Google Glass, Meta Wants Your Milkshake! …Do Consumers Want Either of Them?

Meta-glass

Google Glass fever and upstart Meta’s rapidly financed US $100,000 Kickstarter campaign indicate #1. impending altered reality market maturity, or #2. everything new remixes the old, but still the geeks sing “Ohhhhh look, shiny!

Google Glass: Loudest Voice in the Room
In development for several years and announced way back when, Glass finally got to developers and the geek elite about two months ago (for US $1500, plus getting oneself to a mandatory orientation meeting thingy). Glass is a kind of hybrid between a head-mounted display and augmented reality (AR) prosthetic outfitted with the internets. Really, if you’re reading Akihabara News you’re probably already hip, but if not there’s a search engine very ready to help you. Big G overlord Eric Schmidt indicated last month that a consumer-ready Glass product is about a year away. Realistically, at this point it’s unclear whether Glass is expected to be a viable consumer product or more of a proof-of-concept development platform.

Meta: Quickly Kickstarted, High-Profile Team Assembled – Working Man’s AR?
If you saw last year’s sci-fi short film “Sight” or the YouTube sci-fi series “H+,” you’re already hip to what Columbia University’s Meron Gribitz & pals are aiming for with Meta. While Glass is more of a HUD with some AR, Meta is less with the acronyms and more what the name suggests: information about information, i.e., Meta hopes to overlay manipulatable imagery/data on the physical world, augmenting real reality and projecting virtual reality (VR) artifacts that you can fiddle with in real time.

For now, Meta has a slick video, a prototype, a crack team of engineers and advisors including professor Steven Feiner and wearable computing advocate guy, Steve Mann, and financing to get their dev kit into dev’s hands. To its credit, Meta does seem to aim less at generalized gee-whiz gimmickry and heads-up automated narcissism, and more toward the getting actual work done.


Asian Alternatives:
First: POPSCI, very well done. The image on the above left melts one’s technosnarky heart.

In typical form, China has assimilated and excreted: the Baidu Eye is their Glass clone. There’s no indication of plans to bring it to market, so maybe they just wanted to say “Ha, ha, we can, too!” Or maybe they just wanted to do research and ride the Glass hype, which is understandable. But China, dude – might wanna think about doing some original stuff someday soon. That lack of intellectual capital is going to sting when “Designed in California” meets “Made in the U.S.A. With My 3D Printer.

Over here in Japan we’ve got startup Telepathy One pushing a Glass-looking, but as they openly declare, not Glass-like AR headset (above-right). While technology writers rhetorically speculating as much in a headline makes for good Search Engine Optimization (other adjectives include: disingenuous, blithe, lame), rather than compete with Glass, Telepathy One is focusing on social networking & multimedia – but they too are clearly attempting to catch the contemporary current of AR hype – which is understandable. And hey, even if Telepathy One flashes and disappears, that fact that the phrase “Japanese Startup” can be used without the usual preface of “Why Aren’t There Any…” is a positive thing.

Okay Then, It’s Almost Doable – But Still…
Indeed, the apps, core software, computational capability, and the ubiquitous-enough network connectivity essential for decent AR are quickly ramping up. Along with innovative concepts like the AR/VR mashup Eidos Masks, alternatives to and more advanced versions of the above devices will likely continue to crop up. In fact, the never-even-close-to-being-vaguely-realized promises of VR are also showing signs of decreased morbidity. So…

We Actually Want It vs. They Want Us to Want It
Glass, the engine of the current VR hype machine, is of course conceptually nothing new, but it has the word “Google” in the name, so people are paying attention. Of course even Google gets ahead of itself from time to time (Buzz? Wave?), but lucky for them selling ads pays well, and they’ve got a boatload of cash to pour into whatever sounds cool. Millions have benefited from Google’s side projects and non-traditional ventures (Gmail much?), but the expectations leveled on Glass are… perhaps a bit much. Suffice it to say, Google absolutely nails search and software and web apps, but thus far big-G’s hardware projects have but limped.

But if we’ve got the cash, that probably won’t stop us! The soft tyranny of the tech elite is the ability to ring a shiny bell and then watch the doggies line up to pay. Luckily, actually useless products, products produced with too much hype, products produced with too much variety, products out of touch with the people who ultimately finance their creation – no matter how awesome they seem at first blush – they will fail. Hard. (Note: Sony, if you’re here, please reread the last sentence!).

