[DanBC]

> Google Glass is [...] the initial realization of a concept that, before now, didn't exist in the world at all.

I don't understand. Heads up displays have existed in various forms for years. We've had versions that cover one eye, or that use lasers onto the retina.

[robryan]

And I never see anyone using one of these technologies in public as part of their everyday lives. We see it time and time again that technologies that have existed in one form or another for some time really take off when they are packaged in an attractive and consumer friendly form.

[untog]

The concept isn't just the technology. This is the first time such technology has ever been considered for a consumer application.

[blhack]

No, it isn't, it's just the first time that you're hearing about it because it's the first time that the tech has been pointed at your particular subset of consumer.

[untog]

Alright, what other consumer products like Google Glass have been released?

[blhack]

http://www.reconinstruments.com/

http://www.oakley.com/airwave

[alxhill]

This is very much specialised stuff however - would you ever see your average consumer walk around in public with it? No - because these are ski goggles not normal glasses.

[joshschreuder]

I think blhack is playing semantics with 'consumer'. They are skiwear consumers that bought them. I think it was pretty clear that you meant something like widespread public use.

[_delirium]

I'm not sure whether it's similar enough, but the "Private Eye", a wearable, monocular heads-up display, had a bit of niche success when it was introduced in 1989. Here's a contemporary blurb from Popular Science: http://www.popsci.com/archive-viewer?id=dwEAAAAAMBAJ&pg=...

[munificent]

Interesting, but fundamentally different.

Google Glass = head-mounted display + camera + access to the cloud

The Private Eye was just the first. It's like comparing an exercise bike to an actual ride-around-outdoors bicycle.

[DanBC]

Plenty of products exist. Google Glass is just a very very good iteration of existing tech.

(http://www.diginfo.tv/)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I0hF0cbw8E&feature=youtu...)

[jzwinck]

I'm reaching here, but: Nintendo's Virtual Boy.

[JumpCrisscross]

It's the first time it's being jacked into something like Google. The iPod wasn't as revolutionary as iPod + iTunes. The union of the heads up display with Google's software is similar to how the Apple II, while not the first microcomputer, is the first one that mattered.

[markdown]

> Macs, while not the first PCs, were the first PCs that mattered

SMH

[InclinedPlane]

Jumbotron displays have existed for decades too, that doesn't mean that it's the correct display technology for day to day use.

[jpalomaki]

Google glasses is not just about the heads up technology. I think equally important is the content they will be pushing in front of your eyes.

In order for this to be useful, you need to be providing very personalized information. And Google is in perfect position to provide this. They get under your skin via Google Searc, GMail and Google Calendar and can the supplement this with information mined from web.

[mietek]

Please let me know where can I buy a personal retinal projection display today. Preferably, without having to mortgage my house.

[MaysonL]

Buy or build, what a decision: http://eclecti.cc/hardware/blinded-by-the-light-diy-retinal-...

See also: "Retinal projection displays for accommodation- insensitive viewing", Ph.D. thesis

http://e-collection.library.ethz.ch/eserv/eth:27769/eth-2776...