Wearable computers and communications devices

Motorola announced Wednesday that it will develop a hands-free wireless computing headset with micro-display specialists at Kopin -- a move reminiscent of previous attempts to create wearable computers and communications devices.


The device will offer voice, audio and PC capabilities on a virtual reality-style 15-inch monitor that will also support simulation software and streaming video.
"We believe this computer headset will be a game-changing solution for mobile workforces," said Motorola emerging business director Tom Bianculli in a prepared statement.

From cellphones to car stereos, hands-free operation has been all the rage for years. However, widespread adoption -- where virtual computers are concerned -- has been elusive.
"Historically, users haven't liked the end product," Enderle Group principal technology analyst Rob Enderle told TechNewsWorld.

Code-named the "Golden-i platform," the Kopin/Motorola offering hopes to change history with Bluetooth and WiFi enabled gesture- and voice-recognition technology.
Golden-i's micro display appears as a virtual 15-inch, 24-bit color monitor built around Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2 operating system and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) OMAP 3530 mobile dual processor.

"Golden-i provides a full 128-bit encrypted link to your PC, so you instantly see your own PC screen, full size, 18 inches from your eyes," Golden-i program manager Jeff Jacobsen told TechNewsWorld. "You can use every application and open any document on your PC remotely."

Kopin researchers tested Golden-i with Linux, but ultimately decided on Microsoft Windows CE because Linux has limited support.
"Unfortunately, we discovered Linux is not a well controlled environment, and most third-party hardware and software either needs to be highly modified or may not work with Linux at all," Jacobsen said. "All of our major product development partners, such as Motorola and Texas Instruments, were extremely pleased when we migrated from Linux to Windows CE 6.0."
The move allowed Golden-i access to Vista media technologies such as SideShow, Gadgets and Silverlight. The company also developed a Win32 API-based Software Development Kit for third-party application construction. Software developers can take advantage of the $2,500 kit -- which includes Kopin's communication headsets -- in January, Jacobsen said.