Until AR & VR technologies can out-convenience a smartphone, shrink into a contact lens, dispense with voice controls and the confusing non-verbal communication of fiddling with a touchscreen on your temple, i.e., until such devices can move beyond relatively impractical novelty, it’s unlikely they’ll amount to much more than narrowly focused research and demonstration platforms.

This is to say, along with inventing Google Glass, the search giant might also want to invent something for us to like, you know, do with it. Or maybe that’s not fair – so to be fair, one can concede that no new technology is perfect at 1.0, and any awesome innovation has to start somewhere…

Maybe it could start in 1995. Ask Nintendo about that.

• • •

Reno J. Tibke is the founder and operator of Anthrobotic.com and a contributor at the non-profit Robohub.org.

Props to io9 and Meta’s Kickstarter and Meta (but come on guys, tame that website – autoplay is really annoying). PopSci article/image; Watch the augmented reality-themed “Sight” and “H+” by clicking on those words.

Sanwa Direct – Flat and beautiful Bluetooth backlight keyboard – “400-SKB036″ series

Sanwa Direct - Flat and beautiful Bluetooth backlight keyboard - "400-SKB036" series

Sanwa Direct released the Bluetooth compliant backlight keyboard “400-SKB036″ series. There are 2 models: Japanese keyboard (400-SKB036J) and English keyboard (400-SKB036E).

It’s 13cm thick and weights 269g. It’s almost the as same size as an iPad mini and easy to carry around.

You can select “Keyboard input mode” or “Mouse input mode”. When you select “Mouse input mode”, you can control the cursor or right/left click by touching on the surface of the keyboard. 

The “Vibration function” is a way to get feedback from the keyboard, where vibrations are felt when keys are pressed.

Price: 6,980 yen (including tax)
Compliant models: Windows computer, HIS profile compliant Smartphone/Tablet with Android OS
Compliant OS: Windows 8/7/Vista/XP, Android Ver. 2.3 or later
Size: 191x115x13mm
Weight: 269g
Communication distance: About 10m
Accessories: USB cable for charging

Pioneer – Blu-ray disk player built-in sound system – “MCS-434″

Pioneer - Blu-ray disk player built-in sound system - "MCS-434"

Pioneer is releasing a built-in blu-ray disk player sound system – “MCS-434″ – in late June. It’s a set of 1 blu-ray disk receiver, 2 front speakers, center speaker, 2 sound speakers, and remote control.

It features Pioneer’s original virtual sound field technology called “Virtual 3D Sound”.

“MCS-434″ plays CDs, DVDs, blu-ray, and blu-ray 3D. Since it’s compatible with DLNA and Wi-Fi and has 4 HDMI terminals and 2 USB terminals built-in, it can play internet content and can connect to different kinds of devices like game devices, USB memory, smartphone, iPhone/iPad etc.

Body:
430 mm × 63 mm × 349 mm, 3.1kg

Front/Surround speaker:
95 mm × 80 mm × 90 mm, 0.4kg per 1 speaker

Center speaker:
230 mm × 80 mm × 90 mm, 0.7kg

Sub woofer:
130.5 mm × 420 mm × 375 mm, 4.4kg

Haruyama x Evangelion – Manga series teams with leading salaryman suit store for special series of dress shirts, ties, cuff links and tiepins – available for a limited time: June 1 – June 23

Haruyama x Evangelion - Manga series teams with leading salaryman suit store for special series of dress shirts, ties, tiepins and cuff links - available for a limited time: June 1 - June 23

Special Evangelion business accessories will be available though Haruyama Trading, one of the major Japanese business suit chain stores.

They announced that they will open a special “HARUYAMA×EVANGELION: 3.0 Akihabara EVENT STORE” where these items will be available for a limited time (June 2 – June 23).

The store will sell dress shirts, ties, cuff links, and tiepins created in the image of major Evangelion characters such as EVA-01 and EVA-02.

Century – “Early Morning Dynamite” USB Alarm clock – Wake up with a bang!

Century - Shirobako.com - "Early Morning Dynamite" USB Alarm clock - Wake up with a bang!

At online store, Sirobako.com, run by Century, the “Early Morning Dynamite” USB Alarm clock was released.

Not only is it a regular alarm clock, but you can also play an exciting game with this alarm clock. The game is that you need to choose which one of the 4 wires needs to be cut (pulled out) to stop the dynamite bomb, You only have 10 seconds to make the right decision and disable the bomb! It’s a fun came to play at a party.

