Comments:"Google+"
15 hours ago . Public
This week I gave five speeches while wearing it.
I passed through airports four times (two more in a couple of hours).
I let hundreds of people try my Google Glass.
I have barely taken it off since getting it other than to sleep.
Here's my review after having Google Glass for two weeks:
1. I will never live a day of my life from now on without it (or a competitor). It's that significant.
2. The success of this totally depends on price. Each audience I asked at the end of my presentations "who would buy this?" As the price got down to $200 literally every hand went up. At $500 a few hands went up. This was consistent, whether talking with students, or more mainstream, older audiences.
3. Nearly everyone had an emotional outburst of "wow" or "amazing" or "that's crazy" or "stunning."
4. At NextWeb 50 people surrounded me and wouldn't let me leave until they had a chance at trying them. I haven't seen that kind of product angst at a conference for a while. This happened to me all week long, it is just crazy.
5. Most of the privacy concerns I had before coming to Germany just didn't show up. I was shocked by how few negative reactions I got (only one, where an audience member said he wouldn't talk to me with them on). Funny, someone asked me to try them in a bathroom (I had them aimed up at that time and refused).
6. There is a total generational gap that I found. The older people said they would use them, probably, but were far more skeptical, or, at minimum, less passionate about the fact that these are the future, than the 13-21-year-olds I met.
So, let's cover the price, first of all. I bet that +Larry Page is considering two price points: something around $500, which would be very profitable. Or $200, which is about what the bill of materials costs. When you tear apart the glasses, like someone else did (I posted that to my Flipboard "Glasshole" magazine) you see a bunch of parts that aren't expensive. This has been designed for mass production. In other words, millions of units. The only way Google will get there is to price them under $300.
I wouldn't be shocked if Larry went very aggressive and priced them at $200. Why would Google do this?
Easy: I'm now extremely addicted to Google services. My photos and videos automatically upload to Google+. Adding other services will soon be possible (I just got a Twitter photo app that is being developed by a third party) but turning on automatic uploads to other services will kill my batteries on both my phone and my glasses (which doesn't have much battery life anyway). So, I'm going to be resistant to adding Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Evernote, and Tumblr to my glasses. Especially when Google+ works darn well and is the default.
Also, Google is forbidding advertising in apps. This is a HUGE shift for Google's business model. I believe Larry Page is moving Google from an advertising-based company to a commerce based company.
The first thing I tried that it failed on was "find me a Sushi restaurant." I'm sure that will get fixed soon and, Google could collect a micropayment anytime I complete a transaction like reserving a seat at a restaurant, or getting a book delivered to my house, or, telling something like Bloomingdales "get me these jeans."
There is literally billions of dollars to be made with this new commerce-based system, rather than force us to sit and look at ads, the way Facebook and tons of other services do.
When you wear these glasses for two weeks you get the affordance is totally different and that having these on opens you up to a new commerce world. Why?
1. They are much more social than looking at a cell phone. Why? I don't need to look away from you to use Google, or get directions, or do other things.
2. The voice works and works with nearly every one and in every situation. It's the first product that literally everyone could use it with voice. It's actually quite amazing, even though I know that the magic is that it expects to hear only a small number of things. "OK Glass, Take a Picture" works. "OK Glass, Take a Photo" doesn't. The Glass is forcing your voice commands to be a certain set of commands and no others will be considered. This makes accuracy crazy high, even if you have an accent.
I continue to be amazed with the camera. It totally changes photography and video. Why? I can capture moments. I counted how many seconds it takes to get my smartphone out of my pocket, open it up, find the camera app, wait for it to load, and then take a photo. Six to 12 seconds. With Google Glass? Less than one second. Every time. And I can use it without having hands free, like if I'm carrying groceries in from the car and my kids are doing something cute.
I've been telling people that this reminds me of the Apple II, which I unboxed with my dad back in 1977. It was expensive. It didn't do much. But I knew my life had changed in a big way and would just get better and better. Already this week I've gotten a new RSS app, the New York Times App, and a Twitter app. With many more on the way.
This is the most interesting new product since the iPhone and I don't say that lightly.
Yeah, we could say the camera isn't good in low light. We could say it doesn't have enough utility. It looks dorky. It freaks some people out (it's new, that will go away once they are in the market).
But I don't care. This has changed my life. I will never live a day without it on.
