Pivothead was initially introduced last year. As the leader in wearable imaging technology, they showed off some very cool video-cam smart glasses, Pivothead Eyewear. The current, next-gen platform is called Pivothead SMART (Simple Modular Application-Ready Technology). And with its Indiegogo campaign showing off all the new and enhanced features, you will quickly forget about Google Glass. These guys are bringing an entire new level of interaction and purpose to smart glasses. First based in New York and now headquartered in Denver, as of 2010 they were the very first company to engineer and globally mass-produce professional-grade photo and video functionality in full HD, System-on-Chip eyewear. This new SMART lineup of glasses are loaded with spankin' new features, including HD wireless live streaming as well as real-time sharing activities and many applications.

What it does:

Pivothead SMART is all about sharing, capturing and reliving experiences from your own personal perspective in an easy-to-use way, all the while looking surprisingly sophisticated. I mean, damn, they look a lot better than Google Glass. The biggest importance is its performance, and SMART has the tools and features that could potentially transform how we live, see, work, and share our experiences. Having an Indiegogo campaign is not only for raising funds. The company strives to engage with the developer community, allowing for outsiders to contribute in building more and more on this platform.

Pivothead SMART features include:

• Sharing | Live stream full 1080p HD video to web or mobile apps


• Capture Unique POV Images | Full HD video allows 8 mp stills/auto-focus


• Add SMARTMods | Modular platform- add power, connectivity and apps


• Storage | 16 GB internal memory, removable micro SD with mods


• Recharge on-the-go | Continuously replaceable Fuel Mod


• Wireless Control | Configure, control and download via Bluetooth to device


• Notifications | Configure audio and LED alerts for power and memory status


• Pairings | Pairs via Bluetooth with NFC integrated


• SMART Apps | Develop and run Android apps on Air Mod


• Open | Published SDK to be open for developers


• Image Sensor | 8 Mp Sony CMOS: 3264 x 2448 pixels

Its Modular:

If you didn't notice from the list, this thing is highly modular. These plug and play modules fancy the glasses up by giving numerous additional capabilities. The addition of ports at the end of each arm of the glasses is where you can plug one of its three modular accessories (called SMART Mods). First is Air Mod, which is powered by Android, adds Bluetooth, WiFi, and allows for software developers to create their own apps. Live Mod allows for live streaming video from your POV with a WiFi module. Fuel Mod serves as a removable battery pack (wahoo!); each containing a 800mAh battery to supplement the 150mAh internal pack. That is a whole-lotta difference from the first gen Pivothead eyewear.

No HUD? But that's what Google uses:

Pivothead's reasoning for not choosing Heads Up Display, but rather opting for audio and LED light-rail to convey heads-up information is for a couple reasons. It is a reflection of the Pivothead core values, in which glasses are designed to encourage social interaction and active sharing. Moreover, this needs to be effortless and in real time and full 1080p. The current interaction from HUD is less sociable, battery draining and awkward looking. Hence, the company finds that to counter their objectives. Their devices “are designed for content creation, not content consumption”, and the manner they display information is a simple and clear sensory experience that they are happy with. Sure, SMART does not feature Google's HUD and voice commands, the efforts of Pivothead's creation still puts a needle in the smartwear marketplace, doesn’t it? Finally, worried about price? Keep thinking away from Google. These should go for about a third (or less) than Google Glass, with a launch date set for April 2014.