Price: ¥3,980 (including tax)
Size: W230 × H100 × D90mm
Weight: 250g
Power source: USB
Battery life: 24 hours
Accessories: Alarm clock, USB cable (65cm)

DN-84527 and DN-84528 Shanghai Donya new Smart Charger

DN-84527 Shanghai Donya new Smart Charger

If you are looking for a powerful and versatile solution to charge all your USB powered goodies, Shanghai Donya new DN-84527 Smart Charger is exactly what you were looking for!

The DN-84527 does only one thing, give juice to your USB devices, and is capable to accommodate up to 7 devices at once including 5 1A output and 2 2A ones.

If the DN-84527 lack the USB Hub capabilities that will make your day, behold the DN-84528, the DN-84527 big brother that comes, on top of the DN-84527 basic “smart charging” features with a 4 ports USB 3.0 Hub, a two 1A and 1 2A output.

The DN-84527 will be sold in Japan at around 3,990 Yen and 4,990 Yen for the DN-84528

Planex – HDMI Selector with 4 HDMI ports “HDMI-SW0401D” – 3D and Full high-vision image compliant

PLANEX - HDMI Selector with 4 HDMI ports "HDMI-SW0401D" - 3D and full high-vision image compliant

Planex Communications Inc. is releasing HDMI Selector “HDMI-SW0401D” on May 31.

Using “HDMI-SW0401D” as an intermediary, you are able to connect a maximum of 4 HDMI built-in devices to a TV or display that has only one HDMI port. You can simply choose which device you want to use through an accompanying remote control.

Also, it’s compatible with 3D and full high-vision image. Since connected devices feed power to “HDMI-SW0401D”, an AC adapter is not needed.

Estimated price: ¥5,000 (including tax)
Size: 115 x 62 x 25.6mm
Weight: 219g

SQUARE ENIX – “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” release date is announced – August 27

SQUARE ENIX revealed that they will release the PS3 and Windows versions of “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” on August 27.

Advance orders started today, May 24. A bonus, as part of making an advance order, is “Early Access” where you can log in to FFXIV in advance and get 2 limited items that you can use in the game.

Also, “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition” will be out on August 27 as well. It comes with a special box designed by Final fantasy series illustrator Yoshitaka Amano, as well as other bonuses including a visual art book and special sound track, etc.

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Price: PS3 – ¥3,300, Windows – Open price

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition
Price: PS3 – ¥10,290, Windows – Open price

Toshiba – External HDD “CANVIO DESK” 1TB/2TB/3TB model – Fast and large, place it horizontally or vertically and connect your TV of Blu-ray recorder

Toshiba - External HDD "CANVIO DESK" 1TB/2TB/3TB model - Fast and large, place it horizontally or vertically and connect your TV of Blu-ray player

Toshiba is announcing external HDD “CANVIO DESK” – 1TB/2TB/3TB models. The 2TB model is already out, while the 1TB and 3TB models will be out on May 25.

Since “CANVIO DESK” is USB3.0 compliant, it’s able to transfer data 10 times faster than USB2.0 compliant HDD. You can connect it to your TV or Blue-ray recorder that features USB HDD recording functionality and can record hi-vision TV programs in high image quality for a long period of time.

In the large capacity 3TB model, an estimated 816,000 photos, 318 hours of video, and 762,000 songs can be saved.

Size: 42 x 129 x 167mm
Power source: AC adapter and/or USB
Interface: USB3.0
Compatible with: Windows 8/7/Vista, Mac OS X v10.8/v10.7/v10.6/v10.5

Leica – Limited edition camera – “Leica X2 Yokohama Edition” – Commemorating the opening of Leica SOGO Yokohama store

Leica - Limited edition camera - Commemorating the opening of "Leica SOGO Yokohama store"

Leica from Germany is a popular brand in Japan and they just opened their store in SOGO department store in Yokohama, Japan, and are going to release an exclusive limited edition model called “Leica X2 Yokohama Edition” in July. Only 30 cameras will be available.

The limited model is based on Leica’s premium compact digital camera “Leica X2″, with lizard style leather is used for the body. A shoulder strap and camera protecter made with the same leather material will come with the camera.

APS-C sized newly developed CMOS sensor (16.2 million pixels) and high-spec lens “LEICA ELMARIT-M f2.8/24mm ASPH” are built-in. It has low noise, wide dynamic range and accurate color reproducibility.

Although the release will be in July, they are currently accepting advance orders at the SOGO Yokohama store. The price is ¥283,500.