Google's latest patent suggests the tech giant might be developing something to give Spectacles a run for their money.
Granted Tuesday, the patent describes "a hat and a camera system for the hat that can be used for an interactive session with a remote user." Basically, it sounds like a cap with an embedded camera that lets the wearer take photos and videos, including live streams, and upload them to social networks via a mobile app.
The patent also describes a built-in speaker, which is "configured to create audio waves through the hat by bone conduction in the skull." The hat also comes with a microphone for users to record audio.
Image: United States Patent and Trademark Office
Google also suggests the hat might have other functions beyond sharing photos and videos with friends and family. The patent describes how it can perform in an "interactive assistance session," like sharing footage of technical problems when someone calls a customer service line, for example. The hat can also come in handy in emergency situations — like delivering images and GPS information to an "emergency situation server system."
So it appears that Google is couching the device in practical terms. The image doesn't look like it's going to be very stylish, which could be a problem for Google since that was one of the big reasons Google Glass fell on its face.
We'll see whether or not the patent turns into anything. In the meantime, we'll cross our fingers that we get something a little bit better than this:
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