Tech inspired (or reinvigorated) by Google Glass at CES 2014 (pictures)

When it comes to hip eyewear designs, Google and its Glass wearable should take a tip from GlassUp, the crowdfunded IndieGoGo project that was in the works two years before Google co-founder Sergey Brin parachuted from the San Francisco skies wearing the smart frames.

It's hard not to gasp when laying eyes on the ridiculously enormous Ora-S AR smartglasses. But in this early stage of smart spec development, looks take a back seat to demonstrating functionality. In this case, Optinvent, the company behind the Ora-S, is focused on augmented reality.

For the best example of a personal head-up display at CES 2014, look no further than the well-made Lumus DK40. The kicker? A prototype to get creative juices flowing for other device makers, it isn't even meant to sell directly to customers.

With Google Glass out in the wild and Oculus Rift snagging headlines, Epson is readying the Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses, going on sale in March for $699 and intended for everyday consumers. Or, should we say, early adopters, because it’s still hard to figure out who would buy one.

The big, bulky frames of the PivotHead Smart Colfax camera glasses shoot 8-megapixel photos and 1080p HD video from the camera located in the center of the glasses, with buttons on the left earpierce triggering photo actions. A Bluetooth connection to your phone will also tell the glasses to turn on a row of LED notification lights when you receive a new message or call.

Avegant’s virtual retinal display technology has been covered by CNET before, but we’ve finally gotten a chance to try the latest alpha prototype of the Glyph headset in advance of the Kickstarter campaign. It’s an intriguing, if mixed, experience.