9to5Google Log Out: Humane, Or Wearable AR Cameras As Smartwatch Alternatives?
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Human is a mysterious startup founded by former Apple employees that is apparently working on a portable camera that uses lasers to project a screen. Previously revealed details came from a patent application, but this week a 2021 investor slide has been created (via Daring Fireball) to give a better look at the product's construction.
Human says its device will perform "microtransactions that required simple, fast and compatible smartphones with context awareness through vision." The company clearly wants to own your device, looking at last year's big advertising phones, lifting your wrists to see smartwatches and putting VR headsets/AR glasses on your head.
Productivity clothing
An announcement is expected in the spring, but as we know it today, it looks more like a competitor to the smartwatch—a companion to the daily driver—rather than something that could one day replace the smartphone.
A smartphone is probably the biggest form factor out there because of its portability and incredible functionality; The last feature comes from a sufficient screen, from consuming to creating audio and video. Some tasks may not be suitable on a relatively small screen, but they are possible.
For the smartphone to replace and emerge as the primary computing device for humans, the form factor must do more than provide the same functions (as technology known to humans). It should be much better, especially in the display department. (Smart glasses can create virtual screens of any size, anywhere, overlaying real-world information).
Not having a large enough or equivalent screen is not worth it for a smartphone competitor. Human Display appears to use laser projection on your hand or other surface. I find it suitable for quick work and short texts, but it is difficult to imagine reading an article, for example.
Humans may have a technological advance in this regard, but it seems that laser projection - a portable system - will soon match a traditional touch screen in terms of visual accuracy or click input and "natural gesture".
(The company is likely to argue something like this: smartphones are isolating, and looking at the world separates you from the world. Presumably, it will offer its device to save context, promising to be common upon entry. AR.)
Smart watch, but AR?
Human Limits reminds me of smartwatches. Both have separate feature screens that you don't want to spend too much time on, but while you can use them when needed, they all benefit from their physical location on your body. Just as wristbands are great for tracking heart rate and other health data, a camera strapped to your chest shows the world clearly.
The human-described camera feature is essentially Google Lens, where users can look at something and ask, "What kind of car is that?" "What kind of building is that?", etc. Like smart glasses, cameras tell the device about itself. The world you're looking at, and the potential for constant awareness of visual context is still unexplored. (This is a human undertaking).
In addition to search, Human offers features such as memory retrieval and custom live streaming. In addition to visual search and AI-powered context, having an always-ready POV camera was a nice touch for Google Glass.
Humanity (perhaps unwittingly) raises an interesting question as to whether smartwatch functionality, excluding health and life functions, works in other form factors. (Could it be called Combz since communication is a core function of any modern gadget?) Do people want a comb with AR capabilities to deliver relevant information? It remains to be seen how Humane will ultimately offer the device, but even if published, there is something interesting and new to inspire others (until smart glasses are ready).
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