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Google's Project Glass... it's spreading (sample video)

Richard Lawler — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:29:00 EST

Now, we're not saying Google's elite are actually aliens managing human social affairs, but if you were our reader Ben who ran into a crew of Project Glass-equipped Googlers breaking for drinks at a Los Gatos wine bar, it might seem like a possibility. Beyond filing tons of paperwork, the team is clearly expanding quickly and most recently took part in the Google+ photographer's conference to show off what POV pictures and video (even if that's most of the functionality so far) could add to the world of photography. They wouldn't let Ben try on a pair, but Vic Gundotra reiterated that it was positioned as not to interfere with conversations, and make images appear to be floating in front of your eye. There's video of the photography presentation after the break (jump to about 45 minutes for the first person pics and video), as well as a few more pictures on Google+, but we'd keep a pair of special black sunglasses and bubblegum handy just in case.

[Thanks, Ben]

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Google's Project Glass... it's spreading (sample video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 05:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google patent application could give Project Glass one true ring controller to rule them all

Jon Fingas — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 EST

Let's face it: right now, the head nods and other rudimentary controls of Google's Project Glass are mostly useful for looking good, sharing photos and not much else. A US patent application submitted last September and just now published, however, raises the possibility of more sophisticated control coming from your hands. A ring, a bracelet or a even a fake fingernail with an infrared-reflective layer would serve as a gesture control marker for a receiver on heads-up display glasses. Having this extra control would give the glasses-mounted computing room to grow by learning gestures, and it could even depend on multiple ornaments for more sophisticated commands -- at least, if you don't mind looking like a very nerdy Liberace. We can imagine the headaches a hand-based method might cause for very enthusiastic talkers, among other possible hiccups, so don't be surprised if Project Glass goes without any kind of ring input. That said, we suspect that Sauron would approve.

Google patent application could give Project Glass one true ring controller to rule them all originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google's Project Glass prototypes can transfer still images, do little else

Zach Honig — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:15:00 EST

This was probably a given, but there won't be any freakishly detailed social profile overlay as you pass strangers on the street in the initial iteration of "Google Glasses." Instead, current prototype functionality includes features like photo sharing (directly from the eyewear to Google+), and... well, that could be it. The in-your-face functionality that we saw in the original Google teaser could come "one day," as the video title itself reveals, but we certainly won't be creepin' on random friends-to-be on sidewalks, trains and parties for some time to come. And just in case you're curious to see what you won't be doing with Project Glass this year, Google's original teaser is after the break, with a popular parody vid tossed in below for good measure.

Continue reading Google's Project Glass prototypes can transfer still images, do little else

Google's Project Glass prototypes can transfer still images, do little else originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer touts world's first car GPS with augmented reality HUD (video)

Jon Fingas — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:30:00 EST

We've seen augmented reality, and GPS with augmented reality, but we haven't seen the two combined at the front of a car's windshield. A pair of Cyber Navi rigs from Pioneer promise to change all that, using an add-on, laser-projected heads-up display from MicroVision that shows driving directions just above the road itself, making sure that you focus on what's in front rather than squinting at the LCD off to the side. If you do need to look at that LCD, however, you'll get yet another augmented reality view if your car has a camera up front, more detail about the route and a new speed limit sign alert system. The usual rounds of DVD media, iPhone/iPod playback and 1Seg over-the-air TV tuning are also on tap. Buying either of the new HUD-equipped GPS units will require a deep wallet, some patience and an airplane trip to Japan, however -- the 2-DIN ZH99 and dual 1-DIN VH99 cost ¥300,000 and ¥320,000 ($3,770 and $4,021) respectively, and their late July release isn't known to include the US at this stage.

Continue reading Pioneer touts world's first car GPS with augmented reality HUD (video)

Pioneer touts world's first car GPS with augmented reality HUD (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin review

Terrence O'Brien — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:00 EST

With roughly 98 percent of the desktop and laptop market spoken for, you'd be forgiven for thinking your only choices for powering your computer were Windows or Mac OS X. There is another way, though. Linux may only run on a tiny sliver of consumer PCs, but the number is growing and one of the biggest players propelling its popularity is Ubuntu. Since bursting on the scene eight years ago, the distro has grown to dominate the desktop Linux market and made plenty of fans (and a few detractors) along the way. Truth is, Ubuntu is completely unique and, at least compared to other distros out there, very user-friendly. It also happens to have a very active community of developers and users willing to lend help to those in need, which makes it appealing to Linux vets, enterprise users and *nix n00bs alike.

Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin is part of the company's LTS or Long Term Support series, and is guaranteed for five years of support through Canonical. That means the company is focusing less on cramming new features into this release and more on making it as stable as possible. So, if you're familiar with Ubuntu, you won't find much here that will blow your mind. Of course, the real question is whether or not the aubergine-loving open-source OS is for you, not whether there's enough new tweaks to fill a book. So, without further ado, we present Ubuntu 12.04: the review. Join us after the break, won't you?

Gallery: Ubuntu 12.04 review

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Ubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Glass makes a TV appearance on Charlie Rose, flashes its rear for the cameras

Richard Lawler — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:02:00 EST

Google fellow, founder of Project X and self-driving car pioneer Sebastian Thrun became the latest to publicly rock a Project Glass prototype (after company co-founder Sergey Brin) on a recent episode of Charlie Rose, and managed to show off a whole new side of the project in the process. While the 19-minute interview was mostly unremarkable product-wise with a focus on higher education and his Udacity project, we did get to see him take a picture of the host (about a minute in) by tapping it, then posting it on Google+ by nodding twice. Also, as Electronista points out, in a brief reverse shot (17:20) of Thrun we see for the first time what appears to be a small battery pack / transmitter portion lodged behind his ear. Of course, we're still not any closer to rocking the latest in bionic man-chic ourselves, but at least we can start getting fitted for one now.

Project Glass makes a TV appearance on Charlie Rose, flashes its rear for the cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin hits the web, with HUD in tow

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:40:00 EST

It's here! Precise Pangolin or, as it's officially known, Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. Canonical's latest is now available in its final(ish) form and ready for you to download, burn and install. While LTS (Long Term Support) releases are generally more conservative in their application of new features, Pangolin does include some rather notable tweaks. The most immediately noticeable will be the new log in screen which, while largely the same, does have the slick new trick of changing wall papers to match the selected user. A more subtle change is revealed once you've logged on and press alt -- HUD. The new search-based menu system is quite a departure from traditional interaction models, and one that will come as a relief to those who constantly forget where a particular option is buried. Perhaps the most welcome change, though, is the vastly improved performance and power management. Ubuntu, for all of its finer points, has never been particularly battery friendly. But Canonical is promising that is going to change. We'll have to wait to find out once we get this bad boy installed on some machines of our own. You know the drill, hit up the source link to download it for yourself, for free.

Update: Well, looks like all you Ubuntu fanatics have taken out the site temporarily. We're sure it'll be back soon but, in the meantime, you can still download the latest version of the OS here (magnet link).

Update 2: And they're back! Also, we've now got PR after the break.

Continue reading Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin hits the web, with HUD in tow

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Precise Pangolin hits the web, with HUD in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA realizes it needs contact lenses, opts for those nice AR tinted ones (video)

Sharif Sakr — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:31:00 EST

DARPA saw the battlefield potential in AR glasses ages ago, when even Sergey Brin was happy to wear regular Ray-Bans. It's now stepped up its investment, giving more cash to one of its research contractors -- a company called Innovega -- to produce prototype contact lenses that could make military wearable HUDs smaller and less conspicuous. Innovega's iOptik lenses don't actually include a display, but rather allow the human eye to focus on an image from a separate accessory that sits right up close to the eyeball. The lenses have different zones that give the wearer multiple areas of focus, so they can see the overlaid augmented reality HUD -- such as a feed from an overhead drone -- but also warlike events going on in the immediate environment. Judging from the video after the break, however, calling them plain 'bifocals' might be taboo.

Continue reading DARPA realizes it needs contact lenses, opts for those nice AR tinted ones (video)

DARPA realizes it needs contact lenses, opts for those nice AR tinted ones (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 05:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Glass team member shows off mockup for glasses-wearers, says it's for 'everyone'

Richard Lawler — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:29:00 EST

While Google isn't ready to answer all of the questions we have about its Project Glass concept yet, a member of the team has chimed in on one of the most common questions -- could it work even the user wears prescription glasses? Industrial designer Isabelle Olsson says the team ideally wants it to work for everyone, and posted a photo of the Glass-on-glasses mockup shown above to her Google+ page. Unless you're a Google exec this doesn't bring you any closer to going retinas-on with the heads-up display / augmented reality project yourself, but hopefully it keeps the dream alive even for the near / far sighted among us.

