Last night I was watching Curley from the 3 Stooges stick an iPhone in his eye and say “éllo, anyone there? éllo…” ~ hilarious! ~ funnier even is that the shtick isn´t far from reality. A new product that has recently been unveiled. The Spherical LCDis capable of being inserted into contact lenses. A showcase of the miniature model was displayed bearing a dollar sign in the center of the lens. When asked, the designers stated that this gesture was a “tip of the hat” to the many cartoonists who create people or figures sporting dollar signs in their eyes.
Researchers at the Centre of Microsystems Technology in Belgium are hopeful that their display of this new design will highlight the myriad of advantages offered by their LCD technology when compared to the LED-based lenses that many use today. Researchers in Belgium have designed the display so that the entire surface can be seen, analyzed and recorded by interested parties. It is important to note that its scope is fairly limited; since the LCD can only output “very basic” patterns similar to those of a small pocket calculator. They feel the future holds more promise and have publicly announced that they are engaged in discussions with the medical community, hopeful that they may see its medical benefits. Further development of this initial model is promising, and the LCD can eventually be used for a variety of medical purposes. Perhaps, doctors with patients who have a damaged iris can use this device to limit the amount of light transmitted to the affected area of the retina. Cosmetically, people with two different eye colors can possibly use these lenses to achieve color uniformity.
Within the next few years, researchers see this invention actually working for people in the ‘real’ world to solve serious eye problems. It is common knowledge in the optical community, that a human eye has difficulty in its ability to focus on close objects. Thus, items on display would be visible only to one not wearing the LCD device. This is a major shortcoming. Many people are, therefore, anxiously awaiting for the perfection and availability of GOOGLE GLASS. Don’t hold your breath; but if google can perfect this device, it will completely change the way we interact with the world. As of now, google glass is basically a small camera that is strapped to your head. If the “kinks” can be worked out, it would change the way we speak with each other, the way we buy products and the way we interact with all types of machinery. Google Glass might be ready to introduce to the public sometime at the end of 2013 or in 2014. It would be the first known “wearable computer.”
One of the interesting qualities of Google Glass is that it is non-blocking. You can use this device while you do other activities. There is no need to shift your attention from another task or even look at the camera. Ok, you better know how to multi task a bit, but ask any mom and she´ll teach you a thing or two. It doesn´t interfere with your daily routine in any way: it can take pictures, shoot videos, answer your phone, check your e-mail and give you driving directions, to name a few. Google Glass would be able to gently alter your behavior. Of course, there are pro and cons with every change. GGlass could help you become a much more productive person or it could turn you into someone who rarely needs to move a “finger” to have his desires met. SERGEY BRIN WITH GOOGLE GLASSES The true excitement comes from its potential as it opens new pathways in technology. It is a chance for us to reach for and satisfy our growing urge to communicate. Our reason for existing after all. We shall see what develops in the year ahead, but its great fun to consider the possibilities of new techniques that goes beyond modern technology and allow us to dream of what once was and what the future holds for us.
Long live Curley! (Mo and Larry too)
Picture credit IMEC/Ghent University.
