LAFORGE Optical Releases Icis Prescription Smart Glasses

LAFORGE Optical has announced that it will be releasing Icis, prescription eyewear with a heads-up display (HUD) that provides a user’s smartphone notifications around their field of vision. Icis keeps users connected to the cloud while preserving a clear view of what is going on in front of them. Icis also features a camera, microphone, and speaker to complement the hardware in a user’s phone.

Icis features a 680×480 display that presents data from the user’s phone. Icis pairs with a smartphone app, which converts existing apps into widgets before displaying them. Widgets are created with an API, and are used to relay app notifications. Icis will be available in different styles, and can accommodate those who do not need prescription lenses. Users will be able to interact with Icis using the touch pads on the temples of the frames.

Icis is available on indiegogo starting at $420US. Icis Bold, a higher-end counterpart, will be available on indiegogo for $620US. The Bold version displays at a higher resolution (1280×680) than that of Icis, and also offers a finer degree of customization for the customer.

Developers who want to provide a more unique experience can design and create widgets specifically for Icis using their API. Those developers who want to get a head start on this process can email the company for a chance to showcase their ideas in a future product video.

For developers interested in creating apps for the devices, the company says that there will be several limited soft releases of the developer licenses around the ship date of the first devices mid year with a more refined release to surface around February of 2015.