Project Glass team member shows off mockup for glasses-wearers, says it's for 'everyone' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google co-founder Sergey Brin spotted wearing Project Glass prototype IRL

Richard Lawler — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:02:00 EST

Wondering what it might be like to sport Google's Project Glass augmented reality HUD in your daily life? It would appear company co-founder Sergey Brin already knows, as he was spotted by tech pundits Robert Scoble and Thomas Hawk rocking a prototype at a Dining in the Dark charity event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Scoble has already posted a couple of pictures with Brin on Google+, mentioning more photos would be forthcoming from Hawk after the event concluded and that he'd heard other people, including Google exec Vic Gundotra, have the devices already. For now he mentions the glasses appeared to be "self contained" and that he could see a blueish light flashing on Brin's eyes. Hit the source link for more pics and details, we'll let you know if we find out more later -- details on where to snag a set may remain confidential until we've had a chance to try them on first, of course.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin spotted wearing Project Glass prototype IRL originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:06:00 EST

The Carl Zeiss Cinemizer OLED has been a long time in the making -- we first heard about the video glasses at Macworld in 2008 -- but the company has yet to push the head-mounted display past the prototype phase. We stumbled upon Zeiss' booth here at CeBIT, where we found a version of the glasses that look mighty similar to the mock-up we saw in marketing materials from 2010, but are now equipped with a pair of head-tracking modules to expand the yet-to-be released marvel's practicality. With head-tracking now on board, the Cinemizer can theoretically appeal to gamers, architects, even educators, who can use the glasses in the classroom.

We took a look at an Inreal CAD app demo that lets the wearer navigate a yet-unbuilt house, walking through virtual rooms (a joystick is used for forward motion, so you won't be accidentally walking into physical walls) as you judge paint colors, furniture placement and try to convince your significant other that there really is room for a 65-inch HDTV. The tracking modules are located behind the ear rests on each side of the OLED glasses, which have seen a slight boost in resolution since we last heard about them, jumping from VGA to 870 x 500 pixels in each OLED panel. Tracking was responsive and accurate -- the experience of walking around a room felt almost lifelike. What's even more exciting than the device's performance is that we may finally see these hit stores in 2012, with a tentative summer ship date. And, while still a pricey addition to your display collection, the Cinemizer lands on the inexpensive end of the Zeiss product scale, ringing up at €649 (about $850), plus another €100 for the tracking hardware. Jump past the break to see it in action.

Gallery: Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on

Continue reading Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video)

Zeiss Cinemizer OLED with head-tracking hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYT: Google to sell Android-based heads-up display glasses this year

Donald Melanson — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:44:00 EST

It's not the first time that rumors have surfaced of Google working on some heads-up display glasses (9 to 5 Google first raised the possibility late last year), but The New York Times is now reporting that the company is not only working on them, but that it's set to release them by the end of this year. Citing "several Google employees familiar with the project," the paper's Nick Bilton reports that the glasses will be based on Android, pack 3G or 4G connectivity, plus GPS and a range of sensors, and cost "around the price of current smartphones," or somewhere between $250 and $600. They're also said to include a low-resolution camera that can monitor your surroundings in real time and overlay relevant information, although Google is said to be paying attention to potential privacy concerns, and "wants to ensure that people know if they are being recorded by someone wearing a pair of glasses with a built-in camera."

What's more, the Times says that none other than Sergey Brin is a "key leader" on the project, with another being Google engineer Steve Lee, the creator of Latitude. Notably, Bilton also says that Google sees the project as an "experiment that anyone will be able to join," and that the company is not currently thinking about potential business models for the glasses, which could suggest that they may be more of a small-scale hobby than part of a major push into consumer hardware.

NYT: Google to sell Android-based heads-up display glasses this year originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canonical bringing HUD to Ubuntu 12.04, company's assault on menus continues

Andrew Munchbach — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:19:00 EST

Canonical -- shepherd of the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu -- generally doesn't rock the boat with its LTS releases, but things are going to be different this time around. With 12.04LTS the company is taking its assault on contextual menus to the next level by launching HUD. Mark Shuttleworth's obsession with simplifying user interactions began with the controversial Unity UI in Ubuntu 10.10, and will continue with the Head-Up Display. "Menus require you to read a lot when you probably already know what you want," the distro's founder wrote, "HUD solves many of these issues." Those that have used the search feature in Apple's "Help" menus, or launcher apps like Quicksilver and Alfred, will immediately recognize the goal -- to keep a user's fingers on the keyboard, remove clutter and facilitate quick access to available actions. Listening to music and in the mood for The King? Invoke HUD, type the artist's name and you're presented with your Elvis catalog. It also uses "fuzzy matching" and will remember the actions you most commonly perform to further refine your experience. If you're having a hard time envisioning how HUD works, fear not; there is a three minute video demo awaiting your inspection after the break. Death to menus!

Continue reading Canonical bringing HUD to Ubuntu 12.04, company's assault on menus continues

Canonical bringing HUD to Ubuntu 12.04, company's assault on menus continues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi combines HUD with gesture controls, leaves us wanting

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:09:00 EST

Audi is back at CES for the second year in a row, complete with a retina-searing, biggie-sized booth, its next-gen Audi Command interface and a prototype heads-up display that combines three displays with gesture controls.

