Blending elements of both the real and virtual worlds, augmented reality technology allows users to interact with tangible objects in an intangible way. For example, custom live videos can be overlaid onto a background scene — providing the illusion of a dancer stripping in your own living room, as one marketable option for future porn purveyors.
On the consumer end, the technology today is more about children’s toys; but Google seems poised to change things, by turning this toy into a tool.
It is an intriguing technological proving ground that brings man closer to machine — and which may someday be as “normal” for users as carrying a Smartphone is today.
Showcasing a prototype headset that would make Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Chief Engineer, Geordi La Forge, proud, Google recently announced its “Project Glass,” soliciting commentary from the Internet user community at large, as a means of gauging demand and guiding the product’s future development.
“We think technology should work for you — to be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t,” states a Google spokesperson. “We started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment.”
One interesting side note: at the end of the online demo video, the on-screen URL listed is g.co/projectglass — something that “.co” owners may find interesting, despite its redirect to the project’s “Plus” page at Google.com. You can see the demo video there — which you’ll really need to do in order to grasp the possibilities and significance of what augmented reality means for the future of adult entertainment technology and beyond.
While “Google Glasses” are undoubtedly far from the marketplace — and perhaps socially irresponsible given the already distracted nature of today’s consumers who have enough difficulties trying to text as they drive — it is an intriguing technological proving ground that brings man closer to machine — and which may someday be as “normal” for users as carrying a Smartphone is today.
