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A few weeks back, Vuzix teased us with an image of their upcoming Wrap 920AV virtual reality sunglasses, and today they have followed up the details.
The Gadget: EyeClops Night Vision Infrared Stealth Goggles, the cheapo-version of the spy favourite that'll allow you to go exploring, play wargames, or stalk your ex-girlfriend in the dark.
When is a pair of steampunk goggles too nice to be just a pair of steampunk goggles? How about when the metal components have been swapped out for solid milled titanium that's then coated in golden coloured titanium nitride? How about when the goggles feature irises that can be opened and closed through independent sliders, or photochromatic lenses that automatically tint in sunlight? Nah, these goggles still have plenty of room for improvement. When the leather has been replaced with tanned baby foreskin and the optics can pierce a brass corset, then we'll be getting close. [SmugMug via bbGadgets]
My new favourite Googler Jon Perlow has used his 20% time (that portion of it he doesn't spend hammered, apparently) to write Gmail Goggles, an official Labs add-on that makes sure you really want to send that 3AM email to your ex-girlfriend. Goggles employs five arithmetic problems that appear after pressing send (you choose the difficulty level!) that must be answered correctly in a limited time before your overly passionate and typo-ridden message can be on its way. It can also be scheduled to be active only on your party nights. Thanks big G! [Official Gmail Blog]
A seriously odd announcement from camera maker Nikon, the Media Port UP300 and UP300x video headset approaches wearable PC territory. The device, which honestly looks like a pair of headphones with a small display tacked on, actually has a pretty impressive spec sheet: up to 8GB of flash memory for videos, audio and file storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, a full-featured internet browser and on the 300x model, even motion control. Browsing would have to be frustrating on a setup like this, but the Wi-Fi connection can also be used to download audio and video content directly to the device.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 1:00 PM on October 1, 2008
Sydney Harbour has had its fair share of accidents recently, and some of them have involved ferries. That's why the NSW State Government is spending up big to arm its ferries with state of the art night-vision gear.
The ferries are currently trialling the night vision technology in order to avoid smaller craft in the Harbour. So far, it's already cost $100K, and if it's deemed successful and rolled out across the Sydney ferries fleet of 31 ferries, will cost over a million bucks.
I'm not sure what kind of gear is being used as part of this trial, but making ferry pilots wear Sam Fisher-type goggles isn't going to help anybody (unless the ferry captain is a double agent, like Steven Seagal in Undersiege).
As much as I love my tech, and especially night vision tech, I can't see how this is a good way to spend taxpayers money. How about we stick some of that million dollars into education?
[SBS news via Fashionfunky]
Night vision goggles are one of those things that you've always wanted, but known that the novelty wasn't worth the hundreds (or thousands) of dollars such fancy equipment obviously would cost. Well, good news! Now there are night vision goggles priced with you, the amateur pervert, in mind. Only $US90! The EyeClops goggles we checked out in February are finally for sale. They're similar but assuredly crappier than the ones special forces badasses use! No sleeping ladies are safe when you've got cheap night vision goggles. [ThinkGeek]
Back in June, our own Brian Lam did a Battlemodo between two high-res video goggles. During that review he noted "I do wish they came in 16:9 versions, but the 4:3 ratio is probably more practical." Well, Vuzix is going to put that to the test with their new AV310 goggles. They claim that it is the first video eyewear to offer a true widescreen experience—the equivalent of a 52-inch screen viewed from a distance of 2.7 metres. It also features 5 hours of battery life on a single AA as well as a typical "3D" setting. Expect the AV310 to retail for $US250.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 10:05 AM on July 16, 2008
Despite the stigma, I've always wanted a pair of video goggles. I never did mind the nerd factor accompanying any piece of gear, at least not after admiring sci fi heroes like Cyclops of the X-men and Geordi from ST:TNG. But they've never been cheap or high-res enough until now. The Zeiss Cinemizer (US$400) and the Myvu Crystal (US$300) both do 640x480 resolution, which is best in class. And so today I'll try to figure out which one is better headset. During it all, I will suspend all disbelief when it comes to the practicality of wearing a second screen for your video iPod on your face. I mean, what are you really saving here but neck cramps?