The setup uses one HUD in front of the driver, another in front of the passenger and yet another display in the middle that's viewable by both people in the front seats. While that's not particularly revolutionary, the transfer of information from one display to the next is. If the passenger looks up a restaurant using their own display, she can swipe it over to the center HUD, providing the driver with navigation instructions. The display tech is still a few years away from production, but don't expect the gesture controls to come along for the ride.

Continue reading Audi combines HUD with gesture controls, leaves us wanting

Audi combines HUD with gesture controls, leaves us wanting originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wind River and Clarion pair up to bring Android to your imported street racer

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:09:00 EST

Wind River, Intel's embedded systems arm has been the subject of some misty-eyed advances from car stereo makers Clarion. Ol' Windy (as we're trying to get it called) will be providing a custom version of its Android implementation to power the forthcoming "Clarion Malaysia IVI" in-vehicle-info-tainment kit. The device will be powered by a Freescale i.MX processor (a heavy duty ARM implementation that can utilize multiple cores) and pack Clarion's usual range of high-end multimedia, GPS and reversing camera functionality. We're excited to see this bad boy roll off the production line, but remember that, at least in Illinois, it's illegal to enjoy the "tainment" part whilst driving.

Continue reading Wind River and Clarion pair up to bring Android to your imported street racer

Wind River and Clarion pair up to bring Android to your imported street racer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuzix Tac-Eye LT offers a clip on HUD for rugged, wannabe cyborgs

Terrence O'Brien — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:50:00 EST

Does a pair of screens placed over your eyes seem like overkill? Well, AR enthusiasts, Vuzix has heard your calls and has introduced the Tac-Eye LT -- a transparent monocular AMOLED display that only puts info in front of one of your peepers. Unlike some of the company's other head-mounted displays, the Tac-Eye isn't aimed at personal entertainment. Instead, Vuzix envisions it being used as a HUD in rugged environments, offering alerts, data and video feeds. The unit comes mounted on a pair of Oakley specs (of course) but it can easily be clipped to a pair of standard safety glasses. The 800 x 600 see-through display comes in three different configurations: VGA-in, video-in or both. The Tac-Eye LT is available throughout Europe now... at least according to the PR. We couldn't find them for sale anywhere, nor could we track down pricing info. Head on after the break for the full release and a few more technical details.

Continue reading Vuzix Tac-Eye LT offers a clip on HUD for rugged, wannabe cyborgs

Vuzix Tac-Eye LT offers a clip on HUD for rugged, wannabe cyborgs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 3 Series gets 'full-color' heads-up display

Dante Cesa — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:15:00 EST

If you've been hankering for some HUD action in your next auto, you'll have one more choice come next spring: the all-new 2012 BMW 3 Series. The launch will mark the first time a heads-up display has made it into Bavaria's volume seller, after debuting as an optional extra eons ago on its 5 Series. Since then, HUDs of limited hues have permeated München's high-end, splaying speed and navigation directions in the line of sight of road-going elites everywhere. However, this iteration is "full-color," which besides pleasing ROY G. BIV fans, makes it "more intuitive," as the company reasons it'll aid drivers in recognizing crucial alerts faster. That, or we're really just a generation away from über cool AR wizardry and movies on our windscreens. Of course, no word on when the 3's brethren will get the technicolor treatment, but we're betting it won't be long, given that's the dash of a 6 Series you see above. PR, per usual, is after the break.

Continue reading BMW 3 Series gets 'full-color' heads-up display

BMW 3 Series gets 'full-color' heads-up display originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video)

Myriam Joire — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:11:00 EST

Yesterday we attended Toyota's Green Drive Expo where we were given the opportunity to take the production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) -- and its smorgasbord of technology -- for a spin. We spent a couple hours ~~driving~~ interfacing with the computers aboard the Advanced model, which besides being outlet-friendly, includes some unique features within the Prius lineup. Explore our gallery below, and hit the break for our impressions and hands-on videos with the latest incarnation of Toyota's iconic vehicle.

Gallery: Toyota Prius production plug-in hybrid

Continue reading Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video)

Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:47:00 EST

The folks at Fraunhofer IPMS have done it! After years of tireless research and promises of Borg-like eyewear, the group has delivered a prototype of the world's first bidirectional, eye-tracking OLED microdisplay (got all that?) at SID 2011. The rig is much like a monocle, except with a transparent OLED display inside, which overlays digital information on top of the reflected light that usually hits your eyeballs. What's more, there are integrated photodetectors inside and special software to monitor the direction of your gaze, allowing you to interact with your newfound augmented reality using only the flick of an eyeball. Fraunhofer foresees joggers taking in movies while out for a run, which sounds more than just a little dangerous. We, on the other hand, envision a world in which the first thing anyone does upon meeting someone new is discreetly check their relationship status on Facebook -- finally fulfilling the social network's full creep potential. One more pic and the poorly translated PR after the break.

