There are a few very different pathways to building a product, and we gotta applaud the developers taking care to take the open-source path. Today’s highlight is [Mentra], who is releasing an open-source smart glasses OS for their own and others’ devices, letting you develop your smart glasses ideas just once, a single codebase applicable for multiple models.
Currently, the compatibility list covers four models, two of them Mentra’s (Live and Mach 1), one from Vuzix (Z100), and one from Even Realities (G1) — some display-only, and some recording-only. The app store already has a few apps that cover the basics, the repository looks lively, and if the openness is anything to go by, our guess is that we’re sure to see more.
While smart glasses have their critics, many of those stem from closed-source software running on them, so the ability to easily develop your own is always welcome, and it’s even better to see it done in an open, cross-compatible manner. Want to learn more about the underlying tech? Check out this iFixit coverage of Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses display technology.
No. This is an idea that simply needs to die.
I’m quite curious about the potential uses are for these. Where the listed examples are for recording people, doxing people, or cheating on poker, etc. Meta also says their glasses can help with translations, or have their AI integrated. ‘Meta what am I looking at?’ or something. For which both, you could just have used a smartphone.
I didn’t realize that these smart glasses, and Meta’s current version doesn’t have a screen. Which makes it a much tougher sell, for me.
Compatible phones either have a camera but no screen, or a screen but no camera. To develop a rich AI experience, a camera + screen + microphone is required. Adding a speaker would make it perfect.
Everything is getting smaller. You think a camera has to stay big and make silly noises as it works? I’m getting more questions now about my rear view mirror on my glasses anyway.
Be careful his necktie is really a camera! 58 year old lyrics. Simon & Garfunkel.
OSS great! Get on it.
pedantic police here… that’s “bowtie” ;). Great song!
The more smart glasses I see the more I think Google Glass got it right first time for my usage. A head mounted camera, display and speakers that looks like a tool instead of a normal set of glasses and has a USB C port for continuous usage with a big external battery pack.
I can’t see how Mentra charges, only battery life is mentioned. Can it be used continuously?