Google Glass (branded as GLΛSS) has been promised to us since 2011, and we’re still waiting. The current release date for consumers is February 2014, so geeks and technophiles around the globe will have to wait just a little bit longer. There has been a lot of buzz about the capabilities of Google Glass; the main focus being on its voice-controlled camera, internet searching and communication capabilities. It is essentially a very smart smartphone you wear on your face – with special emphasis on augmented reality. With a predicted initial cost of $1,500, we think that a good glasses case is in order – and a normal case just won’t do.
What if the case could improve upon or add to the Google Glass design? What if the case could work as an accessory or an accompanying piece of hardware? We’ve come up with some imaginative ideas we think should be developed further. The designs are not always practical and would need a lot of work to be actualized into working physical prototypes. The aim behind these designs is just to get people thinking about the potential applications of hi-tech Google Glasses cases. If one of these ideas happens to change the world, then…
Designs for Google Glass Cases
The All-Round Media Case
This media case is like a TV, iPod and games console all rolled into one, as the device synchronises with your Google Glasses via Bluetooth or WIFI. It would be the ideal case for anyone who likes to have books, videos, music and games all at their fingertips.
We believe that this case would be a hit because people would prefer the additional option of viewing their videos and images on a handheld device as well as on the AR display on their Google Glasses. This would also allow the user to share what they’re seeing with their friends.
Design Features:
- It provides a safe and secure casing for your Google Glass device.
- Screen in the middle of the case synchronises with Google Glass. Especially useful for films and eBooks. There could also be a dynamic interplay between the Glasses’ screen and the case’s screen for use in gaming – a little like the Nintendo DS’s innovative touchscreen feature.
- 500GB storage. Useful for storing vast libraries of eBooks, videos and MP3s.
- Speaker. This would aid the video, music and gaming experience and it would allow the user to share what they are watching or listening to with their friends.
The Remote Control Car Case
This case doubles-up as a remote control car with a camera on the front. The camera feeds to the display on the Google Glass lens. The car could be controlled by an additional small controller or perhaps, more excitingly, by voice commands.
The wheels would need to be removable to allow room for the Google Glasses. This gadget would appeal to any child or adult who hasn’t forgotten how to play. The added dimension of seeing things from the car’s perspective would make for a very novel experience.
Design Features:
- It provides a safe and secure casing for your Google Glass device.
- Wheels to allow the case to move remotely. The car would turn and change direction like a tank – where one side stops or reverses as the other side goes forward. This would allow for an almost 180° turning circle.
- Forward-facing camera that allows the user to see from the drone’s perspective. A great addition to this might be a night vision setting on the camera and the ability to record videos as well as simply receive the live feed. With these additional features it starts to look more and more like a gadget James Bond might use. This is not a bad thing.
The Gaming Case
This is a gaming controller for the potential market of AR games accessible through Google Glass. Its relevance depends on the development of sophisticated augmented reality games that will really test the limits of Google Glass’s AR capabilities. The controller connects to the Google Glass by either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It has sensors that calculate the user’s height and their movements.
It has a pressure sensitive grip for a nuanced gaming experience. A golf game where the firmness of your grip affects your swing would be a much more accurately simulated experience. The controller could also function as a gun for FPS games. Imagine searching through your house for aliens or monsters to shoot at. This is the future of AR gaming and it’s incredibly exciting.
Design Features:
- It provides a safe and secure casing for your Google Glass device.
- Motion sensors to allow for dynamic actions that affect the simulated augmented reality games and environments.
- Various game control buttons and customisable hotkeys to enrich the gameplay. This would be useful for the more conventional games as well as changing your golf clubs or your weapon depending on the game you’re playing.
- With the wireless gaming potential, there is room for multiplayer games, or perhaps a version of laser quest/tag where you chase and have laser fights with friends…or enemies.
The Tablet Scroll Case
This is a tablet that bends and rolls to form the case for your Google Glasses. This might seem like a belt and braces invention as Google Glass offers itself as an alternative to a smartphone or tablet. It is, however, something people would enjoy playing with, and the rollable, scroll format of the tablet’s screen would be a great space saver – allowing for a large screen to fit into a small space.
The tablet would be synchronised with the Google Glasses, allowing the user to share what they are searching or watching with their friends. Added gesture and twisting motions to control the screen would make for a more enjoyable interaction with the gadget.
Design Features:
- Protective, albeit flimsy case for your Google Glass device.
- Electronic paper rolls out like a scroll. This is essentially a space-saving additional screen.
- Magnetic strip locks whole case in place when rolled together. It rolls up to protect glasses.
- Gesture activated controls as well as twist and turn features on the paper to go forwards and backwards.
The Printer Case
This case protects your glasses as well as doubling-up as a quick and easy to use printer. Obviously the pages would be small (roughly the size of a playing card), so it wouldn’t be overly useful for anyone hoping to print off documents. It would be very handy for printing-off shopping lists, however. You might complain, “Why can’t you just look at the shopping list on the Google glasses?”
And you’d be right. But you can tick or cross off the shopping list on the paper and you might also be a little embarrassed speaking commands to your Google Glass display in your local Sainsbury’s. Having a miniature printer in your pocket might allow you to print-off coupons and vouchers from online promotions. Imagine going into a shop and then “googling” to see if there are any coupons available. It could change how we shop.
Another application of this printing case is to print photographs as soon as you’ve taken the shot. This might recapture some of the magic that Polaroids used to have – before digital cameras usurped them. It might also be fun and useful to have a supply of adhesive strips that you apply to the prints – effectively transforming them into post-it notes.
Design features:
- It provides a safe and secure casing for your Google Glass device.
- Printer feature would transform your case into a Polaroid camera, allowing you to immediately share your images with your friends. There are also many commercial possibilities of having a mobile printer (e.g. coupons and cinema tickets).
- Front Camera – ideally with more versatility and a better lens than the Google Glass camera.
- The mini paper hold and ink cartridges might be the only issue. You would need to be well-stocked with both and procuring refills might prove too time-consuming and irritating for the modern consumer.
Designs Debrief
One practical issue that all of our designs have is that there isn’t much room to house the Google Glasses. For these designs to function as cases, we’d need to organise the inner components and circuitry to allow enough room for the glasses. Another issue is price. Buying a pair of Google Glasses is expensive enough without having to fork out another fortune for the case.
Perhaps you’re impressed and enthused by these designs, or incensed by the impracticalities or impossibilities of some of them. Maybe both. Either way, we hope this has got you thinking about the possibilities of making a Google Glass case more than just a case. The future for Google Glass is wide open and we’re excited to see what happens.
Concepts by Red Hot Sunglasses