Continue reading Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers

Eye-tracking microdisplay delivers Terminator vision, distracts joggers originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brazilian police live out Robocop fantasies, test glasses that scan for criminals

Dana Wollman — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:49:00 EST

In advance of the ~~2016 Olympics~~ 2014 World Cup (and the thousands of visitors it'll draw), military police in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are testing glasses topped with cameras capable of scanning crowds for criminals. The camera analyzes 46,000 biometric points on up to 400 faces per second -- data that then gets compared with a database of up to 13 million people. If a mug happens to match a wanted person or known troublemaker, a red light will appear on a small screen connected to the glasses. And, in a twist particularly befitting Robocop, the glasses can purportedly be calibrated to zoom in from 12 miles away, though they'll typically be used to manage crowds at a much more personal 50 meters (164 feet). For now, local cops will use them to tame crowds (and likely brawls) at soccer matches and even concerts, but hope to eventually monitor those crowded World Cup stands. As for us, we're all kinds of curious. Where do those tens of millions of faces come from -- Santa's naughty and nice list? What if people wear masks? Or sunglasses at night?

Brazilian police live out Robocop fantasies, test glasses that scan for criminals originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DARPA's next-gen wearable display: augmented-reality, holographic sunglasses

Jesse Hicks — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:39:00 EST

The US military seems to adore the idea of wearable displays, hence its continued efforts to make them a reality. We know it seems like just yesterday that DARPA tapped Lockheed Martin to build low-power, lightweight augmented-reality eyewear, and it was actually four full years ago when the wild and wonderous dream was to craft HMDs as small and light as "high-fashion sunglasses." Well, that dream lives on, this time with holograms: the lenscrafters at Vuzix just received a cool million to develop goggles that holographically overlay battlefield data on the wearer's vision. It all sounds very Dead Space (or, you know, like a Top Secret version of Recon-Zeal's Transcend goggles), promising realtime analysis of anything within sight. The company believes the finished product will be no more than 3mm thick and completely transparent when turned off. If all goes well, expect this to trickle down to consumers in short order; soon you'll have full "situational awareness" -- including relationship status -- of that mysterious stranger you've been eyeballing from across the room.

DARPA's next-gen wearable display: augmented-reality, holographic sunglasses originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

Vlad Savov — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:51:00 EST

Galaxy S owners will already be familiar with the awesome power of overlaying text on a live view of their phone's camera feed, but now their iPhone counterparts get to join in the fun as well. MegaReader, an e-reading app that's survived the cutthroat App Store waters long enough to reach version 2.1, has just added a "Heads Up Display" feature to its list of attributes. Its function is to make your iPhone appear transparent, which is achieved by relaying camera images of what's behind the phone to its front. A real life saver, a mere gimmick, or a golden opportunity for a hilarious promo video? Why not all three?

Continue reading MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

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Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video)

Tim Stevens — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:07:00 EST

Looking down at gauges? Officially passe. Check out Pioneer's vision of the future, a prototype that uses an embedded laser projector (a Microvision, as it were). They showed it a little earlier in Japan but this is the first time we've seen it in the US, and we got a chance to try it out. Right now it's just running a static demo, but the idea is that a virtual concierge (represented by our favorite mascot) pops up to give you information, and you could also get streaming video from traffic cameras, all without you having to look down. The information is supposed to come via a smartphone, we learned later an Android one at that, though things are a little vague. A release date is a little vague too, sometime in 2012, though we're told the company is working with car companies. But could we get this by next year? We'll see.

Gallery: Pioneer laser HUD hands-on

Continue reading Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video)

Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elbit wins $68 million defense contract to supply OLED-equipped HUDs

Donald Melanson — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:41:00 EST

We still haven't heard about any takers for the company's "hunter-killer' robot, but Elbit Systems has just scored a big contract for some of its other military gear. It's just announced that it's received a five-year $68 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense, which will see it provide the Army, Navy, Marines Corps and Coast Guard with its AN/AVS-7 heads-up display system components. While complete details are obviously a bit light, the HUDs apparently incorporate an eMagin OLED microdisplay, and are said to "increase situational awareness and safety by allowing pilots to fly 'head out of the cockpit' during day and night operations." Head on past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Elbit wins $68 million defense contract to supply OLED-equipped HUDs

Elbit wins $68 million defense contract to supply OLED-equipped HUDs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video)

Sean Hollister — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:58:00 EST

Another year, another attempt to project light onto transparent screens, but Pioneer's Network Vision HUD is one of the cooler prototype heads-up displays we've seen. First off, it uses lasers to generate its ethereal navigation images -- lasers make everything better -- and second, it's presently sourcing that data from a Android smartphone, making it a fantastic potential addition to infotainment ideas like Nokia's Terminal Mode. Pioneer told Network World that it's planning to actually sell a version of the technology by 2012, but that it might be an aftermarket product rather than an integral part of your car's windshield. They are, of course, entertaining deep-pocketed auto manufacturers as well.

