Smart Glasses: How Do They Work?

Smart glass or smart glasses are a trend again, and this time, it seems they are back to stay. Google already tried it, without much success, with Google Glass in 2014 and again in 2017, or Snapchat with Spectacles. Currently, brands such as Rayban, Huawei and Microsoft have joined the development of these devices, which, like smartwatches, aim to make your life easier.

Today’s article tells you about smart glasses, a technological advance that will undoubtedly make you look at the future differently. Keep reading!

Smart glasses, start to see the future.

Smart glasses are lenses with built-in technology that allows us to transfer various smartphone functions to our eyes. This technology can take the form of augmented reality, in the form of a screen on which the information is projected or reflected in the lens. Or those that do not incorporate augmented reality technology in the lens but have other smart mechanisms on the pin or the support are also considered smart glasses.

In 2014, Google launched the first augmented reality glasses: Google Glass. Its primary purpose was to show users the smartphone’s information without the need to use their hands through voice control and the visible screen on the lens. 

However, due to its design or price, this model was not as successful among users, although technology or health companies found a device that made their daily tasks easier for workers in these glasses.

But what do these smart glasses allow you to do? Depending on the lens type, they have various functionalities: Some will enable you to take photos and videos and post them directly on social networks, listen to music or make calls, and the most advanced offer the possibility of seeing a version of the smartphone screen on the lens.

The control of this system is done through your voice, with finger sweeps on the pin or even through signs. We can find different models with a different number of built-in cameras, GPS, wireless connectivity modules, microphones, buttons, etc. 

As in any technological device, the functions depend on the glasses type and manufacturer. We indicate the ones that are being talked about the most. 

Types of smart glasses

To analyze the types of smart glasses on the market, you should know that those that incorporate the screen projection in the lens are considered augmented reality glasses. Therefore, the rest would not have this technology, although they are still considered “smart”.

Brands like Xiaomi or Apple are already developing their smart glasses, but for now, we will mention those already on sale in 2022.

Augmented reality smart glasses

Google Glass

As we have mentioned, Google was ahead of its time, and in 2014 it launched its first smart glasses. They are still for sale for companies, with the name “Google Glasses Enterprise Edition 2”. 

This model, designed specifically for companies, carries the Android operating system, a built-in 640×360 pixel screen, an 8MP camera and other features such as a Bluetooth connection or the Android development kit, with which companies can create their applications.

After the conference on May 11, 2022, Google announced that the new model would be based on two of the company’s great strengths: transcription and translation. The new Google Glass, not yet for sale, will incorporate the ability to transcribe and translate in its line of sight, making it easier for the user to no longer has language barriers. 

Hololens Microsoft

Like its competitor, Microsoft has developed smart glasses designed for companies, specifically for engineering, construction, manufacturing, health care and education.

These glasses have several beneficial functionalities for companies, such as remotely connecting with colleagues and working together on a holographic canvas overlaid on the physical environment or sharing an event, photo or video in real-time and with mixed reality. 

Another feature of note is hand-tracking holograms, which allow you to touch, grab, and pan holograms in ways that feel entirely natural. These holograms respond like real objects. 

Its design is somewhat bulkier than Google Glass since its technology offers more possibilities. These smart glasses have a front component directly affecting vision and a rear part attached to the head. 

Magic Leap 

This company burst onto the scene years ago as the future of mixed reality. With its first model, launched in 2018, virtual images can be projected in the real world through a screen on the head. It stands out for its patented technology that makes the combination between the real and the virtual almost undetectable. 

Model 2 is currently about to be launched, more focused on companies such as Google and Microsoft smart glasses with a lighter and more stylized design.

Smart glasses without augmented reality

Rayban Stories

Rayban and Facebook, already known as Meta, have collaborated to develop the first smart glasses from the leading sunglasses; brand, Rayban, and the social media giant Facebook, which provides its technology. 

The Rayban Stories integrate multiple styles and lens options, offering a camera-integrated design that is hard to see at first glance. Its primary function is to share content such as photos and videos in the first person on the main Meta social networks: Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The shutter button and the microphones are on the pins, with isolated sound. 

Other functions of these smart glasses are listening to music and controlling said multimedia with the touch panel of the pins, calls and voice commands, or receiving notifications about the battery and content storage. 

Huawei X Gentle Monster Eyewear

Like the Rayban Stories, Huawei’s smart glasses have an integrated microphone and speaker, but in their case, they do not have a camera. It offers two models of sunglasses and two prescription glasses, with an elaborate design in which the difference between these smart glasses and normal ones is not appreciated.

With the latest model, the Eyewear II will be able to listen to up to 5 hours of music playback, excellent sound quality through inverse sound waves which will allow only the user to listen to their conversations and a voice assistant with simple control and efficiency thanks to the touch screen on the temple.

Amazon Echo Frames

Echo Frames smart glasses are an Amazon invention powered by Alexa. Its primary function is to offer you hands-free:

• Make calls.
• Listen to music, podcasts or Audible books.
• Create reminders or set VIP people and call them with a single touch.

These glasses do not incorporate a camera.

Snapchat Spectacles: From Camera Smart Glasses to Augmented Reality Glasses

Although not a trend, these smart glasses were pioneers in the market. The Snapchat social network put them up for sale in 2016 with a colourful design for young people who shared content on the social network. Its primary function was to make short 10-second videos that you could communicate directly on Snapchat via Bluetooth. 

Currently, the company is already committed to augmented reality with its latest Spectacles 4 model presented in 2021, in which some of the experiences it offers, according to Europa Press, is to interact with nature that “grows” before the user or “run away from a hungry zombie.

We hope that this article has helped you understand everything about smart glasses. And you, have you tried some? Leave us a comment with your experience. Or, if you prefer, you can write to us on our social networks: Facebook and Instagram.

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