Wearables are our future. While Google Glass is not available for an ordinary user, digital eye-wear maker Vuzix is launching the Vuzix M100 smart-glasses that are already available for pre-order. Being first revealed during CES , the hi-tech spectacles are now sold through the company’s website, with the shipment time of 2-4 weeks. Priced at $999, these are the first retail-ready Android smart-glasses ever.
Vuzix M100 is the first wearable device that combines features you commonly find in a smartphone. The high-tech glasswear is running Android OS, comes with W-Fi and GPS support, boasts an HD camera that will allow you to capture images and videos hands-free. M100 smart glasses have four hardware buttons for more convenience and can be operated from your smartphone or a tablet via Bluetooth.
Overall, there are three ways the Vuzix M100 glasses can be used:
- Work as a heads-up display for your Android/iOS device.
- Store and run thousands of existing Android apps independently, using the onboard memory and processor.
- Collaborative mode deploys the power of both the Vuzix M100 and the paired Android device. Apps written specifically for this mode can collaborate to maximize performance.
Vuzix M100 Glasses Specs Overview
In terms of characteristics, the M100 features:
- Camera: 5MP with 1080p video recording
- CPU: 1GHz OMAP4430
- RAM: 1GB
- Battery: 600mAh
- Storage: 4GB, with up to 32GB expandable flash memory
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, uUSB: Control/Power/Upgrade
Battery life is one of the key features of any device. It’s impossible to predict your personal runtime as there are many factors that will affect power draw, like the use of Wi-Fi connectivity, camera usage, the apps running, screen brightness, and more. Though, Android smart glass provides a trifecta of power options: a high capacity rechargeable internal battery, an external USB mini-B power port, and an external battery pack extending the internal battery’s staying power seven fold. On average, the battery will last for 6 hours with the display off, 2 hours using the display, and a mere hour using both the display and the camera.
Taking into consideration the M100 form factor, audio out is provided to a single ear only.
The eyewear comes with dual microphones that provide audio recording and voice input with voice cancellation.
As we’ve already mentioned above, the Vuzix M100 comes with a 5MP camera and 1080p video recording option. All images and videos captured with the M100 will be stored on the internal memory and can be streamed live.
Vuzix M100 glasses are currently supporting Android OS only, with iOS integration still being in works. The first Android smart glass is available in white and grey color options. Would you like to grab $999 Vuzix smart glasses or you would better get Google Glass? Share your thoughts in comments below.
