Some Updates on Google's Competitors

Epson Moverio BT-200 :

Very few people are aware that Epson already owns a pair of connected glasses. Epson launched the Epson Moverio BT-100 in 2011, but they were a bit bulky and not that user friendly. However Epson plans on launching the Epson Moverio BT-200 in March, that will be sold for $699 and targets daily users.

What differentiates Epson smartglasses? The lenses are more transparent, which means that the projected heads-up images comes into magnified angled sections in the middle of clear lens, but early users say that it looks like crazy bifocals.

The new glasses are 60 percent thinner than before, and even easily fit over eyeglasses thanks to a flexible nosepiece. It still looks very weird!

A handheld Android console with a touchpad powers the floating display, which includes 3D if the contents matches. The Smart Glasses have a 960x540 resolution 16:9 display, which allows a 23-degree field of view. The device supports H.264 video playback and works with Dolby Digital Plus to carry audio to connected headphones for surround sound.

The device works with Android and uses Bluetooth 3.0 and an SDHC card slot for up to 32GB of storage. Built-in WiFi will also works for streaming video content, and with an extra bridge adapter they could be used to mirror HDMI connected set-top boxes and other entertainment sources.

Some apps are also developed to improve customer experience. Epson is also introducing a wristband : Pulsense PS-100, allowing heart rate monitoring.

Laforge ICIS : Prescription Smart Glasses

Icis is a line of eyewear that displays notifications from your phone, such as texts, tweets, and turn-by-turn directions around your field of vision. Icis is a fashion-tech product, so it will come in a variety of styles and colors. This project is open to international customers. Icis supports Android, iOS, and Windows Phone. Icis beta version is offered for $200.

                     

Indiegogo says that the specs will be released as late as possible to guaranty the best component available. However we already know some caracteristics. Icis is a bluetooth accessory that leverages the power and intelligence of your smartphone through an app, called SocialFlo. With SocialFlo, you can easily select which apps appear on your dashboard when you wear Icis.

Design: The device is still on a development stage. Laforge team has completed several frames designs for the Icis and Icis BOLD lines. Laforge is also currently testing other features that will be announced at later date. More colors, textures and designs will be added later.

Engineering: Laforge team has completed a couple iterations of the circuit board for the first prototypes and will be going through several more iterations over the next few months. The group is currently designing the developer's board that will ship this summer. They are working with suppliers to integrate components such as cameras and speakers into certain models of Icis.

Software: They have developed an alpha version of the SocialFLO app which allows smartphone's apps to be recognized by Icis. They have also completed the foundational work for the API so that developers can start making their own widgets!

Manufacturing: Laforge is working with a wholesale optics lab in western New York State to create the lenses for both of the Icis lines. This company has more than 30 years of experience in the eyewear manufacturing industry. The partnership allows Laforge to leverage near $30 million of capital equipment which keeps costs down. They will handle grinding in all of the prescriptions and final assembly will occur here in the US.

Laforge is currently narrowing down the list of suppliers that will manufacture the frames and raw lenses.

To resume I would say that Laforge did a good job as the glasses are "fashion-friendly". The glasses look much like regular trendy glasses and Laforge has directly positioned on the prescription lenses market, which was a very smart move. The device offers all the benefits of a hands-free mobile device and a premium version of the glasses also feature a camera, microphone and speaker.

If you're interested in the competitors, I have also published an article 2 weeks ago about 5 other Glass competitors.