Fashion models put on Google Glass for Vogue

Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. and Google Inc. are all developing electronic devices that people wear instead of carry. But Google’s getting a jump among the fashion-minded.

The company’s Glass eyewear is worn by models in 12 pages of the 902-page September issue of Vogue magazine. Vogue said it would not release the photos until Wednesday. However, a Google employee posted a snapshot on Google+.

Glass is expected to be available for public purchase early next year, and Google wants to make sure people see the eyewear as something cool rather than dorky.

A Google Glass device fits around the nose and ears similar to regular glasses. But it features a small lens on one side. Using a button on the frame and voice commands, users can do most of the things they use their phone for, including making calls and taking photos.

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The coverage for Glass comes in Vogue’s most iconic issue. Last September’s issue had a record 916 pages -- mostly ads -- and featured Lady Gaga on the cover. This year, it’s actress Jennifer Lawrence.

“The September issue is the blockbuster month,” said Vogue editor Anna Wintour in a video about the new issue. “We want the September issue to be a place where our readers can dream and escape and enjoy fashion in one way they can’t any other place…It’s about the best of the best.”

The issue, which hits stores this week, comes right before New York Fashion Week from Sept. 5-12.

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That’s about the time Samsung is reportedly planning to unveil a smartwatch with functionality similar to Glass. But it’s still to be seen whether Samsung can convince people besides early tech adopters to use a smartwatch or if it will be stuck in the calculator-watch set.

In other Glass news, Google last week secured a patent for a technique to use a “head-mounted” device to track what someone is looking at.

While Google currently does not allow ads on Glass apps, the patent has stirred speculation that advertisers could someday pay per gaze generated on items such as billboards, bus ads and posters. The gaze-tracker could also sense the viewer’s emotion and reaction.

The patent application was filed two years ago by Hartmut Neven, a former USC professor, who now oversees engineering at Google.

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