- Sony Unveils SmartEyeglass, Its Version of Google Glass
- SmartEyeglass Includes a Wired Controller
- Built-in Camera, Sensors, Microphone and More
- Not Yet Available in the U.S.
- SmartEyeglass Uses Bluetooth to ‘Talk’ With Android Smartphones
- Tethered Controller
- Spoken Commands, Heads-Up Display
- Imagine In-Person Real-Time Sports Scores
- Work Use Cases Are Also Envisioned
- Heads-Up Navigational Capabilities
Sony Unveils SmartEyeglass, Its Version of Google Glass
By Todd R. Weiss
SmartEyeglass Includes a Wired Controller
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.
Built-in Camera, Sensors, Microphone and More
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.
Not Yet Available in the U.S.
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.
SmartEyeglass Uses Bluetooth to ‘Talk’ With Android Smartphones
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.
Tethered Controller
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.
Spoken Commands, Heads-Up Display
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.
Imagine In-Person Real-Time Sports Scores
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.
Work Use Cases Are Also Envisioned
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.
Heads-Up Navigational Capabilities
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.