Bose has released "AR" glasses that can only be heard - part 1

Bose, known for his noise-reducing headphones, recently launched a Bose AR glasses at the SXSW in Austin.

Unlike Google's Google Glass, Microsoft's HoloLens and Intel's Vaunt and other AR glasses, Bose does not use optical lenses to overlay a layer of virtual visual information in the world seen by the human eye. Bose's AR glasses have neither optical lenses nor cameras. What they have to do is provide sound to enhance the real-life experience.

Bose showcased a prototype of 3D printed glasses at SXSW. According to media reports, the glasses look like ordinary sunglasses. Wearing them in public places will not attract special attention. Mashable's correspondent said that it is lightweight and stress-free, even if the battery and electronic components are placed on the frame. In my opinion, it is a bit heavier than Intel's Vaunt smart glasses. There are two small directional loudspeakers on the frame of the glasses. Users do not need to wear earplugs to hear sounds. Others cannot hear sound unless they rest their ears on the speakers. Since Bose is so good at making high-quality bluetooth stereo earphone, I bet this one will be also equipped with excellent sound quality.

The Mashable reporter described that Bose demonstrated outdoor applications on site. When you look at a landmark building, double-click on the touch area of the glasses frame and Bose will explain the tour for you. Bose AR glasses do not have a camera, so the position is not judged by image recognition. According to Bose, it is equipped with a motion sensor that can accurately detect your orientation. With a GPS-equipped mobile phone, Bose AR glasses can clearly know what you are looking at.

This technology sounds similar to that of Intel's smart glasses Vaunt. The application scenarios of the two are similar, except that one is playing sounds and the other is displaying text or images. Working with a suitable content provider, for example, when you look at a restaurant, Bose can provide information on restaurant introductions, ratings, and more.