Skip to main content

Relax four eyes: Google Glass for prescriptions is coming in a few months

It’s not known what kind of market there is out there for Google Glass when it comes to spec wearers (though to be honest, it’s still not known what kind of market there is for Google Glass period), but project leader Babak Parviz said Monday an edition for those who wear spectacles is in the pipeline.

Speaking at the Hot Chips microprocessor-related conference in Stanford, Parviz promised those with less-than-perfect eyesight won’t be forgotten by Google.

Recommended Videos

“In the next few months we will release a version that will integrate into glasses,” Parviz said. “So if you are wearing glasses, you’d be able to use this.”

He added that if Glass does well in the market when it launches some time next year, different optics will be offered.

Google Contacts?

During his presentation, Parviz said the Mountain View company could conceivably launch contact lenses utilizing Glass technology, though admitted it wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

The Glass project leader said that as part of his work as a professor in the engineering department of the University of Washington, he’d already experimented with incorporating displays into contact lenses.

“It was fun, we went all the way to 1-pixel on a contact lens that worked wirelessly, but even that was quite difficult,” he told the audience.

Privacy

Regarding privacy, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly with Glass, the engineer compared it to when the first camera came out in the late nineteenth century. At the time, he explained, the device was controversial with many people unsure of its capabilities. He said he believes that as with the camera, concerns about Glass will fall away once people become more familiar with the product.

Looking ahead, Parviz said that he could see a day where devices like Glass could push smartphones aside to become the communications tool of choice, much in the way that smartphones have gradually replaced desktop computers and regular telephones.

As for the current Glass product in development, the team is working to boost the device’s battery life, which currently stands at about a day for “typical use”, and to better handle video processing. Reducing the size of its components while at the same time retaining a stylish design for the gadget are also challenges facing the team.

Parviz said that overall they’ve made a “good solid first step” with Glass, though of course there’s still plenty to be getting on with before launch day.

[via PCWorld]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
A new Google Pixel is coming, so the Pixel 8 is on sale
Someone holding the Google Pixel 8, showing its home screen.

With the expected announcement of the Google Pixel 9 at the upcoming Made by Google event, there's going to be a lot of phone deals featuring discounts on older generations of Google's smartphone. In fact, the current model, the Google Pixel 8, is already on sale from Amazon, with the 128GB version down to just $510 from $699, for savings of $189. Since there's no telling how long this offer will last, we highly recommend making your purchase immediately if you want to get this device for much cheaper than usual.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel 8
Here's how to watch the Made by Google event, where we expect the Google Pixel 9 to be unveiled. However, even with the arrival of the new smartphone, the Google Pixel 8 will still be a worthwhile purchase, especially if you can get it for its discounted price. It's currently the runner-up for the phone with the best value in our roundup of the best smartphones because of all the amazing features that you can get for its relatively low price compared to flagship models. It all starts with its 6.2-inch Actua display that promises sharp details and rich colors, and a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to hold and use in one hand.

Read more
Google has a few surprises just for Samsung’s new foldables
A person holding the open Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, showing the screen.

Enthusiasts eyeing the fresh slate of Samsung foldable phones are in for some extra software goodies from Google. The company today announced a handful of new tricks for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the new Galaxy smartwatches, too.

First is context-aware Gemini. On the new foldable phones, when you summon the Gemini assistant, it will identify what’s happening on the screen and will make suggestions accordingly. For example, when watching a video, Gemini will push something like “ask about this video.”

Read more
I’ve had the Google Pixel 8 Pro for a month. Here’s why I’m keeping it
A blue Google Pixel 8 Pro, laying face-down next to a small pumpkin and squash.

I'll come out and say it right now: The Google Pixel 8 Pro is an outstanding smartphone. Actually, I'll do you one better. It's easily the best Pixel phone Google has ever released. Hell — the Pixel 8 Pro just may be my favorite Android phone of 2023.

I gave the Pixel 8 Pro a lot of praise in my review of the phone this past October. I went so far as to call it the "best Pixel I've ever used." A bold claim, for sure. But is all of that still true after using the Pixel 8 Pro for well over a month? Is it still the Pixel phone I've been waiting for, or has my usual bad luck with Pixel bugs tarnished my experience?
Everything I still love about the Pixel 8 Pro

Read more