Continue reading Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video)

Pioneer's prototype laser HUD could help you drive home, connected to an Android smartphone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included

Darren Murph — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:19:00 EST

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? If you'll recall, we heard that Recon Instruments was fixing to up-end the winter sports goggle market in February of this year, with an optimistic-at-the-time ship date of October 2010. Lo and behold, the outfit has managed to nail its estimate, and the planet's first GPS-enabled goggles are now available to highfalutin' skiers and snowboarders. At least initially, the company will be rolling out a limited set, with two models to choose from: the $499 Transcend SPPX is fitted with an SPPX polarized and photochromic lens, while the $399 Transcend SPX features an SPX polarized lens. Aside from the fact that these probably cost less than those ho hum Oakleys in the ski shop, they're equipped with a Zeal Optics' frame design with a micro LCD display, which appears to hang approximately six feet in front of the user. That head-mounted display provides real-time feedback to the wearer, including speed, latitude / longitude, altitude, vertical distance traveled, total distance traveled, a chrono / stopwatch mode, a run-counter, temperature and time. Yeah, wow. You can bet we'll be trying to snag a set for review when we do our best impression of "hitting the slopes" post-CES.

Gallery: Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles

Continue reading Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included

Recon-Zeal Transcend goggles now shipping, GPS and head-mounted display included originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Springteq introduces WeGo HUD / GPS for your auto

Joseph L. Flatley — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:52:00 EST

This certainly isn't the first automobile HUD we've seen, although, to be quite honest, we're still pretty appalled by the lack of futuristic displays in our whips. Manufactured by Springteq of Taiwan, the WeGo HUD navigator integrates a GPS to project navigation data on your windshield. The projector itself features 400 x 240 resolution, 500:1 contrast ratio, and a 4.5-inch image size. Brightness automatically adjusts depending on ambient light levels (courtesy of an optical sensor) and controls are mounted on your steering wheel to keep your hands where they should be while you drive. The basis of the system is a Windows CE device with 2GB flash memory and an SDHC card slot. Both this and the WeGo mini should see the light of day (so to speak) in Q4 2010 -- just as soon as Springteq can find a partner company to help bring it to market. Video after the break.

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Springteq introduces WeGo HUD / GPS for your auto originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung demos 19-inch transparent AMOLED display

Vlad Savov — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:02:00 EST

We don't know what kind of display-making genii Samsung has locked away in its R&D labs, but the Korean giant is once again demonstrating a world's first. This time we're looking at a 19-inch transparent AMOLED display, taking the technology up from the 14-inch model we saw live at CES in January. The company has now achieved a 30 percent transparency on its designs, and its ideas for how they may be used are fittingly futuristic. Samsung envisions storefront advertising, à la your favorite sci-fi movie, as well as HUDs for helmets and car windshields -- maybe if TomTom can secure a supply of these screens, the dedicated GPS device can find a way to live on after all.

Samsung demos 19-inch transparent AMOLED display originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 May 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Omnimo: desktop Windows given fashion makeover with Phone 7 Series flair

Sean Hollister — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EST

Can't wait for Windows Phone 7 Series, but can't hack the emulator, either? Don't lose hope, Windows junkies -- you can still bring some semblance of WP7S order into your life with this Metro UI-inspired desktop HUD. Based on the open-source desktop customization platform Rainmeter, the "Omnimo UI" will overlay your desktop with a minimalist, tiled interface not unlike the one you've been drooling over for weeks, with live hooks into many useful services (including Gmail, iTunes, Steam, Twitter and SpeedFan) as well as the usual widgets and a host of program shortcuts. The best news of all? It's available now for all versions of Windows since XP, completely free of charge; simply follow the source links or flit over to Lifehacker, where good folks will teach you how it's done.