It is that significant.
Now, Larry, find a way to make it $200 and you'll have a major hit on your hands.
(Attached are dozens of photos I shot over the past two weeks with it).
Hunching over a smartphone, or before that a blackberry, has always been a bit of a hack. Maybe this will deliver us from the dreaded hunch. Thanks for the review!
I still remember when I saw it in last year's io.. It blew my mind.. Everyone including ur self dismissed this as a gimmick.. I am glad it's caught on and is probably the future of computing
After 2 months with Android when I had just spent a half a decade with with iOS I can't believe how much I have been missing. If Google puts a $300 price tag on it, I will buy it. Any more I will be hesitant.
I'm really hoping that they don't hold the Glass Explorers program to the $1500 number. I'm really excited about the prospect of being an Explorer, but that price point is ouchy. My kids will still get Christmas, but it hurts to have to pass the cost of beta on to the beta tester.
Thanks for the Glass two-weeks in review. I've been on the fence about the utility of such devices and been waiting to get feedback from real-world users before deciding whether I should be an earlier adopter. Your comments, and posts, have pushed me to the "definitely try soon" side of the fence.
Shedules dont look like real life, check description, same, check last's weeks pictures, classified as PUB, uncircle, have a nice day...
From all I've heard, seen and read about it I think it can be very successful and could become the next big thing.
Thanks Robert. Excellent. Now I want them (it?). ... Resistance is useless
Good to see they work for people who wear glasses.
We've been waiting for another technology behavioral usage cases since the iPhone came out, it only happens every few years (iPod/iTunes did it with music, Kindle with books, Facebook/Twitter with connecting people and so on).
The problem I have with Glass is that I know about these things for a long time now and I also know I'll have to wait about a year longer until I get my hands on them.
That said, I work for a major computer OEM. I test pre-production product (thought not in the public domain). The company pays for the product and gets ROI from the content I produce that solves customer issues. I'm not seeing a huge stretch between that and Google subsidizing the pre-pro Glass product with the knowledge that they're going to get ROI from it through my interaction with everything, everywhere.
I suppose at the end of the day they have a product that customers will pay for at any price for first-run, so I should be happy and pay my money and be quiet. But Google wants me to be loud. They want me to be everywhere, evangelizing their product with shouts of joy. I have been able to do that with every Google product I've touched thus far (going back to my OG Droid). I hope that trend continues.
Robert I love how passionate your reviews are, awesome review as I'm very interested in this product. Price break seems like a very important factor to make this in more hands. The exposure of Google's products like G+ would be a good sacrifice for the price drop.
Great review Robert! Finally an user oriented review instead of 'tech design' review. I can see myself walking around with them and yes for €/$200 I would buy them straight away. Hopefully Larry is reading your review too...
I just love the photo of Andrew Keen(e?) He has such a great grumpy expression in general. Now we know what it is like to experience it in the ring!
Just had another thought about the price point. Suppose you have a family. Dad, Mum, two kids. They'll all want their own pair. At $200-$300 a pair, it's a deal. Anything more, and you're going to need to share, and who wants to share? How can you hangout with your family if you've only got one pair?
Nice post. Did you win the lottery and get to pay the $1500? :-) Random nitpick: why worry about posting to each service individually? Why wouldn't you upload it to Google or Facebook or Service X and then that service replicates it to all of the other services? That way you upload the photo once and then the cloud service deals with putting it wherever else you want it to be.
Add gaming capability, and I would pay $1000-$1500
One question, you state you almost only remove them for sleeping.. But does the battery really last that long? I.e. at least more than 8-10h?
if you are in san jose and you dont mind people trying your google glass i would love to try them, as soon as they get released i will probably buy a pair as i think they are the coolest thing out
Am curious, do you remove them to drive? or were you not driving during your trial.
I see pros and cons to this. I have not tried them, and I do see the amazing pros. But will this take away from people's focus in daily life? You say you did not have to get out your cell phone while talking to someone...but at least we can recognize when someone is not paying attention to us if they whip out their cell phone. With these, can people be having conversations and be looking and focusing on where they are going to eat next with Google Glass? Can we be conducting meetings and everyone is online shopping or looking at sports highlights through their Google Glass and pretending to pay attention?
