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December 19, 2008 11:35 AM PST

Sneak peek at Vuzix Wrap 920AV glasses

by Donald Bell
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Photo of Vuzix Wrap 920AV

Finally, a pair of video glasses that don't make you look like an extra on an '80s sci-fi B movie.

(Credit: Vuzix)

There's little doubt that as we inch closer to the technological singularity, video-enabled glasses will play a part. Unfortunately, manufacturers have yet to produce a pair that don't make you look like a complete idiot, and bionic eye camera implants still seem a ways off.

Luckily, the folks at Vuzix must have grown tired of all the Geordi La Forge jokes, as their latest pair of video glasses look astonishingly normal. While there's no guarantee that the Vuzix Wrap 920AV won't induce muffled laughter from everyone around you, they do promise to combine virtual reality capabilities and augmented reality features into one of the least obnoxious designs we've seen yet. The Wrap 920AV glasses will supposedly connect with almost any media player, and include built in headphones and individual focal adjustments.

No word on pricing or exact specs, but more details are sure to be revealed at CES.

Originally posted at CES 2009
Donald Bell is CNET Reviews' senior editor for MP3 players and portable audio, and one half of the MP3 Insider blog and weekly podcast. He also likes getting his hands dirty with digital audio tools for musicians and DJs.
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by Sparky_666 January 3, 2009 6:24 AM PST
These things are ridiculous! But aside from the obvious styling problems, do we really need more automatons walking around oblivious to everything else around them? Think about it. When you're deaf noises don't easily distract you or cause your mind to wander. And God forbid anyone actually operate a motor vehicle with these things on since doing that in many states and even a few countries is often ILLEGAL!
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by h2otek25 January 5, 2009 11:11 PM PST
If they actually work well this would be OK in the privacy of your own home when disturbing your significant other would be a problem. They aren't exactly a fashion statement though, sitting there on your sofa looking like a bug eyed alien. Sparky's got a point though. It's not the intelligent people to be concerned with. It's the idiots you have to worry about. Give 'em time and someone will try it.
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by ScRuFfYdOgg January 10, 2009 9:43 AM PST
how much is it going to be?
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by Johnp777777 January 12, 2009 6:49 AM PST
I agree that if you give the idiots out there time, they will kill someone. That said, as a person who spends a lot of time on airplanes, I feel this has huge potential. Especially if they make it so look normal, not like something out of Star Trek-TNG. I use an ipod now to watch video and find the screen just too small for long trips. Positioning the Nano in my hands is a pain too. Then there's the neck ache. So, this product has a use out there. Would love to try one. For me, it's all about portability and battery life.
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by h2otek25 January 22, 2009 6:26 AM PST
I've been keeping an eye out for more info on this product but so far not much. I'm interested in the resolution and refresh rate. If the image quality is at least equal to standard definition and they don't cause headaches as some previous attempts at this type of viewing system have, then the viewing system could make a nice reprieve for those challenged for space and needing to keep room sound below audible.
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by h2otek25 February 1, 2009 6:55 PM PST
Gizmodo has some info on the product. Looks promising.
http://gizmodo.com/5123723/vuzix-wrap-920av-video-sunglasses-feature-see+thru-quantum-optics
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