We are so close!
I, too, have wished for such a device for years. I still cannot imagine we will have a worthwhile device for perhaps another 5-10 years, but I do expect such before the turn of 2020.
Almost all of the appropriate technology exists in practical form today, and for the most part is even easy to use. But I think we still need a little bit more miniaturization, and it will take time to get these assorted technologies into an affordable, non-cumbersome package.
A device the size of a cellphone, with a wireless PAN linking it to glasses (neural interface is probably at least 20 years away, and I wouldn't expect it to be affordable at that point in time either - probably 30+ years until the average consumer can afford such), could be very affordable in about 10-15 years, I reckon.
The most efficient use of glasses as a display would surely be a minimal small RFID-style tag that you can stick on whatever glasses you decide to purchase (this way, even those with prescriptions and multiple sets of glasses [such as regular and prescription sunglasses] can effectively utilize the technology without inconvenience).
And since not everyone can comfortably wear contacts, it definitely shouldn't be restricted to contacts with such a display capability.
The best approach to contacts, imho, would see an affordable nano receiver as an option to add to any contact lens (by the manufacturer, of course), which also includes a nano matrix deposited across the entire surface with a high resolution.
A minimal resolution on contacts probably won't be introduced to the market for another 10-15 years, and probably won't even be affordable for 20+ years. It is also likely it won't really be an option for just any lens, but rather very specific lenses, which also means many people won't be able to even buy them because they need specific lenses for reasons relating to comfort/moisture.
If it's minimal, and can achieve that "out of sight, out of mind" experience (aside from the AR information being fed to your eyes, of course... hard to forget about that), and is affordable to boot, I'll be all over such a device. I'd love to be able to have so much more information instantly available in a HUD-like experience.
This will definitely see military applications before ever being released as a consumer device, so I'm hoping I get to see this shit sometime soon.
And since it's related to commo equipment, if it's fielded while I am still in, I might get a chance to play with this tech.
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