https://tech.fb.com/ray-ban-and-facebook-introduce-ray-ban-stories-first-generation-smart-glasses/
Facebook has announced the "Ray-Ban Stories" smart glasses in collaboration with sunglasses brand Ray-Ban, as previously announced. Immediately after that, China's Xiaomi also announced the smart glasses "Xiaomi Smart Glasses", and the market is suddenly noisy.
Smart glasses without display
https://tech.fb.com/ray-ban-and-facebook-introduce-ray-ban-stories-first-generation-smart-glasses/
Smart glasses that provide information display and communication functions by mounting a small PC on a glasses-type device. The Ray-Ban Stories announced by Facebook will not be equipped with a display device such as a display, but will be used by voice commands or physical button operations instead.
The feature of the product is that it has two 5-megapixel cameras in the corner of the main body. You can shoot videos and still images with this camera, save them on your smartphone, or share them with SNS services. In addition, privacy is also taken into consideration, such as the LED light shining to inform the surroundings when shooting.
Speakers are mounted on the temples of the glasses, so you can enjoy playing music. It also has a microphone so you can make phone calls. Furthermore, as it bears the Ray-Ban brand, it comes in four frame shapes and five color variations. Not only colored sunglasses but also prescription lenses are available.
Orthodox multifunction model
https://blog.mi.com/en/2021/09/14/xiaomi-unveils-xiaomi-smart-glasses/
On the other hand, Xiaomi Smart Glasses announced by Xiaomi has a built-in display in the lens part on the right side. Although it is a monochrome display, it can display notifications from smartphones and navigation guidance.
Xiaomi Smart Glasses is also equipped with a 5 million pixel camera in the main body, and it is possible to take pictures and videos. Furthermore, the characters in the camera frame can be read, translated, and displayed on the display. This point makes full use of the strength of the built-in display in the lens.
Android is installed in the OS, and the original voice assistant "Xiao Ai" can be used. You can also use the microphone and speaker to play music and use the telephone function. At the moment, the sales time and price of Xiaomi Smart Glasses have not been announced, but I would like to expect it to appear as a smart glass that is multifunctional and has excellent cost performance.
Overcoming failure
https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/biz/product/xr/googleglass/
In this way, new products are appearing one after another, but in fact, Google is the first to launch products and experience painful failures. In 2012, the company announced "Google Glass" equipped with a prismatic display. Sales to developers began in 2013, and a model for the general public was planned to appear eventually, but the plan was finally over.
Reasons for Google Glass's failure include poor performance and privacy concerns. In short, the product was launched too early. But now, nine years after the announcement of the first Google Glass, the performance of wearable devices has evolved dramatically. Society is also ready to accept such devices.
Once smartphones and then smartwatches came out, many couldn't understand their raison d'etre. But now, it has become a natural tool in our daily lives. For smart glasses, the past 10 years have been a preparation period, and it may be that they are about to reach the general market.
Sentence / Naoki Tsukamoto
