Sony SmartEyeglass goes on pre-order in UK and Germany, available for sale in March

Sony’s heads-up display competitor to Google Glass, SmartEyeglass, is now available for pre-order by developers and enterprise customers in the United Kingdom and Germany. The head-mounted wearable was first shown to the world in January of 2014, and now, just about a year later, Sony is finally ready to start shipping a “Developer Edition” of the device. A wider full sale of the device in many countries is slated to begin in March.

SmartEyeglass is somewhat like Google Glass in that it’s a wearable HUD, but it’s also unique. Rather than being a miniature Android device, apps for SmartEyeglass actually run on the paired smartphone instead. Like Glass, SmartEyeglass includes a variety of sensors including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and a brightness sensor. The device’s “separate controller” houses its battery, microphone, NFC, and a touch sensor for controls. You’ll also find a 3MP CMOS image sensor on board, which can capture 3-megapixel photos.

The timing of Sony’s launch for this device is definitely interesting, as Google just recently shuttered the Glass Explorer Program. And speaking of Glass, Sony is also bringing on APX Labs—an influential Glass at Work partner—to help build software for this device. As for the pricing of this developer edition, you’re going to be out about £520 UK or $840 in the US. If you’re in the UK or Germany, head over to Sony’s site to pre-order.

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