Omnimo: desktop Windows given fashion makeover with Phone 7 Series flair originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM shows off sensor-laden windshield, new heads-up display prototype

Darren Murph — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:40:00 EST

Heads-up displays are undoubtedly novel, and downright useful in the right circumstances. Trouble is, few of these prototypes ever make it beyond the lab, and we're stuck using these same two eyeballs to experience the world around us. General Motors is evidently tired of the almosts, and it's now working in concert with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Southern California in order to concoct one of the most advanced HUD systems that we've seen -- particularly in the automotive world. Setting out to create "enhanced vision systems," GM's R&D team has created a windshield packed with visible and Infrared cameras along with internal optics that keep a close eye on the driver's retinas. In the images and video below (hit the 'Read More' link for the real action), you'll see a solution that utilizes lasers in order to highlight road edges, speed limit signs and all sorts of other vital bits of data during a fog-filled commute. Best of all? We're told that some of these technologies "could end up in GM vehicles in the near-term future." Granted, the Volt was supposed to set sail already, but we suppose we'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt.

Gallery: GM shows off sensor-laden windshield

Continue reading GM shows off sensor-laden windshield, new heads-up display prototype

GM shows off sensor-laden windshield, new heads-up display prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zeal Optics bringing GPS, sensor-laden Transcend ski goggles to market

Darren Murph — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:37:00 EST

Remember those mind-melting Recon Instruments goggles that we caught wind of late last year? Admit it -- you never, ever expected those things to actually make it to market. Despite your pessimism, it seems as if those very specs are indeed making a beeline to the consumer realm, with Zeal Optics jumping in, working a bit of magic and relabeling 'em Transcend. Deemed the planet's first GPS and sensor-laden ski goggles, these things are purportedly capable of logging speed, altitude, temperature and time details, and the side-mounted toggle switches will enable you to view said data in real time (or not, if you're paying attention to the 50 foot drop ahead of you). Peek the read link for further details on the $350+ wearables (demoed after the break), and get ready to hit the slopes with a whole new mindset this October.

[Thanks, Christopher]

Continue reading Zeal Optics bringing GPS, sensor-laden Transcend ski goggles to market

Filed under: GPS, Wearables

Zeal Optics bringing GPS, sensor-laden Transcend ski goggles to market originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Recon Instruments putting heads-up display, extra layer of 'cool' within ski goggles

Darren Murph — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:51:00 EST

It's a match made in heaven, really. A GPS-linked heads-up display system, and ski goggles. Together, at long last, forever. Recon Instruments is reportedly developing said technology right now, and if all goes well, a HUD-equipped set of alpine goggles will indeed be on sale to the general populace next fall for between $350 to $450. The device is expected to tap into your cellphone, and if said phone has a GPS chip within, you'll be able to see where you're at, where your fellow snow bunnies are and where you're headed. It'll also provide all sorts of other vital information, such as hang time off of the rail jump, altitude gain / loss, a stopwatch and temperature. There's no word on whether it'll alert you when too much powder starts building on that front-side edge, but here's hoping these things are durable enough to survive the face-plant that'll inevitably ensue when that scenario plays itself out.

Recon Instruments putting heads-up display, extra layer of 'cool' within ski goggles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oki shows off prototype LED-based HUD, coming soon to a jalopy near you

Darren Murph — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:28:00 EST

Currently, the only way you're getting a heads-up display in your whip is if you pay two arms and a leg for it. By and large, mid-range and low-end vehicles have been completely removed from the HUD fun, but all that could be changing thanks to a new effort from the crew at Oki Digital Imaging. Said outfit recently demonstrated a LED-based alternative that measures 1.1-inches in size and is constructed using the company's own EFB (Epi Film Bonding) process. Without getting too deep in the technobabble, the newfound process consumes less power, requires a simpler heat sink and boasts an all-around simpler structure. The end result? A far less expensive heads-up display, which -- if all goes well -- will begin sampling by the end of next year and could hit low-end cars, mobile phones and other handhelds shortly thereafter. Oh future, how we love thee.

Oki shows off prototype LED-based HUD, coming soon to a jalopy near you originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lockheed Martin and Microvision developing wearable displays for DARPA

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:33:00 EST

Sure, working with Motorola for some peacetime pico-projector development is one thing, but if you really want to rake in the bucks, you'd better jump on the military-industrial bandwagon. As a part of DARPA's Urban Leader Tactical Response, Awareness & Visualization project, Lockheed Martin has teamed up with Microvision to develop low-profile see-through eyewear displays for providing "non-line-of-sight command and control in distributed urban operations for dismounted warfighters" based on the latter's PicoP technology. The displays will be low-powered, lightweight, and will deliver real-time content for "increased situational awareness, such as real-time combat support and logistics." Sounds pretty similar to the gear they were selling the Air Force years ago, no? In unrelated news, the company's Vice President of Sales and Marketing is named Ian Brown, although we're guessing it's not the same Ian Brown we saw at the Hammerstein Ballroom four years ago. PR after the break.

