Google Reportedly working on its own augmented reality (AR) smart glasses, According to a New York Times report, Google is “nurturing a new project” under which it is “working on a new iteration of smart glasses.”
The report states that the latest project was the result of the acquisition of Answer – A pioneer in human computer interface and smart glasses. The acquisition was done in 2020. No details of the project are known yet. It’s too early to say whether Google plans to release a stopgap headset or whether it’s focused solely on the smart glass form factor.
It is worth noting that when Google acquired North last year, the Canadian company stopped selling Focal 1.0 and decided to cancel Focal 2.0. Many of the leads and engineers who previously worked with North are now part of Google’s Devices and Services division that is responsible for Pixel, Nest and other hardware. This organizational shift makes sense ahead of the consumer product. Also, the team that made the Augmented Reality OS has also been placed under Devices & Services.
Not just Google, but other tech giants are also working on mixed reality hardware. Apple, for one, has been working on its mixed reality headset for a long time. It is rumored that the Cupertino-based company is planning to unveil the device by next year. Mixed reality headsets, rumors say, could be used for AR development in addition to virtual reality, through the use of pass-through cameras where users can view the real world via a video feed rather than directly. META is also working on a similar project for 2022 called Project Cambria.
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