Are you an adventure enthusiast, or a smart tech fan?
Smart Glasses, otherwise known as Digital Eye Glasses are computer-supported sunglasses designed with the ability to display more information than what your naked eye can see.
Most smart glasses have incorporated Augmented Reality Technology (ART) which is a future technology.
For starters, smart glasses can be used by travel enthusiasts to obtain maps while still on the move. Some smart glasses are loaded with internet capabilities and smart applications to help load information on command from a remote source—displayed in front of the wearer through the Optical Head-Mounted Display (OHMD).
Earlier versions would be used as front end displays for remote computers or systems over the internet or Wi-Fi connections. Recent developments have smart features such as embedded mobile applications, hands-free phone commands, and can act on touch and voice commands.
If you are looking to ease your presentation hustle, this is your best bet. You can easily refer to notes wirelessly instead of manually looking from the computer.
Better still, if you are a fitness junkie, you can use this wonderful innovation to navigate unfamiliar tracks and simultaneously record your calorie and activity log.
You now have an idea of what smart glasses are all about. Spare a few bucks for this invention and you will be way ahead of the pack.
Whether your purpose for these smart glasses is navigation, tracking, communication or security reasons, here’s a list of the 7 best smart glasses in the market for you.
Our Top 7 Picks
1. Epson Moverio BT-200
One of the prominent features of Moverio smart glasses is the ability to magnify small objects. Fitted with a front 5MP camera, it records and monitors drone activity which is viewed with the help of a glass display of 1280*720 pixels.
These smart glasses are considered suitable for scientific experiments and medical research.
This Epson device is powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor with 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage with and an optional additional data slot of 32GB. It has Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth option, and a GPS tracker. It has the latest 5.1 android operating system and additional features such as a web browser, Moverio app, and a calculator.
Pros
- Camera feature.
- Inclusive of 2 lithium-ion batteries.
- Enables video calling.
- Gesture controls.
- Both video and audio recording.
Cons
- Its 1 pound weight is not friendly.
2. WISEUP Wearable Hidden Camera Glasses
The WISEUP Wearable Camera Glasses is a high ranking smart glass due to its incognito ability. With a tiny camera fitted, audio and video recording feature enabled and 51g lightweight, you can wear them as ordinary glasses without raising any suspicion.
Fitted with a 5.0 MP camera, it offers a high video quality of 720P with an output format of AVI. The storage capacity is 16GB via a mini USB slot with an additional extra storage of 32GB. The lithium battery used has a capacity of 650mAh that can run for 100min.
Pros
- Real-time video recording.
- It can compress large video files into a small version of M-JPEG.
- It does not attract unnecessary attention.
- A low-cost option for a few basic features.
Cons
- It does not have internet and Wi-Fi capabilities.
3. Google Glass Explorer Edition
This is the best suit for organizational needs—to minimize disruptions, share skills, communicate with others, watch training videos and live stream. It is equipped with an Intel Atom processor; Wi-Fi enabled, has 16GB storage and is powered by the Android operating system. The Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 feature provides an extended battery life. It is enabled to accept voice command, touch and hand gesture in its user interface.
Pros
- More affordable yet has numerous features.
- 36g light-weight model.
- Compatible with internet features.
- Longer battery life.
- It can be managed using mobile application software.
- Fast processor.
Cons
- Easily recognizable.
4. Gogloo E6 Camera Sunglasses
If you want to capture special moments and still enjoy them later, then the Gogloo E6 Camera Sunglasses are the real deal. They are fitted with a 10MP camera with a capability to record 1080P videos.
These 49 g smart glasses run on Android, Mac Os, Win7, Win8 or Windows XP operating systems. They support micro-USB and can detect up to 64GB HS micro-sd card. They have lenses that help block UV light and are antiglare.
They come with a built-in battery that can record up to 90 minutes on a single charge.
Pros
- Light in weight and durable.
- Perfect for sports activities like golf, fishing, cycling, wild hunting, and other extreme sports.
- Certified for safety standards.
- Dual stereo microphones for enhanced noise reduction.
- Comfortable to wear.
- Impact-resistant.
- 1-year warranty.
Cons
- Relatively wide earpiece that tends to obstruct rearview.
5. OHO Sunshine Water Proof Sunglasses
This is a perfect sporting companion as it has an inbuilt camera to help record the moments. It produces a high video quality of 1080P which can be stored in the 32GB inbuilt memory. It runs on either Windows me/2000/8.1/Mac OS/2003, 8 and 8.1 and XP. It is IP66 water protected making it the ultimate surfing companion.
Pros
- One-touch button operation.
- Video playback capability.
- Can resist the shock of impact.
- Enhanced video storage of up to 32GB.
- 1-year warranty.
- Long battery life of up to 1 hour.
Cons
- It does not have internet or Wi-Fi capabilities.
