Wait Til You See This!

Seeing better with technology.

The idea of technology being able to assist with visual problems (says AI when searched): "The earliest true eyeglasses were invented in Italy in the late 13th century (between 1268 and 1300), consisting of two convex lenses joined by a rivet that were held to the eyes. While early magnifying stones existed before this, these 13th-century "rivet glasses" were the first corrective spectacles, with Friar Alessandro della Spina of Pisa credited with making and sharing them widely around 1286. These early eyeglasses improved the vision of presbyopic (aging, essentially) individuals, essentially allowing them to read more easily."

The idea of magnifying the visual field was older still, and eventually more modern manufacturing methods enable the eyeglasses as we more or less know them today goes back about 200 years.

Recently, with what was apparently a failed debut, Mark Zuckerberg launched AI glasses, developed through his brand, Meta. Partnering with such well-known sunglasses brands as Ray-Ban and Oakley, the plan was to offer a pair of glasses that would both aid those with reduced visual, hearing, or even mobility to see, read, hear and explore, and that would offer AI functions via a visual and audial interaction similar to the function of a Grok or ChatGPT.

AI glasses are part of a class of technology known as "wearable tech," and they're similar in some ways to the now-ubiquitous blank-faced watch we see on the arms of often younger people - a wrist-worn unit that will read email and texts, provide GPS, track health and fitness, and make necessary payments as you wander through your day.

I remember wristwatches and am slightly amused at how quickly, with the advent of the smart phone, we dropped them from our "must haves" because our phones were now the necessary accessory, and the phone provided the time and date. The glasses, when they're working, will potentially eliminate the phone, watch, and now eyeglasses.

As the blog grepow.com tell us, "AI glasses are revolutionizing the world of wearable technology by merging artificial intelligence with traditional eyewear, creating smart devices that offer enhanced functionality beyond just augmented reality. Equipped with sensors, cameras, microphones, and displays, AI glasses offer a seamless, hands-free experience that interacts with the user’s surroundings, making them ideal for everything from object recognition and voice-controlled assistance to real-time translations and health monitoring. With a growing range of applications, AI glasses are poised to redefine how we interact with the world, offering a glimpse into the future of personalized, intelligent wearable tech."

The Meta "unveiling" didn't proceed without problems, with the AI not connecting and failing to answer questions and directions, but it's clear that the technology will be part of the future for all of us. 

I can only imagine that the sight (all puns intended) of a person walking down the street talking animatedly (to nothing we can see) will be more common, frequent, and obvious as such glasses improve and replace the phone in the hand or pocket and earbuds, offering updates on the weather, phone calls, text streams, pollen counts, even minutes to go to destination. 

Brave new world.