Toronto, Ontario -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/02/2012 -- Before the year ends, we might see the dawn of another trend on digital devices as Google is set to launch Goggles, basically an eyewear with smartphone capability. The lenses will serve as a monitor where you can view information, entertainment and advertisements wherever you are. It focuses on the projection of an information layer over physical objects that you see or what is called augmented reality.

Though no one has confirmed seeing the Google glasses firsthand, rumors continue flying as Norton Scientific Journal reported in detail about the product. This might be because it is being developed in the uber secretive offices of Google X, a laboratory near Google’s main campus where engineers/scientists are working on other projects.

Goggles will reportedly use the same Android OS that powers tablets and smartphones, equipping the glasses with motion sensors and GPS. The eyeglasses will also sport audio I/O and camera.

Via the built-in camera on the eyeglasses, Google can stream and overlay information to the wearer. For example, if the wearer is looking at a landmark, he would be able to see detailed information and perhaps, comments about it left by his friends. And if ever facial recognition software is approved to be used in such a scale, the glasses could also enable the wearer to read details about the person he is looking at. On a more plausible and fun side, Goggles can be used for virtual reality games with the real world as playground.

As expected, Google will integrate its other services to the glasses such as Google Latitude and Google Maps, which would be a huge help especially if you want to know how far you are from your destination, what the weather is like and other local details.

Though Google Goggles is said to have more focus on objects than people, an advocacy group for web privacy has requested FTC to suspend the use of facial recognition programs. Electronic Privacy Information Center suggested that until the government has figured out proper privacy standards to protect users, such products should not be made available.

Google Goggles is said to be like the design of Oakley Thump and will overlay the screen with contextual information as opposed to browser-like pages we see on smartphones. Operating it can be as simple as tilting your head back and forth. And although these spectacles can look really cool, they are not designed for constant use.

With it, comes inherent privacy concerns. Perhaps that’s a reason why Google is taking its time before launching the product, and rightly so. People should at least be able to tell if they are being recorded by a person with a camera on his eyewear.

Now these ultra modern glasses seem to be one of the pieces Google wants to have in order to know what users are doing and where they are going to 24/7. Recently, Google has already announced a unification of its 60 online services for, apparently, continuous online tracking.

The Google Goggles will reportedly cost up to USD 600, just like a smartphone, and will be available before the year ends. As of new, Google does not seem ready to deny or confirm anything about a smart eyewear in development.