New Google Glass could feature AR holograms
Google has been granted a patent that could see future Glass wearables imbued with holographic capabilities.
The patent enables Google to create a headset that would project computer-generated imagery over the real world, not entirely dissimilar to Microsoft’s HoloLens.
As pointed out by TechCrunch, however, the patent application (see below) appears to go some way to explaining Google’s financial backing of Magic Leap.
Around this time last year, it emerged that Google was heading up a massive investment in the augmented reality startup to the tune of $542 million – which amounted to around £334 million at the time. Then-head of Android and current Google CEO Sundar Pichai even joined the Magic Leap board of directors.
With this patent on board, it’s possible that Google Glass could be looking to provide the hardware platform on which Magic Leap’s AR games and experiences can be featured.
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It’s worth pointing out that while Google appeared to withdraw from the Google Glass initiative at the beginning of the year, it actually just put the project on the back burner. It still has big plans for wearable AR.
Indeed, recent reports have suggested that the company is replacing Google Glass with the super-secretive Project Aura, and is on a recruitment drive to hire new talent for the initiative.