Patent filing shows Samsung's Google Glass rival

Seoul: A patent filing shows Samsung Electronics is working on a device it calls sports glasses in a possible response to Google's Internet-connected eyewear. A design patent filing at the Korean Intellectual Property Office shows a Samsung design for smartphone-connected glasses that can display information from the handset. ALSO SEE Gear Glass: Samsung's answer to Google Glass reportedly in the works It said the glasses can play music and receive phone calls through earphones built into the eyewear's frame. It also gives hands-free control over the smartphone.
Reminiscent of the Google Glass design, Samsung's sketch shows a thumbnail-sized display over the left eyeglass. Google's eyewear has a tiny display over the right eyeglass that shows information and websites. ALSO SEE Google Glass: Battery, speaker the biggest letdowns It was not clear from Samsung's sketch and description whether its eyewear would be equipped with a touch control and a camera like Google Glass nor whether it would connect directly to the mobile Internet or be a slave to a smartphone. The name and the description specify the Samsung product is designed for outdoors activities or sports. ALSO SEE GlassUp, a cheaper competitor to Google Glass Samsung did not respond to an email and a call seeking comment. Google is testing an early version of Google Glass with 10,000 people in the US after giving the public a first look at its Internet-connected eyewear in June last year. The early version can take pictures, record videos, navigate maps and works without a smartphone. ALSO SEE Google Glass review: First peek through the smartglasses impresses Other tech companies are also exploring ways to bring mobile computing to everyday objects such as watches and glasses. Samsung introduced a smartphone-connected watch called the Galaxy Gear last month. Sony also announced a smart watch. Samsung filed the application for the eyewear design patent on March 8.