Samsung has registered a patent that could hint at its own Google Glass-style wearable device, as the electronics giant continues to expand into the wearable technology field. The design patent, filed in South Korea early this year, was granted full registered status in October and recently uncovered by The Wall Street Journal. The patent papers […]
Samsung has registered a patent that could hint at its own Google Glass-style wearable device, as the electronics giant continues to expand into the wearable technology field.
The design patent, filed in South Korea early this year, was granted full registered status in October and recently uncovered by The Wall Street Journal.
The patent papers show a pair of “sports glasses” with transparent or translucent frames, side buttons, and a front panel that appears to hold a camera.
The glasses, according to the description, could be paired with a smartphone to display information or offer some control; a pair of built-in earphones would let users listen to music or receive phone calls.
Unlike Google’s glasses, the Samsung patent shows what appear to be wires on both sides, meeting in the back at a connective plug.
The news comes as Google’s upcoming Glass has extended its beta phase, with reports suggesting it is planning a 2.0 version before a public release in 2014. When it dowes go on sale, the device is expected to retail for about $1,500.
Meanwhile, Microsoft and HTC are also said to be prepping their own smart glasses.
Juniper research says the market will be huge for wearables, and grow by about 14 times – to $19billion – by 2018, and claims smartwatches will be the big winners, with 36 million in global shipments by 2018.
About a million will be shipped this year after both Sony and Samsung launched new watches.
Apple is believed to also be preparing a watch, although it is not expected to reveal it until next year.
