The Japan Trend Shop also says the 2mm-thick lenses wouldn't shatter, even if a 500g 1.1-pound shaft of iron is dropped on them from 4 feet. You know, for those times when you escape the clinches of some evil mastermind at the last minute. I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, but it still kinda sounds like they're just pulling numbers out of the air.

If you're in the market for a pair of super-rugged glasses, these puppies will only set you back $317. Yikes. [Japan Trend Shop via DVICE]

Traditionally, these light-to-dark lenses have been constructed by coating a normal lens with a photochromic dye. When UV light hits the dye, the individual molecules expand, darkening the lens and absorbing light. Coating contacts, however, doesn't work so well.

So researchers in Singapore have laced contacts with a matrix on nano tunnels filled with these photochromic dyes. Not only has the team been successful in producing transition contacts; these contacts darken in the presence of UV light faster than standard lenses (just 10 to 20 seconds).

Researchers are now working on isolating the photochromic material to just corneal region of your eye, granting you all of the UV filtering without turning your entire iris black.

But until they graft the timeless style of a Wayfarer onto my eyeball, I'll pass. [Technology Review and image]

This week, Gizmodo is exploring the enhanced human future in a segment we call This Cyborg Life. It's about what happens when we treat our body less as a sacred object and more as what it is: Nature's ultimate machine.

Indeed, not looking like Geordi is a good thing, but the Wrap 310 also features true 16x9 widescreen, twin high resolution displays, noise isolating earphones and compatibility with almost any video player—including the iPod and iPhone. Along those lines, Vuzix notes that the Wrap 310 is also upgradeable with an expansion port that can be used to accommodate changes in player design. Pricing and release information have not been announced.

Vuzix Launches Stylish Wrap™ 310 Widescreen Video Eyewear

Newly updated, sunglass-style form factor improves comfort and style while delivering
true 16 x 9 widescreen video

Experience the technology first hand at the 2009 ShowStoppers for the Digital Holidays
September 16th in New York and the 2009 Tokyo Games Show September 24th – 27th

Rochester, NY – September 15, 2009 – Vuzix Corporation, the leader in video eyewear for the consumer,
defense and low vision markets, is thrilled to launch the Wrap 310. The game-changing Wrap 310 challenges
the status quo of traditional video viewing devices by looking and feeling like normal sunglasses. The Wrap
310 will feature twin high-resolution video displays, project a 55-inch screen and include removable noise
isolating earphones. Powered for up to 6 hours on just 2 AA batteries, the Wrap 310 will accept video from
almost any video player, including the iPod and iPhone.

Whether you are an executive business traveler or want an immersive console gaming experience, the Wrap
310 will get the job done in style. With composite video input and optional VGA and component compatibility
adapters, the Wrap 310 is the most versatile pair of video eyewear on the market. Additionally, as the first
video eyewear designed for upgradeability, the Wrap 310 will feature an expansion port designed to provide
the product with near limitless compatibility. In addition to the soon to be available VGA and Component
adapters, Vuzix has plans for exciting accessories designed to keep the Wrap 310 on the cutting edge.

Please see a complete list of compatible devices below.

"The Wrap 310 is the first device to merge the look of video eyewear and traditional sunglasses into one," said
Vuzix CEO, Paul Travers. "We are excited to be a part of the mobile video revolution and are thrilled to be
globally unveiling the Wrap 310 at Showstoppers for the Digital Holidays and the Tokyo Game Show," added
Travers.

The Wrap 310 also features an improved on-screen user interface, included independent focus adjustments for
users with corrective lenses and still features compatibility with all major 3D video formats. Users now have
the option to select various lens colors to personalize their Wrap 310.

Compatible Devices Include:

• All iPod/iPhone models

• Portable DVD players
• Mobile phones with video output
• PCs and laptops*
• Televisions
• DVD/Blu-Ray players
• Portable media players

*Requires VGA output

[Vuzix]

Too bad these glasses can't store the images you see. Last week at the beach I saw some things I would like to remember. Then again, I saw other things that I would reaaaally like to forget. At any rate, they will be available for $200 this October—just in time for...fall? [Men.Style via GetUSB via Technabob via Geekologie]

Starting this spring, hipster-fashion-tape-design-company Azumi & David will sell you sunglasses tape. We'd like to believe that the sticky ribbon is merely intended to spruce up a shirt or a bag, you know, with the treasured facade of casually dangling glasses. We'd like to believe that.

