By now we shouldn’t really be surprised when Google unveils some incredible new product or service with all kinds of promise. Google is known for thinking up big ideas but not so much on following through on them, or having them actually take off. Google Buzz or more recently Google +. Ok maybe Google+ still has a chance. But I digress, Google’s latest unveiled project, dubbed Project Glass, is worth getting very excited about.

Like the name may suggest, Project Glass is Google’s concept for a set of augmented reality eye glasses that people would wear at all times. Rather than try to explain it, watch this video which does a great job of showing exactly how Google imagining it working: Project Glass Debut Video Demostration

Pretty cool right? With smartphones and tablets the lines between our real lives and our internet lives are getting more and more blurred, and it looks like Google wants to take it one step further. Google says it’s already started testing such devices running a system based off their Android platform for the heads up display. It raises a lot of questions too. Will it actually be that quick? We all see how smartphones and other devices are actually supposed to work in commercials and demo videos but its sometimes a different experience when it’s actually in our hands (or in this case, on our face). Do we actually want  this level of integration between our social media/cell phone/internet and real life? Are we a few years away from looking like Robocop?

Apparently Google plans to have these out this year. Whether or not that is realistic deadline is up to debate I suppose until they show us the goods. But one thing that video conveniently leaves out, which could be its biggest hurdle, is what these things will actually look like. Let’s take a look shall we?

Yikes. I applaud them for doing the best they could with it but even these 20 something models couldn’t make these not like nerdy as all get out. Not that there isn’t a market for that too! Gizmodo makes a good point. Maybe Google should have released promo shots showing off a comparison like this:

In all honestly it’s probably not anywhere near as bad as it could be. We’ve come along way from gigantic headgear for virtual reality headsets. This will still be a tough sell for a lot of people I imagine, and a price hasn’t even been mentioned. Augmented reality social media integration can’t be cheap!

What do you think? Do you like the idea of Augmented Reality, all the time? Would you buy a pair? Why? Why not? If not, is it the never ending integration, or the way you’d look when sporting them that drives you away? According to Google “We’re sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input,” so the most important thing is that you let them know what you think!

Leave a comment with your thoughts!