Technology is everywhere around us...and it helps improve and make our lives easier, but I have noticed that it can also take away from what life is all about. People on the trains where I live don't converse because their noses are stuck in their smart phones (now with Google Glass, they will be focusing on something no one else is seeing and speaking in commands to themselves?) People walk across cross walks looking at their phones with this invincible notion that cars will not hit them...I guess with Glass you are still able to see everything around you, but none the less, maybe you aren't paying attention either?
I would feel a bit uncomfortable knowing that every conversation I had with someone was recorded, and had the option of being replayed to prove a point, used against me, used to tell a story to someone else, edited, put on social media without my consent...the options can be endless. Some conversations I would have loved to hear again; ones with my grandfather, parents...so that is where you weigh the idea of the product.
Google glass can serve as a memory bank for us throughout our lives if we wear them, which I think can be amazing. But I do not know if I want every single moment in my life recorded, or more focused on recording it then experiencing it.
I can't wait to get one for myself.
Very nice article, interesting to read!
I would be curious to hear a bit more about the HUD. I'm sure the camera and cloud services can improve quickly. The HUD tech though -- is it good? It's clear enough; you can read the text, etc.?
Great review BTW. :)
Lindsey I have shown them to dozens of normal people and every time I get a "wow." There simply isn't that big a privacy issue. The people who are scared are simply not matching with what I am hearing on the street.
Like you said in Berlin, it's about competition between you and me and the one with the information first will win. With Google Glass information is closer than one's fingertips; it's a blink away.
Just wait until the super cheap (Chinese) knock-offs appear. That's when this genre will become interesting.
Lindsey you simply do not understand how they work. They do NOT record everything.
"I would feel a bit uncomfortable knowing that every conversation I had with someone was recorded, and had the option of being replayed to prove a point, used against me, used to tell a story to someone else, edited, put on social media without my consent...the options can be endless."
Robert has addressed some of this in previous posts.
MIght be best not to hang out with creeps wearing Glass. Best not to have intimate conversations with creeps in general.
If you end up in the background of someone's video snippet who is sitting at the other side of the bar or restaurant, well, that can happen anyway with mobile handsets.
Just doesn't seem like a whole new sort of privacy catastrophe to me.
Joe sorry, I totally disagree. This is NOT a full Smartphone. It doesn't have anything in it that is expensive other than the projector and prism, which my friends in supply chain say will cost less than $50 in quantity.
I have a use for Google Glass I'm so excited about I can't even tell you what it is!
They will have to be real good and look better eventually though. Glasses, unless you have to wear them and tiring for some people. They could also go the way of the Bluetooth earpiece. Too dorky for the functionality, another thing to charge all the time, uncomfortable.... I can't wait to try them though and hopefully it will take off with even better versions.
Alive and well, depending on where you live.
Think 200 would de be massive worldwide ..europe is not wealthy, really. Hardware ti massive europeas buyers at 500
That said - I've taken to having computer-free, phone-free days the past couple of years simply for the joy of remembering what it is like to not be ever-connected. There may be a day you will spend without them... but knowing you? It will be a long, long time coming. ;)
If Google's in the <$300 price point? I expect I'll get in line with the rest. But they will come off for me. I'm still part digital-immigrant.
"It's pretty clear that that (life logging) is exactly where this technology is heading"
Should I dread that? Because, I just don't seem to.
And this device isn't good for that yet, so perhaps we could cross the bridge when we get there.
I agree with +Joe Lancaster. I think we are going to have sticker shock comparable to the Chromebook Pixel. I'm still buying them though.
Interesting too that, just 5 years into the touch-era, we are seeing the first post-touch device that has the potential to go mainstream outside of the living room or car.
Despite its current flaws and dorkiness, it's hard to imagine that, once this looks like any other pair of glasses, it won't be a party of everyday, always connected, life.
Nice review! Can you compare the glass position like the rear view mirror in the car? You know that it's there but only see it when you focus. Other question, does glass have a back light or do you need a light environment to look at glass?
The counter argument is that Google will want to get more out there very quickly, so people won't feel so weird wearing them.
Even so, as much as I hope you're right, I will be very surprised if they sell for less than $500 at first.
I wonder if it changes languages every time you cross a border like all the other fucked up Google products?
It's not an e-ink display. It's a projection system.
