Google’s second attempt at computer glasses translates conversations in real time

May 11 (Reuters) – It’s hard to see science-fiction in Google’s second attempt at glasses with built-in computers.

A decade after the introduction of Google Glass, an edgy, sci-fi-looking addition that filmed wearers but raised concerns about privacy and received low marks for the design, Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL.O ) unit previewed one on Wednesday. An as-yet-unknown pair of standard-looking glasses that display conversational translations in real time and show no camera signal.

The new augmented-reality pair of glasses was one of several long-term products Google unveiled at its annual Google I/O developer conference, aimed at bringing exploration, maps and other services to the real world and the company’s digital universe the latest. Progress is to be used. in artificial intelligence.

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Eddie Chung, director of product management at Google, said, “What we’re working on is technology that will enable us to break down language barriers, put years of research into Google Translate, and bring that into specs. ” World.”

Selling more hardware could help Google increase profits by keeping users in its technology network, where it split advertising sales with device makers such as Apple Inc (AAPL.O) and Samsung Electronics CO (005930.KS). Those who help in the delivery of its services.

Google also teased a tablet to launch in 2023 and a smartwatch to go on sale later this year, as it revealed Apple’s strategy to offer a group of comparable products.

But Google’s hardware business remains small, with a global market share in smartphones, for example, less than 1%, according to researcher IDC. Google’s dominance in mobile software and other areas, along with ongoing antitrust investigations around the world, recently launched challengers threaten to limit the company’s ability to gain steam in new ventures.

Shares of Alphabet fell 0.7% on Wednesday.

The reveal of the new specs reflects the company’s growing caution amid more scrutiny over Big Tech. When Google Glass was demonstrated at I/O in 2012, skydivers used it to live stream a jump over a San Francisco building, the company receiving special air clearance for the stunt.

This time around, Google showed off just a video of its prototype, showcasing translations for conversations involving English, Mandarin, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

It did not specify a release date or immediately confirm whether the device lacks a camera.

Aside from gadgets, Google previously demonstrated a feature that would eventually let users take video of store shelves lined with wine bottles and allow the Search app to perform tasks such as automatically identifying options from black-owned wineries. used to ask for

Similarly, later this year users will be able to snap a photo of a product and locate nearby stores where it is available.

Also later this year, Maps will launch an immersive view for some large cities that fuses Street View and aerial images “to create a rich, digital model of the world,” Google said.

new hardware

The tablet reversed Google’s decision to abandon making its own after poor sales three years ago. According to IDC, it shipped just 500,000 of those units.

Rick Osterloh, Google’s senior vice president for devices and services, told reporters that the new tablet follows increased user interest and was announced soon enough to inform buyers considering alternatives.

He said the Pixel Watch, which won’t be compatible with Apple’s iPhones, will attract different users than devices from Google’s Fitbit, which deals with health and fitness and was bought for $2.1 billion last year.

Among other announcements, a relaunched Google Wallet app will virtually store drivers’ licenses in some regions of the United States later this year, a feature Apple introduced to Arizona on its iPhones in March. It reflects.

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Reporting by Paresh Dave in Oakland, Calif., and Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru. Editing by Paul Simao, Matthew Lewis, Nick Ziminsky and Bernard Orrey

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