Sony Unveils SmartEyeglass, Its Version of Google Glass

By Todd R. Weiss

With SmartEyeglass devices, users experience holographic waveguide technology, which incorporates super-thin augmented-reality lenses to display images with high transparency and brightness, according to Sony. The beta devices use a monochrome 8-bit display.

To bring AR experiences to users, the SmartEyeglass devices include a built-in 3MP camera, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an electronic compass, a brightness sensor, a microphone and a noise-suppression sub-microphone to gather inputs and information.

The first SmartEyeglass Developer Edition devices, the SED-E1, are not yet available to developers in the United States. The devices are available to developers in the United Kingdom for $803 or Germany for $763. Beta units for Japan and the United States are coming soon.

Used with an Android smartphone, SmartEyeglass communicates over Bluetooth and WLAN, running its apps as normal Android apps on the smartphone. Devices running Android 4.4 and above are supported.

While Google Glass had all its components built into its frames, Sony’s SmartEyeglass includes a wired external controller that users can hold in a hand to give commands and inputs to the devices. SmartEyeglass can’t be worn presently with other eyeglasses.

Sony calls SmartEyeglass “lightweight, binocular eyewear that enables true augmented-reality experiences.” To do that, text, symbols and images are superimposed onto the natural field of view on the devices, bringing users extra data, help and information, as shown in this image.

Myriad applications are envisioned for SmartEyeglass users, including apps that would allow a user to attend their favorite sporting event and receive heads-up displays of the scores and important statistics related to the game and its players. Imagine seeing the score right on your device.

Special apps from developers that would allow SmartEyeglass users to wear them as they work are also envisioned, giving workers heads-up, step-by-step directions for assembling or repairing complex components in the field. Here is such an app for engine-building workers.

Other uses are also envisioned, including apps that could help users navigate their way around their home towns or on their travels anywhere in the world, while providing helpful real-time information on traffic, shopping and points of interest.