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from the reinventing-the-wheel-and-making-it-open-knowledge dept.
iGyaan reports
Cochin-based Arvind Sanjeev has invented the "Smart Cap" which is basically a nerdier version of the sleek Google Glass. Now we, of course, need to cut him some slack as he didn't have the huge monetary resources backing those researchers at Google X.
Arvind's design, though rudimentary, is pretty functional. The raw materials that went into making the Smart Cap are easily available. The Smart Cap uses a USB Webcam, an LCD panel, aspheric lens, headphones, a Raspberry Pi Board, a sun board sheet, and glue which is a DIY guy's favorite tool.
[...]
What is really appreciable is that he put the entire project in DIY and posted it for anyone to create their own smart cap. He has been doing this for a while and has uploaded several DIY tutorials. He also owns a start-up called A.R.S devices which make devices for automation, connected devices, and safety purposes.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Nerdfest on Wednesday August 27 2014, @03:39PM
It's not nearly as unobtrusive as Glass (a tad Borg-ish for out in public), but if it works, it's a nice accomplishment. I think I'd throw a red laser or two on it just for the while Borg vibe.
(Score: 1) by NeoNormal on Wednesday August 27 2014, @04:01PM
> it's a nice accomplishment. I think I'd throw a red laser or two on it just for the while Borg vibe.
Agreed. My first thought was "resistance is futile".
(Score: 1) by GoonDu on Wednesday August 27 2014, @05:02PM
>I'd throw a red laser or two on it just for the while Borg vibe.
I was thinking of Snow Crash's Gargoyles. Considering that they 24/7 plugged into the internet, it's more apt.
(Score: 2) by frojack on Wednesday August 27 2014, @05:28PM
Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated.
Our laughed out of the bar.
But yeah, cries out for lasers!
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by calzone on Wednesday August 27 2014, @05:54PM
Beyond concerns about Glass being intrusive/Borgish... don't people realize Google is using Glass to infect the public as a social Trojan?
Obviously, Glass's origins can be traced back to Google's desire to collect data about the world around us. Do you really think they are satisfied with Street View being the "end all"? With Glass, they will finally be able to go to the next level and include data and imagery about interiors and other spaces a car can't just drive by and catalogue. Even better, everything will be cross-referencible with other Glass users to determine times of day when different users cross paths or when some place is more popular/busy than other times.
Even if there's an uproar about revealing interior spaces, or a lawsuit from a mall chain, something to force them to not use any collected video and imagery, Google can STILL use the images and data regardless to create a virtual 3D map of the interior spaces that is as good as a real photograph. This data can be sold to retail businesses in the mall itself. It can be used for real estate... the potential applications are endless. This is all extremely valuable stuff.
And yet, Glass users aren't getting paid to collect this information for Google. They happily fork over a nice chunk of change just for the privilege of harvesting data for Google.
Google Glass isn't intended to serve the user. It's intended to serve Google and put their eyes and ears and measuring devices (compass/altimeter, whatever) in as many places as possible to gradually and doubtlessly increase their stranglehold on the very information that defines our day to day living habits and spaces.
Time to leave Soylent News [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2, Interesting) by calzone on Wednesday August 27 2014, @06:02PM
So... what I meant to conclude: If you want a product like Glass, it better either be open source. The "augmented reality" database associated with it should be free and open, not for sale to advertisers (though being free and open it would be accessible as a data feed to them or anyone else wanting it), and not cross referenced with demographic profiles, Android devices, Google+, Gmail, or YouTube accounts.
Also, ideally, like Wikipedia, there would also be some way for land/space owners to censor out certain places from the database. You probably don't want your backyard in there for example.
Time to leave Soylent News [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 27 2014, @06:48PM
Notice how the apps on this guys set are ... Google's. Creepy!