But you know what? At minimum, two poor Azumi & David models are penciling in their eye expressions as we speak. [trend de la creme via geekologie]

Apparently, the Wrao 920AV will be "the first to actually function as sunglasses or portable video eyewear. It’ll combine virtual reality (VR) capabilities as well as augmented reality (AR) features." Holy crap that is awesome. We have enjoyed Vuzix products in the past, but these things have us giddy with excitement. [Vuzix]

The “Self-Energy Converting Sunglasses” concept uses a dye solar cell combined with unspecified nanotech to generate electricity while, presumably, still allowing you to see. The electricity passes through the frames to a port in the back of the glasses. Then a cord runs down your neck to your gadget of choice.

Hopefully by the time someone creates a working production model, we'll be beyond such desperate attempts to charge our portable technology. Or maybe the glasses will at least hide a halfway decent HUD inside. [Yanko]

The materials list is pretty straightforward, and the only real issue will be finding a badass pair of sunglasses at your local drug store.

• Two red LEDs
• Two 100 Ohm resistors
• Solder and soldering iron
• A watch battery - I used a 3.3V one I had lying around
• Solid hookup wire (two colors), about a six inches worth

The soldering is optional but recommended. Driving, however, is not recommended while wearing, black leather jacket or not. Actually, on second thought, we doubt you'll be able to do much of anything while wearing these. [GEARFUSE]

Made from a miniPOV device, Okini393939's shades cost a fraction of the versions you get in the Sharper Edge, innit? [MAKE]

Benny stated, "the new glasses we're nauseating" with regards to the glance-down viewing, but he did report decent comfort when wearing. Each model features a brand new design and new specs over their older Edge model. The biggest difference is in the displays, since the Crystal features a new VGA display that provides the best video among the other models and the Shades has the same QVGA display that are in the old Edge model, so video doesn't look that great. Both feature rechargeable batteries and integrated in-ear ear buds, with the Shades having a 10-hour viewing time, as opposed to only four hours on the Crystal.

Both models are available in three weeks with various colors, making you look way better than Wesley Snipes in any of his Sci-Fi flicks. [MyVu]

[NotCot]

The technology behind the device has been whittled down to a paltry 7 grams, meaning performance interference will be kept to a minimum. The physics behind the relaying of the image is rather nifty, but it involves far too many reflections from one place to another for it to make any sense to us. The image originates from a small LED display, which draws its power from a battery embedded in the glasses' left arm.

Mike Hazel, of Cambridge Consultants, one of the firms involved in the development, pointed out such technology is usually large, bulky and exclusively for military use. Their product hopes to break from the norm. The prototype (pictured) sources its information from a wireless link between a wristwatch the athlete wears. The German company behind the display, Rodenstock, are keen to implement a larger screen than the current 160 x 120 LCD display, which will be tweaked to provide even more information.

The device is set to go into production in 2009 and a ballpark figure for the price will be around $1000-$1500. OK, so we aren't going to use these for physical training, but if we could get them modded to relay our RSS feeds... [New Scientist]

The lens material is called "Plutonite," said to filter out 100% of ultraviolet rays up to 400nm, and then there's also "Unobtanium," the magical substance (that must be hard to somehow get your hands on) of which the frames are made. And then of course, there is a "hydrophobic" lens coating that must be really scared of water because it chases away rain drops, plus it can repel slime and various particles of dead skin and dust, too. Let's hope it's not afraid of fireworks, for those who insist on wearing their sunglasses at night.

Peering beyond that creative marketing, we're looking at this product through rose-colored glasses, because these are some great-looking shades even though they will set you back three C-notes. The clever naming schemes are just an added entertainment bonus. Maybe other companies will join in and come up with their own kooky names for their products. We can only hope.

Product Page [Oakley, Inc., via Pop Gadget]

American Inventor Spot [via Coolest Gadgets]

On a related note: at a football game a couple months ago I saw a person wearing the old Thumps and running down the stairs, he proceeded to fall and tumble down a bit. I think it was karma. True story. – Travis Hudson

Oakley Announced Thump Pro [CrunchGear]