Bose is a company that many probably known for its audio products, like headphones and speakers, but at SXSW, the company made a surprise announcement as it has unveiled its latest efforts which comes in the form of a pair of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. However given that this is Bose we’re talking about, it seems that the focus will be on the audio quality.
In a way this is similar to the approach Apple had with HomePod, where instead of trying to do what everyone else is doing or has done, Apple has tried to set the HomePod apart by focusing on the sound, which is exactly what Bose is trying to do. For the most part Bose’s AR glasses will offer what we’ve seen in the past, with Bose hoping to add more visual information in the future.
This includes the ability to look at signboards and have them translated to your native language, or let users look outside a window to pull up a weather report, or get detailed information about a painting that they are looking at in a museum. The company will also be launching its own Bose AR SDK and setting up a fund of $50 million to help invest in companies or developers who are looking to leverage the SDK into building something.
That being said, Bose’s AR glasses aren’t for sale to the public. However the company will be making limited quantities available this summer for developers and manufacturers, but when exactly we will see the consumer versions of these glasses remains to be seen.
Filed in . Read more about Augmented Reality (AR), Bose and Wearable Tech.