Google Glass has been getting a lot of news overage lately. The latest one was when Google co-founder Sergey Brin, appeared at TED 2013, declared using a smartphone as “emasculating.” Whilst the whole premise of the Google Glass is awesome, and I am sure that every geek in the planet wants one (including me), there are some issues that I am struggling with.
Technologically speaking, there is nothing short of amazing with the Google Glass. However, unless the built-in camera is of high quality, I do not think that it will replace a smartphone as a portable camera. Camera-carrying geeks definitely wouldn’t mind it. For video streaming and Google Hangout, maybe a decent resolution camera would suffice. And oh, you still need a smartphone to tether this critter.
As for actual usage, for some use-cases, the Google Glass is perfect. For example, surgeons would be better off having quick access to patient vitals, etc. during surgery. The military is already using a similar technology, heads-up display technology, to determine friends from foes, displaying maps and information about his/her environment. There are definitely lots of different ways where Google Glass is very useful, but would it be that useful wearing it every single time?
When will I use Google Glass? Apart from using one to develop applications inside our laboratory, I’d use it when attending conferences so I can easily take photos and/or record videos during a keynote. Outside of that, when interacting with conference participants, I’d take it off. It is bad enough that I sometimes look down on my smartphone to check it when it buzzes, at least the person I am interacting with knows that I got distracted. Maybe I’ll take it when I go out of town -- so I’d get access to the map and directions. It’d be perfect when visiting a museum or the park. Imagine getting information about a painting you are looking at without looking away from it (might be pushing it a bit, I agree).
With the Google Glass, it is quite tricky to find out if the person you are talking to (the one wearing the Glass) is paying attention. What is even more difficult is asking that person to remove it so you are guaranteed that you get his/her full attention, but what if s/he is wearing prescription glasses?
Have you had the experience of walking in a group and then someone in the group suddenly bursts into a conversation, as if talking to him/herself like a crazy person, only to realize that s/he is wearing a bluetooth headphone? Happened to me several times. Bluetooth headphones have their purpose -- used when you are driving, not when you are socializing. The same use-case might be applied to Google Glass. The last hands-free device, the bluetooth headphone, makes you look like a dork. At least Google Glass is a bit better.
The Google Glass, to me, is just another screen that is perfect for hands-free access to everything your smartphone can do. It definitely is not as useful as your smartphone, nor as wearable and less intrusive as a watch, but it definitely is a cool device! Yes, I definitely want one now!