Getting the chance to see through it was awesome (thank you +Robert Scoble for that opp!) I want more though. While $1500 is a little steep, I think the return would be ten-fold.
thank you Robert. I only hope that next week in NYC I will be lucky enough to meet someone as enthusiastic and forthcoming as you are when stalking the entrance to Google Offices (in case my official request doesnt get troug :)
How about "wearing comfort" and "View ability" ?
"Privacy issue" will be hard to handle !
And pricing should be around $ 100
Sounds promising but so was Wave. The herd is a finicky bunch and in an era of disposable gadgets, I am interested in the shelf life. Function will be key but I suspect the supporting platforms is still the Achilles heel, as with all tech such. Our hold up is not hardware but software silos. Google, just like Apple and Microsoft is erecting the same walls - even if you choose to ignore the masonry.
Like the directions to places then could audibly read off to them how to get to a restaurant. Or read off an internet search for them.
Eventually there are likely to be mark up detections, and places around that it could read off or set off notifications for the blind.
I can see a lot of applications this could be used for the visually impaired that would be much more convenient that doing the same services through a phone.
The recording and taking photos would be less useful for them, but the camera definitely could have some uses if apps were made to use cues from it.
I can't wait for these to go to market in the UK. I just hope they work with my Scottish accent. Voice recognition hates Scottish accents.
I can't wait for these to go to market in the UK. I just hope they work with my Scottish accent. Voice recognition hates Scottish accents.
I can't wait for these to go to market in the UK. I just hope they work with my Scottish accent. Voice recognition hates Scottish accents.
Emmett think of OpenTable. They will make money in a commerce-based world. I would copy their business model elsewhere. Another one? Über.
My opinion: Google started as a Search Engine and in the last years they changed the bias to be a tech company. Google Search is one of many services in their software product portfolio.
+Project Glass is one of many products in their hardware portfolio.
The big advantage of Google is to connect all this services to an environment...
+Robert Scoble It's great to follow your posts/actions because you are open minded ;)
Dave I never liked Wave and never paid $1,600 out of mupy own pocket for that.
Wave was some kind of collaborative, enterprise thing that was seriously mishandled. Should have been a Google Apps app.
A personal, networked HUD + camera contraption is something nerds have anticipated for more than a decade. When I heard Google was going to take a stab at it (rather than someone like Vuzix), I thought (and I suspect lots of others thought the same) "well, shit, 'bout damn time!"
Concerts in my youth, ear infections, bad allergies -- I could use some audio augmentation as well. :-)
In the exact moment they will be mainstream, they will also be blocked almost everywhere and then made useless. That's my opinion.
I would worry more about a professional stalker with a telephoto and a parabolic microphone.
Understand where I'm going with that?
Cameras are cheap and increasingly you'll be able to put them everywhere. I just don't see that having one strapped to your head is the worst problem.
I want to talk about the big amount of positive things you can do with +Project Glass ;)
1 of many positive things: GG is a big opportunity for disabled people, they can use it to make communication in new ways...
Great review, thanks.
Jerome my taxi driver wants one. So mass market will show up increasingly in 2015 and 2016.
Michael if it is Google is making a huge mistake and will let others into the market, especially the Chinese and Koreans.
As a parent of young kids, I'm often torn between enjoying the moment and capturing it - would love a set just for that. We live away from the grandparents and I suspect my (tech loving) Mum would probably gift us a pair of it meant we could share more of the special moments as the kids grow up. Google+ is already our go to place for sharing the video and time lapse we shot on our Android phones. I'd totally buy them for £500. If anything the only downside I see is the level of attention they would attract, until they become more mainstream (I live in a small town in England, so it'll take a while). Love the enthusiasm, thank you Robert.
I'm having trouble finding the glassholes on flipboard. How do I subscribe?
Hey great review. I am very anxious to try a pair myself. I regret not signing up for them. They would've been awesome for this trip to Australia.
Thanks for this review! Do you let the device pass through the airport xray machine or hand them over for manual inspection?
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Transcribed by Siri so errors are (aka Siri-isms) not my fault but due to the fact that Siri is still in beta several years after launch. #blameitonapple
New parents interested in capturing candids of the the little kiddos to easily share with grandma will, I think, be a ready market for Glass.
No nerds required, in that case.
I would love to see Google to sell them bundled with the latest nexus phone, at a discount, as well as offering them on their own, of course.
