Google Glass is essentially a wearable computer that features a head-mounted display. It is similar in many ways to the familiar smart phone, but instead of having to reach into your pocket to access features Glass will display the information using a heads up-display.
(example of what the user would see in the upper right eye field of vision)
Google Glass: Form & Function
So what doe Glass look like? Is it comfortable? Is is bulky? Is it aesthetically pleasing or does it look awkward?
While there will always be early adopters who are eager to try the newest technology, for a product to be truly universal often times it must be well designed in form and function for it to truly be well received. This is especially the case if the product is designed to be worn on your head.
Let's take a look at Glass's form:
(profile view of Glass, you can clearly see the heads-up display in the upper right of form)
(close up look at the heads-up display)
As you can see Glass essentially looks like a pair so sunglasses without the lens. The computer is seated along the right side of the frame.
Glass can currently be equipped with a sun glass type tinted lens.
(example of Glass with tinted lens)
Currently in the prototype phase (or discovery program, more on that later) Glass cannot be used with prescription lens. However, Google has confirmed that Glass will ultimately be able to be used with prescription lens.
Google has also considered partnering with established sun glass makers such as Ray-Ban in order to develop new styles.
Is Glass bulky?
In order for Glass to be wildly adopted it must be comfortable to wear. Because Glass is still essentially in it's testing stage I could not find a listed weight. However according to a New York Times article Glass "is now lighter than a typical pair of sunglasses".
Is Glass durable?
Well, that is still to be seen. However I did find an image that demonstrates the flexibility of Glass's frame.
As previous mentioned Glass is still essentially in it's testing phase and the final form is most likely yet to be seen. Additionally Glass is really just wearable computer so it stands to reason the there will be many design forms of Glass (and from future competitors).
Google Glass: Technical Specifications
So what are Glass's guts made of?
Here are the details (courtesy of Wikipedia):
| Operating system | Android[4] (4.0.4[5]) |
|---|---|
| CPU | OMAP 4430 SoC, Dual-Core |
| Storage capacity | 16 GB Flash total (12 GB of usable memory)[6] |
| Memory | 1GB RAM (682MB available to developers) |
| Sound | Bone Conduction Transducer[6] |
| Camera | Photos - 5 MP, Videos - 720p[6] |
| Connectivity | Wifi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth[6] |
| Backward compatibility |
Any Bluetooth-capable phone, The MyGlass companion app requires Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher[6] |
Glass: Capabilities
Okay, so now that we know a little bit about what Glass is, it's form and function, and it's technical specifications, lets talk about the cool stuff. Namely, what Glass can do.
Glass currently can:
-Take photos and record HD video
- Utilize existing Google applications such as:
- Google Maps
- Google Now
- Google +
- Gmail
- Some third party applications have also been announced such as:
-Evernote
-Skitch
-The New York Times
- Path
Video provides a brief tutorial on how to use Glass:
Check out the video below to get a first hand look at Glass
As you can see some of Glass functions are through vocal commands.
Some of the current voice commands (courtesy of Wikipedia) for Glass are:
Currently most of these features are designed to be used by linking to a smart phone via Bluetooth connection.
History of development:
From Wikipedia:
"Although head-worn displays for augmented reality are not a new idea, the project has drawn media attention[17] primarily due to its backing by Google, as well as the prototype design, which is smaller and slimmer than previous designs for head-mounted displays.[18] The first Glass demo resembles a pair of normal eyeglasses where the lens is replaced by a head-up display.[19] Around August 2011, a Glass prototype weighed 8 pounds; the device is now lighter than the average pair of sunglasses.[1] In the future, new designs may allow integration of the display into people's normal eyewear.[10][20]
According to several Google employees, the Glass was originally predicted to be available to the public for "around the cost of current smartphones" by the end of 2012,[21] but other reports stated that the Glass was not expected to be available for purchase by then.[22][23][24]
The Explorer Edition is available to testers and Google I/O developers in the United States for $1,500, to be delivered in early 2013,[3] while a consumer version will be available by the end of 2013 for "significantly less" than the Explorer Edition.[25][26]
The product began testing in April 2012.[27] Sergey Brin wore a prototype of the Glass to an April 5, 2012 Foundation Fighting Blindness event in San Francisco.[28][29] In May 2012, Glass was demonstrated in the first test video shot with the eyewear, demonstrating the 720p HD first-person video recording capabilities of the device.[30] Sergey Brin demonstrated the Glass on The Gavin Newsom Show, and California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom also wore the Glass.[31] On June 27, 2012, he also demonstrated the Glass at Google I/O where skydivers, abseilers, and mountain bikers wore the Glass and live streamed their point of view to a Google+ Hangout, which was also shown live at the Google I/O presentation.[32] In February 2013, Google released a demo video showcasing the voice-augmented display of the Glass filming various experiences in first-person.[33][34]
Google is currently working on models that can be used with prescription lenses. In a Google+ post, Google stated that it will not be ready for the Explorer Edition of Glass; however, consumers can expect it later in 2013."
How Glass has been used:
On February 20th 2013, Google launched the Glass Explorer Program that solicited "bold, creative individuals" to test the device in a sort of beta program. Those who applied did so by posting a message to Twitter or Google+ stating how they would use Glass. The chosen testers then convened in either New York, San Francisco or Los Angles to receive the device and to get instruction on its use.
Here's a few videos from the Explorer Program:
(ice hockey practice)
(Solving a puzzle)
(Go-Kart track)
(Violin Practice)
Potential future uses:
As with most technologies it is often amazing how they will be put to use when they reach the mass market. Here are some that I've thought of and other taken from a post on Mashable I stumbled across.
1. Police Officers:
Glass would be a great tool for police officers. It could be used to send video to other officers, take pictures of evidence, and let them access data hands free. It could also be used to ensure that citizen's rights are being respected by police officers. It could provide real world training examples for other officers.
2. EMT's:
Similar to police officers EMT's could receive medical info on the fly if needed. The video could also be used to send to a command center for information purposes. Video chat could be used to coordinate personal in catastrophe situations.
3. Job interviews:
Want to have the whole department interview the next candidate but Sally is on vacation?
With Glass she can sit in on the meeting without leaving the beach.
Potential disadvantages to society:
With the good uses of Glass there are also many privacy concerns to be considered. Currently Glass has a light that will indicate if it is capturing video. However, this light would be easy to disable.
The big concern is that users could record audio and video or take pictures without the subjects consent. It's pretty easy to imagine all of the ways that this could be problematic in society.
Potential Cost and Availability:
Current projections have the initial cost of Glass at around the $1,500 price point. However it is yet to be seen what the price will be.
Analyst estimate that Glass could be available in "early 2013".
Thanks for checking out my blog!
Connor
Connor
