OK techies: are you excited for these things? Personally, I'm a little freaked out by 'em, but I'm not in love with my phone either like some people.
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Glass wearers can speak commands to the eyewear, and built-in camera technology allows pictures or video to be captured from first-person perspectives while people take part in what is happening.
Glass frees the eyes as well as the hands when it comes to connecting to the Internet on the go, according to Brin.
"That is why we put the display up high, out of the line of sight," Brin said, wearing the Glass eyewear he is rarely seen without.
"If I wore a ball cap, the display would be on the brim and not where you are looking," he continued. "And sound goes through bones in the cranium, which is a little freaky at first, but you get used to it."
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Distracted driving? Get ready for Google Glasses! Increase your insurance coverage now...
I'm not so sure that chaining yourself to the Internet 24/7 is "progress", but maybe I'm falling into a Luddite phase and don't know it <shrug>.
As you can see, the device is sometimes called simply "Glass." Will Google try to own the word "glass?" If so, what happens to Toledo's nickname, the Glass City? Maybe Glass City residents will get a discount when purchasing a pair of Glass.
I have not read how people who already wear glasses are suppose to wear Glass. Prescription Glass?
Since they are somewhat obvious when worn, I could see people getting robbed of their Glass. Hopefully, the owner can snap and upload photos of the criminals before losing the Glass.
Last week, Zuck at Facebook tried on Brin's Glass. Zuck begged for a pair, but it didn't work. Facebook wants a pair to test because apparently, Facebook has a small team of developers assigned to create apps for Glass.
posted by jr
on Feb 28, 2013
at 07:46:16 am
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1 person liked this
"but maybe I'm falling into a Luddite phase" - welcome to being old, we have chips, punch, and re-runs of The Ben Stiller show in the back.
posted by dbw8906
on Feb 28, 2013
at 08:25:45 am
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2 people liked this
Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me. Of course, I thought the iPad would never catch on, lol.
posted by JoeyGee
on Feb 28, 2013
at 09:20:54 am
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i have two friends that work at google
one hates the glasses and feels like we're already way too "googled"
they other one is claiming we're at a turning point in society and within a few years we'll all be using these
posted by justareviewer
on Feb 28, 2013
at 10:44:16 am
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I'm excited to get a pair and start developing, and using. The one thing that concerns me is the voice recognition dependency.
The idea I can have 1-2 displays at any given time sounds like it'll only aid productivity. Don't want to pull out a cell phone or laptop to look up something while working? Use your glasses.
As for Zuck, he should be able to get a pair. If you're willing to dish out (think? $1800) you can join the open developers beta and get a pair.
posted by INeedCoffee
on Feb 28, 2013
at 11:41:00 am
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1 person liked this
I don't think we should be too concerned. IMO this is hardly different than checking email on your phone, Googling the address or phone number of a business, using an augmented reality app or using a GPS device...only really a new interface to these common tasks. HOWEVER, much like mobile phone apps that take advantage of the ability to know your location, use the mobile phone camera and other sensors and features, there will be many clever uses thought up by creative people for these that will amaze us.
I have little doubt that eventually eye movement will supplement voice commands and your mobile phone will be rendered obsolete, but I'm certain that the ability to record video wherever you go will force us to (long overdue) confront some privacy issues.
posted by breeman
on Feb 28, 2013
at 12:29:41 pm
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"supposedly google is in talks with a fashion eye glass company to make them less techy looking"
If a feature of Google Glass gives the false impression that the person wearing them is attentive, then the Homers out there will want a pair.
Here's a NY Times story from last September about models wearing Google Glass. See what it's like to walk the runway.
I'm certain that the ability to record video wherever you go will force us to (long overdue) confront some privacy issues.
There are already enough cameras following me "for my security" everywhere I go. I don't need to see a flippin' lens on someone's eyewear too.
I don't know how Brin can say this will make people less anti-social. Seems like a way to dive deeper into the Internet at all times...even when having a conversation with someone.
It'll be like those Bluetooth headsets--which haven't caused people to become more social because they are hands-free.
posted by oldhometown
on Feb 28, 2013
at 03:07:46 pm
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Bluetooth headsets are a pet peeve of mine...usually worn by people no one want's to call anyway.
I'm sure you don't get a call every five minutes so take the d*mn thing off already!!! /endrant
posted by breeman
on Feb 28, 2013
at 04:22:04 pm
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Fun story, when I was in college I had a part time job as a back end developer for a VR company.
Long story short. It used cell phones (for internet) tethered to a PDA and GPS to take geospot snapshots record them for others in the group to view and follow.
Then say you walk up to a coffee shop you like, you could tag it, write a message (later add video, sound, pic) but phones didn't have those then.
So next day you're walking the same path your friend previous did. You could see an augmented reality (media,text,etc) pop up when you hit that tag point.
Was really meant to be a VR layer above the real natural world that you could interact with while on spot.
Was really an amazing system for mid-late 90's. Some of my proudest code.
Hoping something like that can be added to Glass or other social groups. Was sad to see the project/company go away.
posted by INeedCoffee
on Feb 28, 2013
at 10:38:59 pm
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