I don't understand why they don't require that you have an android device to use these. Does not make sense to me that the Google glass would operate independently at this stage.
In my view, it can only get better (apps, camera, voice, looks) over time, and we have to applaud the way Brin/Page are taking this step by step. Not releasing before it is ready. Brilliant.
Will I wear it all the time? No I wouldn't. But I would wear it when going out for Now and Field Trip and Translate and Search and the camera of course. The decision to ban ads is powerful. Brilliant again.
200 seems low. They do have to make money. So 299 - 349 seems ok to me. 500 is way too much.
I have no idea how people can use those itty bitty screens / 2007 style grid of icons and call it easy to use.
But I bet I'll always have a big tower in my house somewhere -- the mothership computer. Sometimes you want raw power.
Why are you so easy to impress?
As long as Google glass is not a full-on HUD integrated in optical glasses, it's a total waste of time for me.
I am sure that if they would release it in the current state, it would be a flop. No 3D and no RL overlay make it a gimmick instead of a useful product.
Someone told me that Google Glass is a security risk and ban for so many places !
Real AR is 10 years out. I sympathize; I want it also.
Personally, I don't give a shit about looking dorky, but that's definitely an issue for most folks.
I'm missing a more detailed description of usage, one thing is say "ok glass. take a picuture" but what else can it be used for ? Browsing ? How? Is it only voice controled or can it duplicate as a screen from the smartphone ?
To step out of the bubble for a second, there are people out there who are violently opposed to this tech. I encounter them regularly. Don't know what they really think they're going to do to stop it, but that's their plan.
How sensitive was it to YOUR voice? Can someone close to you say "OK Glass, Take a Picture" and it do so? How is that handled?..
I can see that optical image stabilization would be a highly relevant feature improvement.
Whether you should be scared or not is a different issue — I'm just saying that yes, now is the time to have that discussion, even if the current incarnation of the device would need some (minor!) hacks to actually do it.
One thing that might be worth regulating is, like in Japan, mandating a red record light (like Glass already has, yes, which doesn't mean the clones will, not hacked units), and or a non-switchable click noise for still shots.
I think people will initially purchase them for very particular usage scenarios -- we should recall that they are not bolted to your skull. Where they are inappropriate, just take them off. It's simple.
I wonder what the average person will think, not about the great technology, but when they see a complete stranger pointing the thing straight at them. It's not like a camera, it's far more discrete than that and it's that which will make people nervous.
I used maps seriously yesterday, and I was juggling and it was raining, so getting my phone out was a hassle, glass would have been useful, looking good though, $500 is doable I reckon.
Thank you for taking the time to write this - it's really fun to be able to share in the Glass experiment a little bit. I'm more excited than ever to try them after reading this.
For $200 I will buy 3...Google make it happen! It doesn't feel quite 2013 enough unless you have a glass which sits on your nose and tells you stuff! Great work!
Haven't been this excited about a tech gadget in a long time. When will the worldwide shipments begin?
+Jasper Janssen +Christopher Carr I've had the opposite reaction. Instead of avoiding talking to me hundreds of people have COME UP TO ME this week at various conferences and have talked with me. This is the best networking tool an introvert could have!
Of course once everyone else gets theirs this effect won't happen.
As to people who are violently opposed to this tech? Well, first thing I'm going to do if someone starts hassling me is to turn on my camera and start recording them. I will take their picture so that I have proof later that someone destroyed them, stole them, etc. I can upload that very quickly and crushing the glasses won't destroy the evidence. Second, I just haven't encountered anyone like that. Third, I know a bit of martial arts so if someone tries to hit me, I'll probably hit back. Fourth, I usually travel with +Rocky Barbanica who is a great bodyguard. It's illegal to give someone hell in public, even if they are wearing a device that you don't like. I put it up in bathrooms, so it's obvious I'm not recording or anything like that now.
+Stuart Rutherford the microphone is very directional (go listen to the videos on my Google+ account and you'll see that). The microphone makes my voice 4x louder than anyone else's. You can take control if you know how, are lucky, AND are right next to me and yell "OK Glass" and say a command before I turn it off, which I will do if you try that.
+Jeff Wolfers battery life is great. I always get an entire day out of mine. Unless I record a TON of video, or am showing it around, which keeps the projector on. In that case it'll last 1.5 hours of "always on" time. I carry an external battery, and that works great too.
