Google does it again: augmented reality is now a real possibility

By Joey McMurry

Google has just unveiled glasses that make augmented reality possible.

Umm..... What?

Yeah, that was my reaction.

I could go into tons of detail about everything these glasses can do, but I think Google does a pretty good job in this video:



Well, that was cool. Cool may even be an understatement.

It's amazing how fast technology has grown in the last few years. Really, in the last decade. Ten years ago, cell phones had antennas. Now, cell phones aren't even definable by "a device that makes calls." Oh no, phones have lept to a whole new level and have thus been deemed "smart phones." Well, now Google seems to be changing that definition. Who needs to have a phone in their pocket when they can wear a pair of glasses that does everything a smart phone does and more?

The glasses, or Project Glass as Google has named them, use technology that place pixels on our eyes. Thus, there are no lenses. Instead, the glasses look like something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie with the images appearing to just the person wearing the glasses rather than on a screen everyone can see. Basically, it's a heads-up display similar to those appearing in first-person video games.

For Stark Trek fans out there, the glasses are reminiscent of Geordi LaForge's visor. Perhaps technology is beginning to catch up to the Star Trek prediction of what 24th century technology could be. But enough of the Trekkie talk.

Here's what the glasses look like:

Kind of cool in a futuristic sort of way. Stylish enough to wear them?
 
These glasses aren't just for the "cool" effect, either. They are being designed with an integrated Android operating system and will do pretty much everything an Android phone does. Obviously there will be more development on what exactly the glasses will do (apps, upgrades, etc.) but the outlook is certainly positive. They will use 3G and 4G data services, reportedly, to use many of the cool features you saw in the video.

In any case, this could perhaps be the biggest leap in technology in the last decade because it forces society to finally move away from continuously redefining what a phone is. Instead, everyone will have a new definition of glasses. Not to mention the fact that virtual reality has been a technological goal for as long as most people can remember. This may very well be the beginning of a new digital evolution.

Oh, by the way, there are rumors swirling around that the first models may be available for public purchase late this year. Google is inviting feedback on the new project, and their Google+ page can be found here.

So is this technology something you would use? Is it practical? Leave your thoughts below!