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Rumor: Microsoft Cloning Google Glass Too for 2014

By - Source: AppleInsider | B 25 comments

Microsoft is supposedly building Smart Glasses too.

Last week brought reports that Chinese search giant Baidu is working on a clone of Google Glass. The news stemmed from an April Fools' joke that "spun out of control," but a rep from the company said there is a hint of truth behind the joke, that internal testing is in progress to produce something similar to Glass.

Now there is a rumor that Microsoft is doing the same, only the Redmond company is expected to produce a working product in 2014. The rumor stems from analyst Brian White, who informed investors of his theory about Microsoft's Internet-connected specs on Thursday.

Unfortunately, he didn't provide any extra specifics. But Microsoft's entry into the wearable tech realm really isn't all that far-fetched, and it wouldn't be surprising if the company actually introduces a prototype during BUILD 2013 or E3 2013 this June. A Windows 8-based set of specs that connect to a Windows-based tablet, smartphone and/or PC? You bet. Console connectivity is even likely.

"It appears to us that Google has made significant breakthroughs around software applications as it relates to this new product," he said. "As such, we believe this initiative will kick off a major push into the field of wearable electronics and therefore will be closely scrutinized."

Apple is reportedly taking a different avenue by developing the much-rumored iOS-powered iWatch. White also said that Apple is working on the iRing, which will interact with the upcoming iTV slated for a late 4Q13 release. This ring, acting as a navigation pointer, will help enhance motion detection and allow users to control the television set using hand gestures. The iWatch will supposedly interact with iTV as well.

Last month, Samsung confirmed that it, too, is working on a Smart Watch. "We’ve been preparing the watch product for so long," said Lee Young Hee, executive vice president of Samsung’s mobile business, in an interview with Bloomberg. "We are working very hard to get ready for it. We are preparing products for the future, and the watch is definitely one of them."

Marshal Cohen, an analyst at NPD Group, later said that the race is on to redesign the mobile phone into something that you wear. "We’re going to see formidable competition coming from many different directions -- from device makers, accessory makers, even fashion designers," he said.

As for Microsoft, the company will likely not arrive late in the game as it did in the tablet and smartphone sectors. Developing wearable tech should actually be a given seeing that its two major competitors are busily working on gadgets. We suspect that Kinect and the Xbox brand will somehow be involved.


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  • 0 Hide
    NightLight , April 6, 2013 3:18 PM
    i want smart lenses :) 
  • 7 Hide
    fearless1333 , April 6, 2013 3:26 PM
    Wow, incompatibility is going to be rampant.

    The Google "smartwatch" will connect with Google Shoes, the xphone, the Google TV, possibly the new Xbox and Google Glass.

    The Apple iWatch (as some current rumors suggest) will connect with the iPhone, the iPod touch, the iPad, etc. The rumored iRing will connect with the iTV.

    The Samsung Smart Watch will connect with Samsung smart phones through Android.

    Three watches and all 3 connect with something different. Why.
  • 2 Hide
    jack1982 , April 6, 2013 3:30 PM
    I cannot even imagine wanting those things.
  • Display all 25 comments.
  • 6 Hide
    slomo4sho , April 6, 2013 3:57 PM
    Is there truly any need to be connected 24/7?

    The joys of being disconnected in a connected world :) 
  • 0 Hide
    killerclick , April 6, 2013 5:28 PM
    Google, Microsoft and others are attempting to somehow tie this in to their services, but the only true, lasting effect of this technology will be the (gradual) elimination of fixed physical displays.
  • -2 Hide
    jhansonxi , April 6, 2013 6:05 PM
    I like HUD distractions. voyeurism, and the elimination of privacy as much as anyone else but I'll wait for Apple's "iGlasses" or whatever they iCall it. Like all computer technology until Apple creates something then it doesn't really exist yet. Besides, why settle for something from one of the lesser evils?

