early non-functional vuzix m100 prototype

Vuzix has just introduced the M100 Smart Glasses. The M100 is an unobtrusive head mounted display, much like Google Glass, which Vuzix hopes will be used as a hands-free smartphone display and for augmented reality applications. In addition to being able to pair wirelessly with Android and iOS devices, the Vuzix M100 HMD is a standalone Android device capable of downloading and running applications of its own. The company plans to release the M100 in 2013.

model wearing with vuzix m100 smart glasses

So far Vuzix has shown off the M100 Smart Glasses as being styled liked a Bluetooth headset with a boom that extends out to the eye. The company says that other mounting options will be available, including “over head” and “behind head”. These may or may not be similar to the ‘Smart Glasses’ prototype that Vuzix recently showed (it isn’t clear whether or not they are the same product, I’ve reached out to Vuzix for comment):

CNET had a look at a non-functional prototype of the M100. The way they describe it makes it sound like the image floats out away from the display, but I don’t know how accurate that is. CNET says that the M100 could launch in the middle of 2013 for less than $500:

M100 Smart Glasses Specs

  • 400×240
  • Aspect ratio: ~16:9 (1.67:1)
  • Field of View: 16 degrees diagonal (13.72 horizontal), equivalent to 4 in. mobile device screen seen at 14 in
  • Brightness: >;2000 nits
  • 24 bit color
  • OMAP4430 processor at 1GHz
  • Android ICS
  • 1GB RAM
  • 4GB flash memory
  • GPS
  • Micro SD slot

Control Buttons

  • Power
  • Select
  • Volume up
  • Volume down
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Integrated Head Tracker

  • 3 axis Gyro
  • 3 axis Accelerometer
  • 3 axis Mag/Integrated compass

Battery

  • Up to 8 hours hands free
  • 2 hours hands free + display
  • 1 hour hands free + display + camera

Hands Free

  • Ear speaker
  • Noise cancelling microphone

Camera

  • HD 720p (0.9 MP)
  • 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Video recording capable

Connectivity

  • Micro USB: Control/Power/Upgrade
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n,
  • Bluetooth
Vuzix says that the M100 will work with any Android or iOS application that can output display to an external screen. The M100 is also capable of running its own applications thanks to an integrated OMAP4430 processor (technical details) that runs Android Ice 4.0 Cream Sandwich.
It’s unlikely that it will be as simple as downloading your favorite applications from the Google Play Store and running them on the M100; the 400×240 resolution and lack of touchscreen means that existing applications are unlikely to work with the M100. However, the head tracker and camera make the M100 an interesting platform for an augmented reality apps.

Vuzix M100 SDK

vuzix m100 over ear style
Developers will need to specifically develop applications (or tweak existing ones) to work with the M100. Vuzix is offering an M100 SDK for $1000 which also includes an “early production release” of the M100. Back in July, Google offered early-adopters a chance to pre-order Google Glass for $1500.

The SDK includes software and documentation, access to an exclusive Smart Glasses Developer Portal and an early production M100, hands free monocular display system. The SDK components will be shipped and released in stages. The initial software component will be made available shortly after the SDK becomes available for purchase, followed by the Smart Glasses Developer Portal. Smart Glasses M100, hands free display systems, will be shipped before or near its public release date.

Interested developers are asked to register for the M100 SDK details here. The company estimates the the SDK will be ready next month.
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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."