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Heads-Up Wearable Display
selfsealingstembolt writes "Looks like the guys at NASA are trying to combine some existing technologies into a wearable computer. At the moment it is designed as headset combined with a small box to wear at your belt or so. The interesting part is, that they are looking for new technologies at outside sources (companies, educational institutions, ...). The design is still subject to change, but the general idea is great."
Why can't they make these things look more like a nice pair of sunglasses rather than a Techno-Cowlick?
The design is still subject to change, but the general idea is great.
Yeah, it's a great general idea, but it's CERTAINLY not a new one. wearable computing has been around for how long now?
That said, it's great that it's getting some government funding, as that seems to be the only way to get something going in these lean times lately. And the display unit looks to be a new design, perhaps a new idea, but they say nothing useful about it in the article.
"You worthless post!"
-Shakespeare, 2 Gentlemen of Verona, 1. 1. 147
It's not the "cool" factor -- really, it isn't. You wear a wearable computer on the subway to work, and you deserve to be beaten down.
It's not the portability factor -- palmtops can provide a reasonable amount of punch too.
There are some niche uses -- say you're a mechanic -- it would be handy to have schematics right at your fingertips, er, eyeballs.
But more often than not, a wearable computer is really a wearable invitation for a well deserved ass kicking.
Admittedly, the article focuses on the use of wearable computers by astronauts and such, but as for use by the common man on a daily basis outside niche markets, its not going to happen.
you thought playing the virtual boy was disorienting.
how do you expect to be able to reach a usible ammount of contrast on a semi translucent screen? im minority report, who would want a clear monitor. it would suck if your were running around fragging and people just kept walking behind your screen, talk about distracting.
long story short, if its not a HUD or something, keep it opaque, if it is a HUD make it translucent.
I want 2D games back.
It's not the "cool" factor -- really, it isn't. You wear a wearable computer on the subway to work, and you deserve to be beaten down.
I'm sure we would have thought the same thing several years ago about portable phones. Yet I see those bloody things (rather, I hear them) all over the place.
Admittedly, the article focuses on the use of wearable computers by astronauts and such, but as for use by the common man on a daily basis outside niche markets, its not going to happen.
You make a reasonable point here about no absolutely necessary reason for people to have a portable computer but how is that much different from today's cell phones? I always roll my eyes skyward when people tell me about how essential a cell phone is for today's lifestyle. There are plenty of times I've heard a cell phone go off in the movie theater. And while I've struggled to keep from throwing tomatoes at those morons who feel the need to chatter on their cell phone while grocery shopping, I'm not promising I'll hold off indefinitely. But of all the times I've overheard people gabbing on their cell phones (and there have been many such times), I cannot for the life of me remember one conversation that struck be as being essential to carry on at that moment.
I'm sure I'm inviting a slew of angry replies to this and probably some Troll or Flamebait mod points, but my point is that cell phones have florished in spite of the fact that the majority of people using them do not have a vital need for them. Rather, their "need" has simply been invented because the technology exists. So will it be with wearable computers.
GMD
watch this
'Wearable Computers' are not about having a more powerful computer, just as portable phones are not about having a more powerful phone (web access, text messaging etc notwithstanding). The idea here is simply one of convenience, and access to computing resources wherever you may happen to need them. Consider the example of an online train schedule: When do you think you would get the most value out of accessing this site - when you're at home in front of the computer, or when you're out at the pub trying to figure out when you need to finish off that beer in order to make the last train home? I personally will be one of the first adopters of such technology when it becomes workable. getting driving directions while in the car, checking prices online while shopping in a real life mall, checking up on the kids and their babysitter via an X10 type camera in the house.... For me I think that this would eventually end up becoming the machine that I use the most.
Like it or not, I think you may have to get used to the idea of "wearables".
\/\/oobie
The biggest problem with wearable video is the fact that it moves with your head and can cause vertigo.
I want a head mounted display that lets me decide if I want the display to move when I move my head or if I want the display to stay where it is while I look at other things....
42 - So long and thanks for all the fish.