Google is getting into fashion with Project Glass, in a video released on Google +, the world’s biggest search engine gave us a sneak peek at its variable technology. Glasses with a see-through computer screen, the specs would allow users to do things like take photos, get blog by blog directions, or receive a pop-up alert if a friend is nearby. Cnet.com senior editor Bridget Carey explains how it works.

Expect the computing muscle power to be connected to the phone you’re carrying, the Google android phone you are carrying through a Bluetooth connection and the glasses would be talking to your phone in your pocket, and therefore, you know, relaying the information in your line of sight.

The wrap-around shades are merely a prototype, but are already sparking controversy over privacy issues. Smart phones can already track a user’s activity and whereabouts, but Google’s glasses could provide something else, a visual record.

We’re kind of like in a wild west strait now when it comes to our privacy and what information we’re sending now and what companies are doing with it, so these are all questions that Google would have to answer and be very specific about if they are gonna launch something like this.

Beyond privacy, there are also questions about practicality.

You look at all the things all it could do to benefit your life, you know, gain alert quick, change your route on the way to work so you’re not late, that sounds kind of need, or perhaps, you know, getting information about something you’re looking at, but then you think what are all the bad applications here, another thing in our faces to distract us while we’re driving, while we’re talking to our friends, do we really need something like this?

These questions may or may not be answered, for now, the glimpse into these glasses is like one massive focus group for Google as it gauges responses from consumers and the media. The company is mum on when or whether Project Glass will produce an actual retail product.