Intel to foray into smart-glasses with Vault

Intel is set to make a foray into the smart-glasses space in what seems to be an attempt to revive the concept following the ill-fated Google Glass launch in 2013, the Verge reported yesterday.

According to commentators, the new smart spectacles, called Vault will be attractive and non-geeky enough to be worn all day, unlike Google Glass.

The Vault prototypes look like normal chunky-framed glasses, but the Verge points out that the lenses can display nonintrusive notifications and even allow the wearer to secretly play a video game midconversation. According to Intel it will start an ''early access program'' later this year to allow developers build apps and imagine use cases for the new platform.

However, the head of Intel's wearable device unit, Jerry Bautista, told the Verge, ''It is very unlikely that Intel will take it to market because we typically don't do that. Our core business [is] we work the partners, we work with others to do that. With these glasses, we're working with key ecosystem hardware providers - whether they're frames or lenses and things like that. Because we believe there's a whole channel to people who wear glasses that's already there.''

Commentators say it  seems that Intel is primarily using the Vault frames to show off ways that its tech can go inside other brands' glasses to make them ''smart.''

Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Intel Corp plans to sell a majority stake in its augmented reality business, which will start offering smart glasses to consumers as soon as this year. The report cited people familiar with the plan.

According to the report which quoted people who declined to be named as the plans are not public, the chipmaker values the division at as much as $350 million.

Intel is looking for multiple backers to invest in the unit, which has been developing smart glasses that pair by Bluetooth with a mobile phone.