Google Glass

[Jacob Roman]

I am a bit skeptical about Google Glass coming out later this year. It sounds like a great idea in theory, but thats if you look pass its flaws and limitations. I like the fact that Sergey Brin (cofounder of Google) said in a presentation that smart phones and tablets are socially isolating people. People are always looking down starring at a screen and not talking to the people directly in front of them. And one of the main reasons why they created Google Glass. However, are these the only capabilities of Google Glass?

From what I got out of that site, you can see what time it is, take a picture (with a wink, I think thats pretty clever), record a video, share photos and videos either live or later on, speak to send messages to others, map navigation, ask Glass questions (similar to a Google search), Google translation in real time (according to news article HERE), and last but not least, answers without having to ask. And all those features you can do hands free. On top of that, it has Bluetooth and WiFi built in, have the ability to pair up with your Android devices, and will come in 5 colors. You will also have the ability to snap on their version of either sunglasses or just clear glasses onto the nose bridge.

But really? Thats all? Let me ask you something. What do smart phones and tablets have that Google Glass doesn't have? For starters, webbrowsing. People want to go on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and just about a billion other sites out there. Unless you are able to by pairing up with the Android, why does it not have this? Another thing is that I don't see any way of using apps on it. That would be a feature that would make Google billions alone on. I mean, wouldn't be awesome to develop apps for Glass that utilize it and add even more features than what it already came with? Similar to a smart phone and tablet that have this feature, where apps can make your experience with it better. Which brings me to music. Wouldnt it be cool to listen to your favorite mp3s on Glass? Does the device even have sound? And since it didnt say anything about it supporting apps, it looks like it wont have games either.

And then of course the dangers of using this device. People are already driving with their phones and tablets, which is bad enough, but imagine people driving with Glass. They are obviously gonna be coming out with laws up the *** to prevent people from using this device while driving. Then of course you have the privacy issues. You wont know if the other persons recording. They can walk in a public bathroom and record you peeing just to fulfill their nasty fantasies. They can walk into a ladies lockerroom to catch some boobies, I mean theres about a million filthy possibilities with this thing. Hell, you can go to a movie theater and film an entire movie....if the battery lasts that long. From what I heard the device has a very short battery life. If it can exceed 2 hours, then yea, its possible.

Possible competition? Why Apple of course. And these are my predictions. Apple will not only have a catchy name for their device, but add features Google failed to in this new piece of technology. And what will Apple possibly call this thing? iGlass. Isn't that clever. You know damn well they are gonna call it an "eyeglass". Who wouldnt call it that?!! And get this. In Belgium, they are designing a computer inside a contact lens. This kind of technology could replace tablets and smartphones. You can find the article HERE. So what if Apple does it. Are they gonna call it iContact? Wow I'm good at this. "Eye Contact." At least then, people will literally have eye contact rather than socially isolating themselves from the real world through the use of tablets and smartphones. What do you people think?

[baja_yu]

I think you're missing the point. Right now, they aren't meant to replace your smartphone, but to augment it and allow you to do most (as many) common things you do with your phone. Hence the pairing with the phone. And it will be able to communicate with other apps, and you will be able to develop for it. If I remember correctly, wasn't one of the requirements for signing up for the trial that you are a registered Android developer? And it does have sound through bone conduction. Judging by all the questions it looks like you haven't even researched the basics of this device, so it might be the reason why you are missing it's point completely.

As for privacy issues, yes, there will be some. But every other technology including cell phones (pre smartphone era) with cameras had them. And what about digital recorders that can record sound without you knowing it. It'll boil down to a combination of etiquette and place-specific rules which will take care of it, and those will be worked out on the go, as we run into them. Like everything else in history so stop being a drama queen. And one final thing, no one is interested in seeing you take a piss, seriously.

[dunfiddlin]

They can walk into a ladies lockerroom to catch some boobies

They could? Can't say I've ever seen one there.

[baja_yu]

The blue footed booby is rare in these parts of the world. They're mostly found in central and north part of south america.

[szlamany]

It gets worse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1j1RYcrLbQ

[Jacob Roman]

Don't forget the POV shots in the porn industry. Thats where Google will probably unfortunately get most of its sales.

[szlamany]

Isn't the whole interweb business model based on that?

Something to do with Al Gore - right?

Or was it Woody Allen in the Sleeper...

[baja_yu]

Don't forget the POV shots in the porn industry. Thats where Google will probably unfortunately get most of its sales.

Oh yeah, definitely. You can see that the porn industry is really struggling with those POV shots, so little material of that type around. A mediocre 720p camera with a tiny lens that doesn't let much light through, and can't be connected to audio or any other external equipment is all they ever wanted. You do know that until know porn wasn't shot with iPhones, right?

[akhileshbc]

They can walk into a ladies lockerroom to catch some boobies

That means Google Glass comes with a camouflage feature for those who are wearing it ? Awesome! Can you please pre-order one for me..?

[techgnome]

Yeah, it's not meant to replace the smartphone but be an extension of it... let's say you're walking along... got your google glasses on... phone rings... instantly your HUD lights up and gives you the caller ID... with a swipe of your finger along the side of the glasses you can ignore the call or take it.... now later, a text message comes in... again, your HUD lights up and displays the message for you... you can then respond or not. So how is that different from jsut the phone? you didn't have to stop biking, walking, running, whatever to do all this... no need to pull the phone out and look at the display... also, the display is just a small, transparent square in the corner of your vision... kinda like Picture in Picture on the TV.

-tg

[Jacob Roman]

Oh yeah, definitely. You can see that the porn industry is really struggling with those POV shots, so little material of that type around. A mediocre 720p camera with a tiny lens that doesn't let much light through, and can't be connected to audio or any other external equipment is all they ever wanted. You do know that until know porn wasn't shot with iPhones, right?

It was on Drudgereport. Numerous porn companies want their hands on it.

[akhileshbc]

Serious question: won't it cause any issues with the eyes? I mean, the small sized screen is situated near the right glass isn't it. So, if we try to focus on that screen, both our eyes would go in weird direction. Isn't it ?

[Jacob Roman]

Ever seen that Steve Martin movie called The Jerk? He was just an average stupid man who made millions off of an invention called the Optigrab, only to later lose everything due to it making everyone crosseyed.

[techgnome]

Nope... it's a HUD - Heads up Display... so it should always be in focus...
that's why people like me can't wear them... I have an astigmatism that would prevent it from working correctly.

the image is projected out onto a tiny prism out infront of your eye... you see through it, but you can see it... if that makes any kind of sense...

-tg