Smart glasses let you access AI on the fly | Canada Voices

Smart glasses have been around for more than a decade, but might just be hitting their stride now – and the market is quickly growing, with some analysts predicting a 1,800-per-cent jump in users by 2040. Features have improved, many styles can be fitted with prescription lenses and the convenience of taking photos or calls on-the-go without taking out a phone is increasingly enticing. Think about snapping photos at an outdoor music festival with the sunglasses on your head, or capturing a family celebration while still being in the moment.

“Now the technology is really expanding,” says Gillian Martin, the director and category general manager of gaming, VR, digital imaging and drones at Best Buy Canada. There are more stylish designs available, with improved cameras and even artificial intelligence features built-in. “The AI piece allows you to ask questions without pulling your phone out of your pocket,” says Martin, adding that she has also used her glasses to translate signs in a foreign language while travelling.

The tech is cool – just tread politely in society if you decide to give them a try.

“Physically, it is important to respect ‘no-camera’ zones like locker rooms or doctors’ offices by powering the device off entirely, and you should perform regular storage audits to delete synced media from your phone gallery,” says Alex Ferworn, a professor in the department of computer science at Toronto Metropolitan University. He suggests practising “social etiquette by informing those around you that your glasses have recording capabilities.”

With AI-powered styles, you may want to opt out of “product improvement” or AI training programs in the companion app “which prevents the manufacturer from using your private photos and voice commands to refine their models,” says Ferworn. “You should also disable ‘always-on’ wake words in favour of a physical button-press to trigger the AI, ensuring the microphone isn’t inadvertently capturing sensitive background conversations.”

There are positives to this tech beyond being a buzzy gadget. Some people with vision loss are using AI-powered glasses to help with things like colour recognition.

To choose the right pair, start by thinking about what you’ll be using them for and doing research to understand the key functions you need. “Anything where it’s expanding that feature set, the price is going to go up,” says Martin.

There are two streams of smart glasses available: everyday lifestyle glasses that could incorporate a prescription and might include features such as AI functions, a camera, audio and fitness tracking; and productivity-focused styles, which function as extended displays for streaming or gaming.

“You don’t need maybe as high-end a pair if you’re using them for every day just walking around and listening to music or listening to a podcast,” says Martin. “Versus if you are going to be using them for fitness, make sure they are water-resistant, that they do have maybe an extended battery life.” You can add a prescription to most smart glasses on the market, but not all, so that’s another consideration.

Once you’ve narrowed down the options, see if you can try on the contenders in-person or at least virtually. You want to ensure that they feel comfortable, fit your face and nose bridge, and are not too heavy.

Six buys to try