6. Vuzix Blade AR Smart Glasses
This is a 3.36 ounce device powered by the Android operating system. It is made like a real digital device and has features such as browsers, video platforms, social media and streaming capabilities. It can connect or transfer data through micro-USB, blue tooth or wireless through Wi-Fi. Its battery can last 2 hours streaming content online and 35 minutes doing video recording.
Pros
- Seamlessly connects with other devices.
- Can gather live data.
- Compatible with other internet-enabled devices.
Cons
- It is easily recognized when won and has a relatively low battery life.
7. Samsung SSG5100GB 3D Active Glasses
This smart glass is designed for ultimate movie and video viewing experience. It is compatible with Samsung 3D Smart TVs. It is a light device –o.8ounces– with over 70 Hours viewing per charge. These glasses project a 1080P high-quality image and are powered by CR1620 3V Lithium coin-like battery.
Pros
- Offered with a 1-year warranty.
- They have a wireless connection capability via Bluetooth.
- Compatible with a big range of Samsung TV sets and other TV brands.
- Extremely comfortable.
Cons
- If used for other purposes apart from 3D viewing, your eyes may suffer damage.
How to choose the best smart glasses
These are the factors to consider before buying any smart glasses:
Nature of use
If you are a businessman or a government official, the suitable smart glass may not fit the same profile as that of a sports lover. Government intelligence personnel are well suited by a smart glass with incognito features such as the WISEUP Wearable Hidden Camera Glasses.
Technology Level
A device with advanced features such as internet connectivity, Wi-Fi capability, web browser, access to video streaming and other smart features is more suitable to the modern world. It is also wise to consider the ability to link it to an external PC as this can help receive and download data as well.
Storage Capacity
A device with a high storage capacity; say over 32GB means that videos recorded will have temporary storage before being sent to the servers or remote computers. It is advantageous if such smart glasses have additional optional storage.
Cost
Smart glasses may range from as low as $200 to as high as $1350. Therefore, you should be guided by your personal budget or your organization’s financial capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
What can smart glasses do?
Smart glasses offer a connection of the human eye to the computer world. They can offer virtual assistance to the user either by guiding them through navigation links, accepting voice prompts, accessing files and evaluating progress. They are powered by smart sensors, internet connection, and display features to seamlessly connect to other powerful remote technologies.
How much do smart glasses cost?
Smart glasses’ cost varies depending on the features and the level of technology in place. Recently Google announced a smart glass costing a whopping $999—Enterprise Edition 2 that has a longer battery life, smaller in size and is built on an android platform.
Other expensive models include the Microsoft HoloLens 2 gadget which may cost up to $3,500. However, there are cheaper models with fewer features such as the Zungle and Bose that cost as low as $200—though they don’t have video support.
What are the best smart glasses?
For you to select the ultimate smart glasses, the above write-up may form a good selection criterion for your choice. Be sure to go for one that has features most relatable to your organization’s goals or needs.
The ultimate smart glasses should have up-to-date technology such as a sleek design, extended storage capacity, the best Wi-Fi and blue-tooth connection and other exciting add-ons.
What do Google glasses do?
Google Glasses have been designed as lightweight and are well-advanced in features. They are fitted with a tiny projector, hidden camera, recording device and have advanced sensors that accept voice or hand gestures.
Google glasses can record events, take real-time pictures, take prompts and convey the gathered data to external devices for processing or storage. These glasses could be used by Floor managers in manufacturing companies to communicate in real-time with the top management during board meetings.
How do you control Google glasses?
Google glasses can be controlled either by the head, touch or hand gestures. For head gesture, you can tilt your head up to turn the device display on and nodding again to turn it off. Using your finger you can swipe it across to navigate the menu available. Alternatively, using voice command- the glasses have an embedded microphone that picks the voice prompts. The glasses have touch buttons in the frame that can pick prompts as well.
What is Internet glass?
Internet glass is also a term commonly used to refer to smart glasses. They are fitted with Wi-Fi capabilities, internet connections, smart mobile applications, and cloud computing services all intended to make them smart devices. The recently launched Google glass has an android operating system to further enhance its ability as a micro-computer.
Who invented smart glasses?
The first of its kind smart glass was invented by David Evans and Ivan Sutherland in 1958.
You mean all those years ago?
Yes! A whopping 50 years ago!
They wanted people to see the virtual world through an extra eye. This concept was further developed by Steve Mann and Steven Feiner in 1980. The concept has been developed over the years with continued additions to fit into the current technology age.
Conclusion
Smart glasses are excellent gadgets—which if acquired—can be a great addition to your life.
With the ability to record, capture images, communicate wirelessly with other devices, pick and drop calls; smart glasses are perfect virtual assistants.
For extreme sports lovers, these gadgets add a touch of class and data insights to your activity. Imagine getting real-time updates on challenges ahead or being offered navigation assistance—this is what Augmented Reality smart glasses can achieve for you.
Smart glasses such as the Google Enterprise Edition have made possible a marvelous working culture for employees, managers and business owners. Communication has been enhanced; monitoring made to be fun and real-time decisions made with live evidence.
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