Later this year, Facebook will release its first ever smart glasses, which incorporate AR or augmented reality experience. With good implementation, smart glasses can be much more intuitive to use than smartphones. Facebook will also incorporate artificial intelligence to deliver relevant and usable information to users. We will see whether stylish and lightweight pair of glasses will become as ubiquitous as smartphones in the future. In fact, there are expectations that smart glasses can replace smartphones for users who need more basic mobile functionality, such as making calls and getting relevant information. It is technologically possible for users to use verbal commands and smart glasses will project relevant information on lenses. This means, rich virtual and 3D information will be within our arm’s reach. Compared to smartphones, the real-life world will still be present around and your attention will remain on the surrounding. You no longer need to choose between digital realm and the real world. Major companies seem to have different approaches about their smart glasses.
Recently, Facebook publishes concept for its future smart glasses, including the use of special gloves for control. These gloves may not be suitable for casual social events, but they can make users more productive at home and at work. As an example, these gloves allow users to type text using virtual keyboards. It will be easier for users to respond to instant messages and email, because they can send replies directly. These gloves allow users to feel more physically involved. These gloves will become direct interface between physical and digital worlds. Through implementation of AI technology, it should be easy to gain information and perform commands with these gloves as well. 3D information can also be within reach.
With special gloves, users can get VR functionality, although they use a lightweight AR wearable. It is possible to interact with overlaid objects that are visible through their smart glasses. It means, Facebook smart glasses can turn into a lite VR wearable while still allowing users to get immersed with the real-life surrounding. If you are a regular user of VR content, you won’t need to choose between digital and real world. It could be true that Facebook smart glasses won’t allow you to play immersive 3D games like just like what you get from VR systems. Put simply, it would be nice to have some VR features while you are using an AR wearable.
Facebook smart glasses will be a more personal wearable and the social media giant is planning to use direct interface with brain to replace touchscreen display, trackpad or mouse. With this type of input, users can have direct access to information and they can get immediate results. Facebook has acquired a US start-up called CTRL Labs that develop a technology to control virtual objects with muscle signals. It is exploring the possibility to use spinal cord and brain as inputs for AR wearables. If true, this will make smart glasses become much more versatile, because you can control virtual objects and get information, without saying anything or moving your hands.
