If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SPY.com may receive an affiliate commission.
Google I/O has always been heavy with software and developer news, but this year’s annual event was surprisingly packed with hardware-related announcements. We were already salivating over the Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel 6a announcements, both coming out soon, but Google saved one of the biggest surprises for the end with a glimpse into the future.
that sneak peek In the future, though, Google brings back memories of Glass as the company’s next project may finally make augmented reality a technological revolution like how smartphones changed everything. There’s been a lot of talk about virtual, augmented and mixed realities, but despite efforts from companies like Meta and HTC, both of which have their own virtual reality systems, consumer adoption hasn’t reached that critical level.
Google may be changing that trajectory.
Why we’re excited about Google’s AR glasses
Even though we didn’t see an actual pair of AR glasses, Google instead showed off a video of what looks like a pair of AR glasses that can translate languages in real time. Google Translate is one of the company’s flagship services, providing users with features like live language translation in apps and even real-time translation with the Google Assistant smart display.
This pair of AR glasses takes things to the next level as it enables the person wearing them to see the translation in real time. The video shows how augmented reality technology can display the translation through glasses so that you don’t lose sight of the person you’re talking to.
It may very well break down the language barrier, separating us from how we usually use our smartphones to translate. Even though Google’s video display didn’t go into much detail about what else it can do, we’d suspect these AR glasses would come with integrated speakers much like those used by many smart Bluetooth sunglasses on the market. Like open audio technology. Imagine being able to not only see the translation in real time, but also to hear it through glasses.
courtesy of google
While companies like Meta (Facebook) have focused their efforts on bringing users into a complete virtual reality world with the Metaverse, Google’s approach aims to bring some of those virtual elements into the natural world. That’s exactly what Augmented Reality is, which enriches our natural world with digital elements.
There are so many practical applications at stake here that could make these fully realized AR glasses a game-changer. No one has really been able to sell consumers on the benefits of augmented reality, but if Google’s teasers are any indication, the next technological revolution may be coming sooner than we think. We’re all excited about it, but Google didn’t provide any details on whether the project would yield an actual product.
Looking for more from SPY?
Best gaming laptops you can buy in 2022
