I’ve been exploring the cutting edge of wearable technologies since the very beginning of my active development journey in IT, and over the years I’ve started to recognize a pattern that repeats itself more often than we like to admit.
Innovation almost always begins as something open, experimental, and full of possibilities… and gradually evolves into something controlled, optimized, and – inevitably – restricted.
Before today’s polished ecosystems and tightly integrated experiences, there was Pebble watch – a simple device with a pixel-based display, limited hardware capabilities, but an open SDK that unlocked a wave of creativity. It wasn’t just a product; it was a platform for experimentation, where developers could explore ideas freely and shape the experience themselves.
As the market matured, intellectual property wars intensified, ecosystems closed, and innovation became more curated. Apple transformed the watch into a seamless extension of personal identity and lifestyle, while Garmin positioned itself as the trusted choice for professionals, focusing on precision, endurance, and safety in real-world conditions.
Both succeeded – each in their own way.
But the open, experimental spirit that Pebble represented slowly faded.
And now, I’m seeing the same story unfold again. This time with augmented reality glasses.
In my recent experiments, I’ve explored several approaches. Lenovo Legion Glasses offer powerful screen virtualization, effectively extending devices into your field of view, but they remain focused on screens rather than true augmentation. Xiaomi Mi AI Glasses take a different direction, relying on AI and camera capabilities to create contextual awareness, which is surprisingly useful, yet still closed from a development perspective.
And then there are Even Realities G2 Glasses and R1 smart ring.
This is where things become interesting again.
The pixel-based display immediately brought me back to Pebble watch – not because of limitations, but because of what it enables. The devices is fully defined, polished, and open to allow real development.
I’ve already built two applications for G2, and the experience feels not only like using a finished product but also like participating in the creation of a new category.
It feels like we are once again in that early phase – the moment before ecosystems solidify, before standards are enforced, and before innovation becomes something you consume rather than something you shape.
History suggests what comes next: more refinement, more control, and less freedom to experiment.
Which is why the question matters now:
? What would you want to see through your glasses?
#AugmentedReality #AI #Wearables #Innovation #ARGlasses #FutureOfTech #DeveloperExperience
Source: personal experimentation & market observations
Disclaimer: This post was generated with AI assistance and reflects personal views and interpretations.
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