Continue reading Lockheed Martin and Microvision developing wearable displays for DARPA

Filed under: Displays

Lockheed Martin and Microvision developing wearable displays for DARPA originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look

Darren Murph — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST

Not like you didn't already know everything there was to know about the 2010 Prius, but in all seriousness, here's a snippet we'll bet you weren't aware of. Autoblog has pointed out that Toyota's next-generation hybrid will sport an all new Touch Tracer Display that will enable steering wheel commands to appear atop the speedometer whenever a button is pushed. The upside? Rather than glancing down at your wheel (and thus, away from oncoming traffic), you'll be able to see the options while keeping your head up and eyes on the road. Naturally, we'd expect this little innovation to spread far and wide across Toyota's fleet in the not-too-distant future.

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reconfigurable Performance Display to show off engine stats in select GM cars

Darren Murph — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:08:00 EST

We'll be honest -- we still kind of prefer the days when hacking Wiimotes and other household gadgets was the preferred method for extracting more enjoyment from one's vehicle, but we suppose there's no stopping progress. Starting in 2009 (a few years too late for the Fast & Furious crowd), General Motors will begin to offer up a $295 Reconfigurable Performance Display option in the Cobalt and HHR SS. Said display will enable easily distracted drivers to quickly see how many Gs they're pulling, enable / disable Traction Control, Stability Control and Competition Mode, and get a visual on boost, cam phaser angle, spark advance, engine torque, etc. Oh, and it totally adds 10-horsepower when installed alongside a spare NoS sticker.

[Via Autoblog]

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Reconfigurable Performance Display to show off engine stats in select GM cars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS R710 nav unit features HUD projections

Nilay Patel — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:01:00 EST

ASUS is launching (and re-launching) a bunch of new gear at Computex, and somewhat lost in the shuffle is the R710 GPS, which looks otherwise ordinary but apparently features a built-in projector that allows it to present information on the windshield HUD-style. That's literally all we know -- the unit only scored one short paragraph in ASUS's Computex PR package -- but we're planning on sending our crew out to dig up some more details on this bad boy when the show opens tomorrow.

Filed under: GPS

ASUS R710 nav unit features HUD projections originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contact lens could offer heads-up display for your cellphone

Sean Cooper — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:29:00 EST

Some clever ~~geeks~~ souls at the University of Washington have used some pretty serious tech to allow themselves to make a flexible and safe -- don't they always tell us that? -- contact lens with a built-in circuit and lights. Uses for it are all right out of a James Bond film, seeing a caller-id pop up as if floating in mid air, web browsing, and of course its application could extend to cars, gaming, and just about anything you can dream up that uses a display. No word on what type of communication gear they could use, but hopefully security will be top notch as having somebody hack your eyes as you're out and about would be a pain.

Filed under: Accessories

Contact lens could offer heads-up display for your cellphone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured

Darren Murph — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:44:00 EST

Just as expected, Lumus-Optical is all set to showcase its microdisplay-packin' spectacles at CES, and while it doesn't seem that the technology has changed since we first heard of them, we've now got a slew of photographs to go by. Apparently, the glasses will boast twin microdisplays and an ultra-thin LOE lens, which can purportedly immerse the wearer by creating the effect of viewing a 60-inch screen from ten feet away. Also of note, the company claims that unlike gaudy alternatives, these won't make you look like a complete tool, but judging by the image above, we aren't so sure that's entirely accurate.

Read - Press release [PDF]
Read - Photos

Continue reading Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured

Filed under: Displays, Wearables

Lumus-Optical's LOE-based glasses get pictured originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iSuppli looks at LCD dominance, emerging competition

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:47:00 EST

Not that it bears repeating, but LCDs have a pretty firm grip on the display market at large. Of course, that doesn't mean that other technologies will just sit idly on the sidelines, and research firm iSuppli managed to take a closer look at emerging competitors to see just how viable some alternatives actually are. It should be noted that the report tends to focus on displays used in smaller wares, such as navigators, cellphones and heads-up displays, but the findings can certainly be applied to the HDTV industry at large. Throughout the writeup, bi-stable displays -- defined as "electronic displays that are capable of presenting an image without using power" -- are expected to see the biggest growth in the coming years, while near-eye display revenue and the global HUD market will see slightly less impressive gains. Moreover, the pocket projector market is poised to explode, as it promises gigantic output from an incredibly diminutive footprint. Granted, it remains to be seen how long it'll take for a 1080p projector to fit in the palm of one's hand, but we can safely say we're already infatuated with the idea.

[Image courtesy of PolymerVision]

Filed under: Industry, Displays, LCD, Projector

iSuppli looks at LCD dominance, emerging competition originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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