High tech specs divide digital community

Wearing a pair of glasses which house a small computer appeals to some, but others find it a potential invasion of privacy and a distraction that could make texting while driving seem safe.

Dubbed "Google Glass," the high tech specs look like something straight out of a science fiction artist's imagination, but they're quite real, and will be offered to the public by the end of the year.

The asking price is expected to be about $1,500.

They feature a miniaturized camera and a small viewing screen about the width of a pencil which sits just in front of the user's eye, and slightly above.

A small touch-controlled mechanism allows the user to scroll and select, and the device will also respond to voice commands.

Protesters have already taken to social media, decrying the potential for violation of privacy.

Others point out that smartphones have become ubiquitous, and all have the capacity to take pictures and record audio or video, so old expectations of privacy are already out the window.

The device is just one more in a list of "wearable computers" which several companies have touted in recent months.

For example, Apple is working on a smart watch, as is its smartphone rival, Samsung.

Google has also apparently developed a "talking shoe," though it's not expected to market it to the public any time soon.

The talking shoe reportedly offers feedback to the wearer about his or her walking or running activities.