After years of demoing its impressive SiME smartglasses at trade events, ChipSip is finally offering you a chance to get one of your own. The Taiwanese company is selling a developer version of its Android-based wearable for $550, a limited-time price that's set to increase after April 30.
SiME has had our attention ever since Computex 2013, thanks to the glasses' unique ability to bring a full build of Android to users' eyeballs. Currently running Android 4.4.2, the augmented-reality headset's onboard storage allows users to download virtually any app from the Google Play Store. All of SiME's apps run on a transparent, 800 x 480 pixel micro display, meaning you can theoretically browse your Facebook feed while walking to work, or bring driving directions directly to your eyes.
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Though notably bulkier than Google Glass, the current developer version of SiME is the most refined yet. The all-white smartglasses use a touchpad on the right earpiece for navigation, as well as a large module in front of the right lens that houses the headset's display and 5-megapixel camera.
SiME is powered by a 1.2-GHz dual-core Cortex A9 processor with 1GB of RAM, and offers 8GB of storage. The headset can record video at up to 1080p, and ships with Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth 4.0 capabilities.
While we were impressed by SiME's capabilities during our numerous hands-on sessions with the device, the success of these glasses hinges on what productivity and entertainment applications Android developers bring to the table. You can buy SiME from ChipSip's website now for $550 until April 30, when the glasses will sell for a higher, currently undisclosed price.
Mike Andronico is an associate editor at Tom's Guide. He's ready for the AR takeover. Follow Mike @MikeAndronico. Follow us @TomsGuide, on Facebook.
