Microsoft AR Glasses Could Challenge Oculus, Morpheus

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Microsoft may be working on an Xbox One AR headset to take on the likes of Sony and Oculus.

It's been a busy year for immersive gaming, with Facebook's $2 billion Oculus VR pickup and the debut of Sony's Morpheus headset for PS4. Could Xbox One augmented reality be next? If some recent Microsoft patents are any indication, the answer is most likely.

One of these patents showcases a series of small icons on the interior of a pair of glasses, which suggests some sort of augmented reality function. The patent sketch also showcases interactivity with a wristwatch, indicating that the goggles would work with a wearable device made by Microsoft or a third party.

This isn't the first rumor regarding Xbox glasses, as a 2012 leak revealed that Microsoft could have a device called "Kinect Shades" in its product roadmap. Kinect is Microsoft's motion-tracking accessory for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, and its purported AR glasses would likely work in tandem with the device.

We've tried Oculus Rift and Morpheus and came away impressed, so we're eager to see what type of AR alternative Microsoft could provide if the device comes to market.

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Michael Andronico
Michael Andronico

Mike Andronico is Senior Writer at CNNUnderscored. He was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide, where he wrote extensively on gaming, as well as running the show on the news front. When not at work, you can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • de5_Roy
    are we gonna see b.s.o.d. right on our eyes? what'll happen if the a.r. glass bsods in the middle of a walk or during crossing the road? how much will microsoft be willing to pay in damages? :pt1cable:
    Reply
  • lp231
    If MS make this look like regular glasses, then it will be the best out of the two. This might still let you see your surroundings, unlike the other two, that looks like you have a C4 stuck to your face.
    Reply
  • koss64
    I am still wondering what Microsoft plans to do in light of Sony and their project Morpheus. I hope that this is a part of their answer to the upcoming VR and AR marketplace. I was disjointed that Oculus was bought by Facebook as I was hoping that Microsoft would pick them up, but when the head of the Xbox division once said he would sell that very same division if he became CEO I am still wondering if he has the intention for it to fail, because if they don't have a sensible entry in the VR marketplace then that's where they are headed.
    Reply
  • Slatteew
    I want these to be like Adam Jensen's glasses in Deus Ex:HR.
    Reply
  • jdlobb
    this would be a really cool idea for moving all of the HUD information from a game onto the glasses.
    Reply