The Perfect Tech Gadget: Smartphone PC Sunglasses Concept

One perfect gadget: that is what the "Smartphone PC Sunglasses Concept is, that is, if it really existed, and then it would be the only gadget I would ever need. Smartphone PC Sunglasses would serve all needs in a package so convenient that it would be almost functionally transparent. Imagine the Retinal Imaging Display (RID) project meets "The Terminator" style computer interface glasses, but with "in-the-air" typing and writing gestures. The Smartphone PC Sunglasses feature a smartphone style CPU and a set of very special goggles that would combine the functionality of virtual goggles with heads up display technology, and augmented reality to create the perfect user environment in a simple pair of sunglasses, or prescription clear lens glasses and no one the wiser.

Smartphone PC Sunglasses Design

The smartphone piece sits on the users' belt or in the briefcase or pocket and remains unseen to others. Its job is to provide the horsepower, connectivity, and services to the interface worn on the eyes. It would connect wirelessly, so that no one could ever tell this part existed. The goggles are the complete virtual interface, powered by a dual core processor running with at least 2.1GHz of power with no less than 4GB of DDR memory.

It would also have fuel cell energy storage, so the CPU could last for eight to 12 hours with full-on usage before needing a recharge. Smartphone PC Sunglasses run Linux and has the latest Android interface, which is optimized for virtual display. Connectivity would be provided by at least a 4G capable service and simultaneous data and voice services are enabled.

Smartphone PC Sunglasses User Interface

The Virtual Android Interface is the real power. The goggles have two separate forward facing camera's, one in each lens. The one on the left would feature 5-megapixels for taking both video and stills and the one on the right would be a hand tracking system. This system is what powers the interface, as it would recognizes and track the user's hands and finger gestures, much like handwriting recognition, allowing for virtual gestures in the air.

The virtual keyboard appears in the air in front of the user and the user types as the system tracks and correctly interprets the movements. Alternatively, the user can write with a virtual stylus in the air and handwriting is recognized. Windows for email or video, caller id or other functions float on the periphery of vision and can be grabbed and moved into the center of focus with the hands.

Other Smartphone PC Sunglasses Features

The on-board accelerometer senses if the user gets up and starts to walk and automatically clears the needed field of view for safety, save for navigation apps, which display transparent directional cues and indicators to get the user where he or she needs to go. If the user is moving to a sitting position from standing, all displays are minimized to the periphery under the assumption that the user is driving and only navigation cues are safely displayed, again in the peripheral area. If a video starts, a virtual HD screen appears, similar to existing virtual video goggles that many gamers use, only they look like regular sunglasses. 3D objects are used for virtual desktops and other functions.

The Future of Smartphone PC Sunglasses is Coming

The technology for building a pair of Smartphone PC Sunglasses is just around the corner, and some very smart developer could start now and leapfrog the entire market, which would end the platform paradigm altogether, combining the dreams of gadget gurus everywhere. A pair of Smartphone PC Sunglassesis the one gadget that anyone would want. Imagine sitting on a park bench and watching news broadcasts while talking with your partner on the phone and reading your email while the only thing anyone sees is your hands moving in the air. This is what my perfect tech gadget would be.

Sources:

"iWearVr920: The New Future," Vuzix
"The Terminator," Yahoo Movies
"Brother Develops Mobile Spectacle-type Wearable Retinal Imaging Display," Brother Industries