A couple of years ago, when practically no one knew what augmented reality was, I put together a prediction about the future of augmented vision.  A recent development from the leader in augmented vision, Vuzix, made me realize my prediction might not be far off.

Engadget recently reported about the state of Vuzix’s AR vision line (taken from the floor of CES 2012.)

The end result is that Vuzix is promising a $350-600 AR vision line available in 2013.  This model is built off their military line used for creating the next generation of super-soldier.

So how well am I doing on my prediction?  Back in early 2009 I put together this info-graphic to show when we’d be seeing real augmented vision.

Some of the predictions are moving along and others are lagging.  It appears that AR glasses might be closer than I first thought, thanks to DARPA funding.  It’s still too early to tell how widespread usage might be or what could be done with them, but it’s still interesting to watch how my fictional worlds of The Digital Sea and Gamers might come to pass.  Hopefully, leveraging the wonders of Moore’s Law, we see them sooner rather than later.

The second book in the Gamers trilogy — Frags — is now available just in time for the holidays.  If you haven’t read the first book in the Gamers trilogy, go pick up a copy now at your favorite retailer.  The trilogy has been compared to a cross between the Hunger Games and the Uglies trilogy by many reviewers and readers.

When the Frags escape to the Freelands, they find freedom has its own challenges.

Without the familiar rules of LifeGame, Gabby and the Frags stumble from one dangerous Freeland to the next, while conflict in the group threatens to split them up. As the trail to Zaela becomes confused by the looming war, Gabby must reinvent herself or never see her best friend again.

The novel can be purchased by e-book at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords for $4.99, or as a paperback for $13.99.

In my Gamers trilogy people use auto-driving FunCars to get around while playing augmented reality games along the way.  The cars can be customized to look like anything you want them to.  The Toyota Fun-Vii concept video seems like a trailer right out of a Gamers movie.

Mmm…art.  The best art is the kind you can stare at while it memorizes you.  Enjoy.

Dev Harlan – “Parmenides I”, 2011 from Dev Harlan on Vimeo.

Mirror Shards author Louise Herring-Jones recently attended the World Fantasy Convention.  She brought along copies of Mirror Shards to sell and even gave a copy to award winning Science Fiction author, David Brin.  He was gracious enough to take a picture with the book.  Doesn’t that cover look gorgeous!  And thanks David and Louise!  I couldn’t make the convention, but having the book there taking glamour shots was the next best thing.

Despite all the research, the blog articles written, novels penned and ideas considered, I’m still regularly amazed by the quality of the videos about augmented reality.  I’ve been meaning to do this post for a while, but a recent AR martial arts video reminded me–I Must Post It Now!  Otherwise, I would be depriving an interested audience of this Cornucopia of Awesomeness(tm).  In no particular order, I present “10 Mind Blowing Augmented Reality Videos.”

1) Martial Arts

2) Domestic Robocop

3) Stark HUD2020

4) Ski Goggles

5) Transcendenz

Transcendenz from Michaël Harboun on Vimeo.

6) Realite Augmentee

Réalité Augmentée by KETCHUP-MAYONNAISE

 7) OutRun: Driving Game

Kitty Ears

9) If Minority Report Was Our Twisted Reality

10) Feed

(Keep in mind these videos are concepts, but I see no reason why the technology can’t make them happen…just give it time.)

One major allure of writing near-future science fiction novels is that the technology is right over the horizon.  So near you can almost reach out and grab it with your ape-like hands make magic happen.  Every year the technology that makes up the collective writings about augmented reality I call “The Digital Sea” moves closer and closer to reality.  After watching this video, I felt like the technology had taken another huge step forward.  It’s not commercially available yet, but it’s certainly possible.

And if that video intrigues you, stop by Amazon and pick up a copy of The Digital Sea or Gamers.

Reality is perception.  Perception is made from the sum of our experiences filtered through our current bodily state.  Augmented reality can change perception by showing you a different world than the one expected.  Yes, we can gorge ourselves on Disney escapes or fetish porn, but Michael Harboun takes us on a journey to the transcendent side of AR.

Transcendenz from Michaël Harboun on Vimeo.

This is Michael’s take on his video:

In a world in which we are constantly bombarded with injunctions to react or to distract ourselves it gets scarcely possible in our everyday life to dwell upon the essential, the existential, the metaphysical…

Transcendenz offers to connect our everyday life to an invisible reality, the one of ideas, concepts and philosophical questionings which the world is full of but that our eyes cant’ see. By bringing together the concepts of augmented/altered reality, Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and social networks, Transcendenz offers to live immersive philosophical experiences.

Through meditation, users access the world of Interconsciousness, a white and silent universe in which they can connect themselves to the metaphysical experiences. These experiences transform our perception of the world and reveal an unseen philosophy.

Transcendenz also enables us to access the knowledge of history’s great philosophers, who, since antiquity, try to answer the question: “Why is there something, if there could be nothing?”

Because the image rocks, I must share it with you.  I’m really blessed with great artists to create my covers and the Mirror Shards anthology won’t be any different.  I love the little details like the image around the eyes (take a close look, I didn’t catch it the first time either.)  And to me, those details are what make it a great cover.  You can keep looking at it time and time again and find new little details that the artist has worked in.   Great job, Greg!

As for the stories of the anthology, I’ve been sending out contracts recently.  I’m really excited to showcase some great stories from some up and coming writers.  And if you’re interested in being a part of it, the deadline is July 8th, which is plenty of time to get a story done.   Read the details here for more information on submitting.

For those of you without an eReader, GAMERS, the first book of the Gamers trilogy,  is now available as a paperback.  If you’re a fan of Scott Westerfeld (Uglies Trilogy) or Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Trilogy) then I’ve been told by the early readers that you will enjoy this YA novel.  For you parents, it’s a novel about augmented reality and the gamification of learning.     For your kids, the following blurb will suffice:

“Two points for brushing your teeth.  Ten points for keeping your room tidy.  Seventy-two points for the Bioeconomic Game Design pop quiz on the ride to school in your personal FunCar.  Another thirty for making every hurdle in gym class.

Life is a game, unless you’re not the one winning.

When Gabby DeCorte, top student and reality-hacker extraordinaire, learns the truth about LifeGame, she must choose between winning and what she believes in.”

Gamers can be found on eBook for $4.99 at:

Amazon Store

B&N Nook Store

Smashwords

And again, the paperback can be found at the direct order page (which is a division of Amazon) or on the Amazon website in a few days.