Exciting New Business Idea: Trendy Smart Glasses

You may have already heard about one of the latest developments from the search giant Google – smart glasses? The popularity of Google Glass (as this invention is called) seems to be gaining momentum. For those who are not yet familiar, let's provide some general information about this gadget, and then move on to a new trend associated with this innovation.

Google Glass

Wikipedia defines Google Glass as a headset or wearable computer based on the Android system. The concept of this device includes features such as augmented reality, mobile communication + internet, a video diary (not all of which are fully implemented at present). The glasses consist of a transparent display and a camera that records high-quality video. Glass can be controlled by voice commands, and sound playback occurs through bone conduction vibrations (without speakers). The device's technical specifications and all exhaustive information can be found on Wikipedia.

The advantages of Google's new development are evident. Indeed, the need for mobile phones is practically eliminated, and the functions and capabilities are much greater than many handheld devices.

Smart Glasses + Classic Designs = Highly Demanded Product

However, there is one downside to Google's development (more of a human factor): all people (consumers) are different, with different needs, desires, and demands. Not everyone will be pleased with a single style of glasses – people love variety. Moreover, few want to wear futuristic, almost "universal soldier" glasses. Resourceful and entrepreneurial individuals can quickly grasp the idea: combining the appearance of regular glasses with Glass capabilities can create a highly sought-after item and earn a fortune from it! Some companies have already started down this path (albeit with slight variations).

So, let's go through it step by step. Firstly, if you are already a businessperson and your business involves manufacturing or selling:

• prescription lenses,
• various eyewear frames,
• lens coatings,

then the light bulb should go off in your head. Now is the time to enter a new domain and occupy a new niche because serious people have shown interest in your activities.

It turns out that Google Glass is no longer the sole proprietor of its development. There are competitors, but more on that later.

Rochester Optical Craft New Product Design

To cater to the variety of people's needs, Google has started collaborating with the Optical Research Institute (Rochester Optical) at the University of Rochester, where developers of frames and lenses team up with Google engineers. The result of this collaboration has already yielded the first models of smart glasses with prescription lenses, eagerly awaited by the market. Consequently, by merging smart glasses with regular prescription eyewear, a completely new type of such a familiar item as glasses has emerged. These "smart specs" have become ordinary, inconspicuous yet equipped with all the latest technological advancements. Due to their "right" appearance, they are likely to capture the global market, displacing regular glasses.

Google states that soon, frames and lenses for Glass can be supplied not only by Rochester Optical but also by other companies, yours perhaps ;)

Public Opinion Survey

Rochester Optical made a wise move by conducting a crowdsource survey regarding the appearance of smart glasses. One question inquired about where the glasses would be used. Based on the survey results, the company has already created and begun releasing some models with frame colors like cotton, tangerine, slate, charcoal, green, pink, purple, and yellow.

In addition to the frame, the material of the lenses is also significant. Besides traditional glass, the company offers the following options:

• impact-resistant Trivex plastic,
• high refractive index Thin & Light plastic,
• high-quality CR39 plastic.

The options have been selected. Clearly, the new trend of elegant and fashionable "smart specs" will help new entrepreneurs prosper in the near future and create new job opportunities. As mentioned earlier, Google is not the only manufacturer of smart glasses.

LAFORGE Optical – Google's Competitor in Smart Glasses Development

One of Glass's competitors is the Icis glasses – a product from the relatively unknown but ambitious LAFORGE Optical. In contrast to Google (which tailors the appearance of the glasses to its electronics), the Boston-based LAFORGE Optical integrates electronics into regular prescription glasses. Of course, the sum remains the same regardless of the order of the terms, as evident from the results. However, a brief overview of Icis is worth discussing.

At first glance, Icis glasses are indistinguishable from standard glasses; all optics are embedded in the lenses, with batteries for 6 hours of continuous operation. The same goal was pursued in the development: external aesthetics and variety. One could say that this goal was successfully achieved. Laforge Optical also offers users its socialFlo application, allowing them to select software to interact with the glasses. By installing socialFlo on a phone, one can display its screen on the glasses' display. The application is compatible with major systems: iOS, Android, Windows. Like Glass, Icis features a camera, microphone, and headphones.

Interestingly, Icis glasses are wearable by both individuals requiring prescription lenses and those with perfect vision.

The product is currently in the development stage. The resources needed for mass production are intended to be obtained by the company through crowdfunding on the Indiegogo platform. The required amount is $80,000.

Many people keen on having a hands-free screen in the form of glasses, especially with a minimalist design, creating substantial demand. Laforge's CEO, Corey Mack, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering, believes that soon everyone will be able to own a pair of smart glasses. Most of Mack's team members, like himself, studied at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

With additional features, the pricing of the product is quite flexible. The first batch of glasses is expected to be on sale by the end of this year.

One task, two concepts, slightly different approaches. But the trend is clear. Smart glasses with prescription lenses are a new commodity awaiting fresh business initiatives.