    Any bets as to how fast the pr0n industry adopts the iRing?
  • 0 Hide
    ib2007 , April 6, 2013 6:22 PM
    I wouldn't be surprised if the wristwatch will have a touch sensitive face (glass dial) that can double up as a track pad for or touch pad for the wearable glasses like a mouse so you can wear a personal computer on the go.
  • 0 Hide
    pat , April 6, 2013 7:40 PM
    The first version will be unusable... No start button to begin using it...
  • 5 Hide
    bigdragon , April 6, 2013 8:16 PM
    I remember when Microsoft used to be an innovation leader. They've been content to follow everyone else and copy them for the past decade. I think this is a huge mistake that is destined to become another Zune. Microsoft should focus on fixing some of their other products first, particularly Sync (you know, the thing that ruins all new Ford vehicles and makes Jeremy Clarkson yell at a car to shut up).

    Just for fun, I'd like to see Apple or Google come up with a ridiculous product concept for something they know will fail and will never actually bring to market. Promise it, but don't bring it to market. I bet Microsoft will just duplicate it and rush it to market. They've been doing stupid stuff like that for a while now.
  • 2 Hide
    soundping , April 6, 2013 8:53 PM
    I just don't see any benefit in this tech.
  • 5 Hide
    chumly , April 6, 2013 10:04 PM
    ...because they've done so well with phones and tablets. Shit, they can't even make an OS anymore....
  • 2 Hide
    ojas , April 6, 2013 10:44 PM
    bigdragonI remember when Microsoft used to be an innovation leader. They've been content to follow everyone else and copy them for the past decade. I think this is a huge mistake that is destined to become another Zune. Microsoft should focus on fixing some of their other products first, particularly Sync (you know, the thing that ruins all new Ford vehicles and makes Jeremy Clarkson yell at a car to shut up).Just for fun, I'd like to see Apple or Google come up with a ridiculous product concept for something they know will fail and will never actually bring to market. Promise it, but don't bring it to market. I bet Microsoft will just duplicate it and rush it to market. They've been doing stupid stuff like that for a while now.

    My thoughts exactly. MS just wants to copy everything Google and Apple are doing, which is said because they can't really touch Google where it's good (and arguably vice versa), and they're taking the wrong lessons from Apple.
  • 1 Hide
    chicofehr , April 6, 2013 10:49 PM
    I like tech and all but I think this is getting out of hand. I am wondering what kind of physiologic affect all this tech will have on us in the next 50 years. Most people don't even know how to talk in person anymore. I remember playing lego and getting dirty outside. Never got my first gaming system till i was in my mid teens. I'm only 31 which is old these days in the tech world :p 
  • 0 Hide
    chicofehr , April 6, 2013 10:50 PM
    *psychological
  • 0 Hide
    slicedtoad , April 7, 2013 12:22 AM
    ^physiological too probably, lol
  • 3 Hide
    mcknzy , April 7, 2013 12:36 AM
    I want a fallout PIP boy.
  • 0 Hide
    randomizer , April 7, 2013 4:40 AM
    It's going to be a noisy commute to work when these things go mainstream and there's a whole carriage of people saying "Glass, Google 'what is the weather like on the weekend?'".
  • 2 Hide
    billgatez , April 7, 2013 8:32 AM
    MS glasses. I hope you like seeing the world through a blue screen.
  • 1 Hide
    senkyen , April 8, 2013 1:23 AM
    I'm nearsighted so I need to wear my "normal" glasses all the time and therefore I won't be using smart glasses of any kind (and no, I don't like wearing contact lenses so that's not a solution for me).

    Watches became pretty much obsolete when we got mobile phones and people still wear them pretty much for the same reason people wear jewelry (aka no practical reason whatsoever).

    A ring that enhances the motion tracking capabilities of a "smart" TV... Only useful for the people that are too lazy to even reach for the remote.

    All in all I guess I'll pass on this new great devices and instead spend my money on refreshing the components of my good old 100% not portable and not wearable desktop PC.
  • 0 Hide
    slicedtoad , April 8, 2013 1:32 AM
    ^indeed. Instead of getting more portable I find all my computer hardware getting heavier and heavier. My desktop is currently 60 pounds.
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