Google’s ‘Terminator specs’ coming this year, says report

A new report suggests Google's augmented reality specs could be in available as early as this year, costing "around the price of current smartphones."

There’s been speculation for a while about Google working on a pair of high-tech specs (not pictured above) that would literally present information right in front of your eyes. If a New York Times report is to be believed, these augmented reality glasses could be nestling neatly on our faces before the end of the year.

So who’s been talking to the NYT about Google’s spec-based project? Several employees directly involved in the enterprise, the report says, though of course they spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Android-based glasses will apparently feature a 3G or 4G data connection, GPS functionality, motion sensors and a built-in digital camera. We certainly like the sound of the built-in camera — how many times have you missed a special moment because you were fumbling around in your bag looking for your darn smartphone? Soon the camera will be on your head with the viewfinder already in place. Perfect.

The report says the camera would also be able to monitor the wearer’s surroundings in real time, overlaying useful information about, for example, the local area.

The futuristic glasses would likely work with a number of existing Google products — Google Latitude, Maps and Goggles are all mentioned in the NYT report.

According to a 9to5Google report earlier this month, the Mountain View company’s new gadget will look similar to a pair of Oakley Thumps (below), with the addition of a number of buttons located on the arms of the spectacles. The same report also suggested that the overlaid data can be scrolled through with a simple yet subtle tilt of the head. “We are told it is very quick to learn and once the user is adept at navigation, it becomes second nature and almost indistinguishable to outside users,” 9to5Google said.

Google founder Sergey Brin is thought to be closely involved in the project, which will hopefully culminate in the glasses going on sale before the end of this year. As for cost, it’s hard to say. “Around the price of current smartphones,” say the sources, which hardly narrows it down.

It’s exciting to hear that these so-called Terminator specs could soon be a reality, though whether consumers take to them is another matter. Fancy a pair?

Cheapest Indian Android ICS tablet iBerry Auxus coming soon

Based on Google's Android 4.0 ICS OS, the iBerry Auxus will be priced at about Rs 10,000 and is expected in March.

Chennai based iBerry India, a brand associated with the manufacture of low cost Android tablets in the country, will launch its first Google Ice Cream Sandwich tablet for the Indian audience in the coming month. While talking to The Mobile Indian, iBerry India spokesperson Musthafa Kamal informed us that "iBerry India is getting ready for the launch of its first Google Ice Cream Sandwich based tablet, which will take place in the month of March. This will also be the cheapest ICS based tablet with a price tag of about Rs 10,000."

Initially, iBerry entered the Indian market with two Android models, the BT07 7 inch version and the BT10 10 inch tablet, which were launched last year during September. Following the launch of the ICS based tablet, iBerry has plans to launch a slew of new products in the Indian market in the times to come.

The 7 inch iBerry Auxus AX02 will have a 1 GHz processor with dedicated graphics engine for speed and better graphic capabilities as well. Along with that the Auxus will feature 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, HDMI output and support for a 3G USB modem. The 7 inch display will have 800 x 480 pixel resolution and a capacitive touch based input system with multitouch for pinch to zoom functionality. For better gaming support it will have a gyro based motion sensor.

The device will be based on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system and will be capable of handling up to 32 GB of expandable memory via microSD cards. Also the device will get mini USB on the go port support for pen drives and other peripherals.

iBerry is all set to launch the device countrywide in the next month. Auxus AX02 will be available through the online retail network and retail sale partners in various cities across India. The company is offering a one year comprehensive warranty for the devices, which will be handled by the company's service network throughout India. iBerry has also set up a toll free number for easy and reliable servicing. Along with that the tablet will come with an on-site warranty, which means if the tablet is not working the company will get it picked up from your home for servicing and repairs and users will not have to worry about searching for service centres.