While wearing a pair, you could see directions to where you’re going appear literally before your eyes. You can talk to friends over video chat or even buy a few things as you walk around.

Additional Photos

In this undated handout photo provided by the Google[x] group's "Project Glass", an early prototype of Google's futuristic Internet-connected glasses, are modeled. The specs are said to give you directions, let you video chat, shop and do everything else you now need a handheld gadget to accomplish. Google gave a glimpse of �Project Glass� in a video and blog post this week. (AP Photo/Google) AP

In short, these glasses can do everything you now need a smartphone or tablet computer to accomplish.

Google gave a glimpse of what “Project Glass” might soon let people do in a video and blog post this week. The technology doesn’t actually exist. Rather, Google wants to start a discussion and solicit ideas.

The glasses open up endless possibilities. But the project also hints at a minefield of challenges around privacy, practicality, even fashion sensibility.