Samsung Patents Smart Contact Lenses with Cameras

"If you have seen the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, then you may remember the scene where IMF agent William Brandt (played by Jeremy Renner) used a smart contact lens to take photos of nuclear codes. After watching that scene, I wondered why smart contact lenses did not exist yet. It turns out Samsung may be pursuing the idea of a smart contact lens, according to a patent that recently surfaced," notes Forbes. "The patent – which was filed in South Korea — describes a contact lens where a small display unit is placed in the center. SamMobile reported that Samsung’s smart contact lens also has a camera, an antenna and sensors that detects movements. The camera built into the Samsung smart contact lens would be controlled by blinking. And the Wi-Fi antenna in the smart contact lens enables the wearable device to communicate with an external device to process data such as a smartphone or tablet. The blinking feature would work in a way that is similar to how Google GOOGL +0.52% Glass took photos when the user winked." Read more.

Samsung to Enter the AR Eyewear Marketplace

"We may only be a few weeks into 2014, but one thing that's already clear is that this is going to be a big year for wearable technology. Not only are existing devices getting refreshed with updated hardware and software, but more companies are introducing entirely new products to compete for a piece of your body, including the likes of LG and Sony. Samsung is one firm that's long been vying for a space on consumers' wrists, most recently with its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, and now it appears that the South Korean company has its sights set on shoppers' eyes," reports PhoneDog. "The Korea Times, Samsung is prepping its own pair of smart glasses that are currently being referred to as 'Galaxy Glass.' The unit, which Samsung has already applied for a patent for in Korea, is expected to be capable of connecting to a smartphone and displaying notifications from the handset as well as take calls and play music. Galaxy Glass will reportedly feature a translucent lens on which its notifications will be shown." Read more.

Samsung Files Patent for Augment Reality Eyewear

"Samsung Electronics Co. appears to be creating a Google Glass of its own," reports the Wall Street Journal. "A design patent registered with Korean authorities in October shows an electronic device in the form of spectacles. It has been categorized as a type of 'sports glasses.''This design is of a type [of glasses] with earphones integrated, allowing [users] to take phone calls and listen to music during workouts,' according to a memo attached to several drawings of the device, filed by Samsung earlier this year. The device is linked to a smartphone and displays alerts for information running on the phone, providing easy access to control when the users’ hands are tied with sports activities, the memo says. The device features a lens that is either transparent or translucent, it says." Read more.