirrors for a few seconds.

If someone is going to have an accident because they can't focus their eyes, glasses aren't going to help or hurt in the long run.

[A Navy Vet]

"But don’t Air Force fighter pilots already use something along these lines?"

Yes, in one eye IIRC, but they are highly trained. Big difference with some kid looking into stereo glasses or trying to focus on one eyepiece.

[A Navy Vet]

"Just as well say that they were going to have an accident cause they were studying something in their rear view mirrors for a few seconds."

You're kind of missing the point/benefit of the glasses - streaming. Much different than a glance in the mirror or quick change of channels on the radio. Youngsters (others) already get side-tracked by their smart phones and cause many accidents. They don't need something else to kill my wife because they are so obsessed with surfing YouTube. Let them sit in their bedroom and stream/network to their little hearts' content.

Pay attention to the damn road. This is a bad idea. Will be doubly bad after they leave the latest rave, niteclub, or party while buzzed/drunk and need an on-line fix.

I'm not looking to be offended. However, I WILL be offended when some dipshit is watching some stupid video or chatting (probably will have voice capability)and runs me over.

Just because something is doable doesn't make it a good idea. If that were the case, let's lower the drinking age to 16 for those with new licenses. Let's make sure every young kid and their stupid GenX parents can browse away while operating a ton of steel next to us. /s

[Boogieman]

“Just because something is doable doesn’t make it a good idea.”

Sure, but you’re can’t hold back innovation because someone will misuse it. You can try, but it just won’t work. If you think this is bad, wait 20-30 years and they will be implanting a miniature smart phone into your skull with a direct connection to the brain, and the HUD will be in a contact lens or tapped right into the optic nerve.

[AAABEST]

Everyone can walk around with these glasses in their eyes and headphones on their ears. We'll all be "switched-on" at all times.

Perhaps they can come up with something that plugs into our anuses too, this way every orafice will have type of electronic interface in it.

[ourworldawry]

“Sounds ultra-cool!”

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Does it?

Well, Let’s see how “ultra-cool” it’s going to be when these ‘glassholes’ start taking pictures of you without your CONSENT?! And then...do anything they WANT with them.