Smart glasses are a fascinating concept. As far back as the 20th century, science fiction and literature imagined a world where wearable technology could enhance our quality of life. Now we see smart glasses available in the retail market with a range of augmented reality (AR) features included. Such features usually mean one of the lenses of glasses can recreate screens and features you see on your smartphone, like navigation for maps, flashing up notifications to you about traffic or text messages and some web content, plus music or video content.
Communication professionals will be able to record impromptu video content from presentations and meetings at all organizational levels and to use some of this in storytelling activities for employees and for social media.
Thanks to the endless possibilities of this advanced wearable tech, the market for smart glasses has skyrocketed and will continue to grow in the next few years. A report on the global smart glasses market by ReportLinker notes that the market was valued at USD219 million (AUD348 million) in 2022, and will grow at a rate of 9.5% through 2028. Younger generations have been driving the market, interested in this cutting-edge tech with diverse applications and uses.
Today, smart devices are mainly used to connect on social media, and the latest string of smart glasses is incorporating features that build on that interconnectedness – not only with the other devices in a consumer’s ecosystem but with the broader community around them. Our article on “Six Rules for Using Social Media in Marketing Communication” outlined the need for brands to cultivate meaningful relationships with audiences. Communication professionals can prepare for this demographic shift towards more immersive smart wearables by understanding their potential applications in social media use.
The advent of smart glasses
Smart glasses come equipped with capabilities similar to that of a smartphone or computer, from image and video capturing to voice detection, commands, and more. Legacy tech juggernauts like Google and Meta have led the charge, but the world is also seeing sleeker versions from fashion-forward companies. Of all the major designer brands, Ray-Ban sunglasses were among the first to upgrade to smart technology. The Original Wayfarer Classic was one of the first models to move away from metal and sport an acetate frame, and the silhouette has been well-loved since 1952. Today, it’s been modernized via a partnership with Meta to include a 12 MP camera and social media live-streaming capabilities. This changes the game for on-the-go documentation, both for consumers who want to keep their hands free to enjoy their day and for busy PR pros covering events.
Pushing boundaries
The world was introduced to mainstream augmented reality (AR) models in recent years, but modern AR devices have already spurred interest about their implications in daily life. People have enjoyed AR through social media filters and multiplayer games like Pokémon GO, but the proliferation of smart glasses has opened up more practical applications. The TCL RayNeo X2 AR glasses give users access to an even wider world of social media that transcends languages. While a user reads a post or listens to a video in another language, it can translate visual text and display subtitles from several languages in real-time. This allows users to get deeper context on global issues and trends – and could be a valuable analysis tool for PR professionals conducting market research, gathering feedback from international consumers, and more.
As technology advances, smart glasses may become as invaluable to the general public as smartphones, especially as AR, AI, and VR revolutionize social media use. Alert communicators can capitalize on these developments to use in their professional role. Exciting possibilities ahead!
Image: Ray-Ban sunglasses. @raybanmeta on Instagram
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