Google to unveil glasses with in-built computer displays: Report

LONDON: Google is to soon launch hi-tech glasses with in-built computer displays, a media report said, quoting a company insider as saying.

Speculation is rife that hi-tech "heads up display" glasses are being developed at Google's secret "Google X" lab for months. Now, sources claim to have seen a prototype of the new product, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

The glasses will be armed with cameras, an Android operating system, and could be on sale soon, the source said.

Google specialist Seth Weintraub says, "Our tipster has now seen a prototype and said it looks something like Oakley Thumps. These glasses, we heard, have a front-facing camera used to gather information and could aid in augmented reality applications.

"The heads up display (HUD) is only for one eye and on the side. The navigation system currently used is a head tilting to scroll and click. We are told it is very quick to learn. It is currently a secret with only a few geeky types knowing about it, and Google is apparently unsure if it will have mass-market appeal."

The glasses will run a version of the California-based Google's Android, the newspaper said.

"Google has always invested in speculative R&D projects -- it's part of our DNA. While the possibilities are incredibly exciting, the sums involved are very small by comparison to the investments we make in our core businesses. In terms of details, we don't comment on speculation," said a company spokesperson.