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Sony announces clip-on, bulkier Google Glass rival for regular glasses, shades or goggles

Sony has announced a clip-on unit to turn regular glasses, shades or sports goggles into Google Glass-style smart glasses. Set to be shown off at CES next month, Sony says that the concept model will be known as ‘SmartEyeglass Attach!’ (yep, the exclamation point is part of the name).

By simply attaching it to a pair of fashionable glasses, goggles, sunglasses, or other type of eyewear, you can instantly gain access to visual information that adds a level of convenience to your everyday life […]

Because the module is easily attachable/detachable, you can use it only when you want to, and you have the option to store it away if it does not suit the occasion. Sony’s new module presents the opportunity to begin incorporating glasses-style smart devices into your life in a comfortable, easy way.

The product is in addition to the rather bulky all-in-one smart glass unit the company announced back in September and expected to go on sale in March …

The new clip-on product is likely to take rather longer to come to market, Sony saying only that it is “aiming to start mass production […] within the coming year.” The company is targeting business and sports applications first, so may not be selling direct to consumers when it first comes to market.

While the 640×400 OLED display is only marginally higher in resolution than the 640×360 display in the current generation of Google Glass, the display technology is more energy-efficient and easier to manufacture, and it has long been suggested that Google may itself make the switch to OLED.

The processor is the same low-energy ARM Cortex-A7 chip used in Android Wear smartwatches, with on-board WiFi 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0.

Unlike Glass, there is no indication of a built-in camera. While you’ll still look very much like a cyborg when wearing it, this may make those around you feel a little less uncomfortable.

We’ll bring you more details when we see it for ourselves at CES.

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