Much ado has been made about Google’s Project Glass over the past year. Some think of it as a nifty gadget in the making, while others consider it a game-changer. But almost everyone agrees that having smartphone capabilities incorporated into your eyeglasses opens mobile platforms up in an entirely new way.
Now, it seems Microsoft is planning competition in the augmented reality market.
Continue reading to find out more … and why it probably doesn’t matter.
A New Patent
Recently Microsoft filed a new patent. That’s not surprising – patents are filed all the time. But this one seems to be a direct competitor to beta product once known as “Google Glasses”. You can check out the patent filing here.
It seems that Microsoft’s latest idea, generically dubbed “EVENT AUGMENTATION WITH REAL-TIME INFORMATION”, isn’t designed to give users an enhanced walking experience in everyday life. Instead, the project focuses on live sporting events.
Likely, this is just the first step in a more comprehensive project designed to directly compete with Google. This patent filing got me excited – but not because I have any plans to ever buy the Microsoft sporting glasses. Instead, I believe this is a sign that we will see several competitors to Project Glass in the marketplace within a few years, working on a variety of platforms.
The patent wars are sure to continue. Yet, it is likely that many third-party products will enter the marketplace, marrying mobile operating systems with personal eye-wear. Already, I can’t wait until my Pebble watch arrives in the mail (now delayed until January or February). Soon, apps will find their way into every aspect of our lives.
[Image via uspto.gov]
Cecily Watson says
I think this will be a really great technology once it is developed well. This glasses have really great potential and I cannot wait to see the actual.