+Dan Mousavi I really don't care if you think I look dorky. I am not a fashion model anyway. Am fat. Am old. So, if you think I'm going to pick up girls with my stunning good looks and that will instantly go away because I'm wearing this device you are absolutely wrong. By the way, I have pictures of dozens of women who have come up to me asking about it. 80% of them think it's very cool and most even say it looks fashionable. So, my data shows you are wrong.
+Dan Mousavi you are so stunningly wrong about AI it is funny. This helps me live my life. It is showing me my flight right now, for instance, and is able to show me stuff like that without finding it in my pocket, which is a real pain in the behind, when I'm dragging two suitcases through an airport. This has a HUGE amount of utility. Excuse me, two new stories from the New York Times just came in.
+Scott Jordan because Android vs. iPhone don't matter anymore. Once you move most of your interaction to your glasses, hasn't Google taken over your life? It sure has! This is going to make billions for Google. By the way, if you use it with Android it has more features (like texting/messaging) than if you use it with iPhone.
Yes, I do take them off when going through airports.
+Jacqueline Nehama yes, the young kids are enamored with this technology. I got my Apple II when I was 13. This is their generation's Apple II and will just get better and better every year of their lives.
+Jerome Hanson The magazine feature on Flipboard only really works on iOS devices. You need to update the app to the latest version and then you can search for my name, or for "Glassholes" and the magazine will appear in the search feature.
+Elmar Schwarzl I spoke to several crowds. Keynoted NextConf in Berlin, and NextWeb in Amsterdam. I spoke to hundreds of press people this week. I also spoke a couple of times to the mainframe programmers and CTOs at CA World. Finally, I spoke to students in Amsterdam. Every single one of them wanted one.
Glass is useful, but there is a problem.
If the Bluetooth earpieces were labelled "douche" when they came out, Glass is definitively ULTRA DOUCHE.
Functionality is cool, but I cant see myself wearing them. Just as I cant see myself wearing a Bluetooth headset, at any public place.
I take your point but at this stage nobody knows what it is. The average person has no idea what that thing you're wearing is.
"I'm in an airport right now. No one cares." Probably because they have no idea. Once they do, their reaction "could" be different. Just sayin. The privacy issue needs to be addressed up front, not swept under the rug.
At home it would be nice to be able to capture those cute moments on video with ease. However I have a 1 year old who loves to snatch glasses, and already snapped an arm on my wife's pair. That was easy enough to fix with solder, but much more difficult if she were rocking Google Glass.
I'll be watching the product penetration with interest and a bit of skepticism.
That reaction is pretty consistent across all of the more than 400 people I've shown it to so far.
I'd really prefer my cab driver not have a heads up display distracting them. There's no way they'd just limit their use to Maps.
Google glass demonstrate definitelly that speed is function.It make people more close to social network.On the other hand,it result in tremendous data that Google benefit from through mining treasures.Why is that google can make so big impact ?or not Apple,Amazon?....
I have a question. Do you have to use voice control? I refuse talking to my tech its feels extremly silly.
Also, it's far safer for them to be looking at a map in their Glass than to look at their navigation screen on a phone or on their car. Far far far far safer. It isn't even close.
Everyone has an accent. It is not possible to speak without one.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TOc-JWHJo2A/UXoZHT1ztvI/AAAAAAABDb8/AYDpudJ-CIU/w704-h481/google-glass-patent-application.png
"It is showing me my flight right now, for instance, and is able to show me stuff like that without finding it in my pocket, which is a real pain in the behind, when I'm dragging two suitcases through an airport."
That actually sounds useful, but how does it actually show your flight? Through which app? If it uses Google Now, it would only work if it is working perfectly, which just isn't the case yet, at least for me. It always assumes the wrong things and there is no way to correct them. When I flew last month it didn't do anything of the fancy things that are only working in America, like flight tracking through e-tickets.
Since I haven't tried one out yet, I can't comment too much on the usefulness of the device, but the API just doesn't do anything for me as far as game design is concerned ( which is the main focus for me). The current glass is just not good for games besides fake AR concepts like Ingress atm. since it doesn't immerse you.
And I doubt it'll be legal to use it while driving or biking, because you would loose focus, so using it for navigation is out of the window.
You say you are reading articles on it, isn't the resolution way too low and looking at the upper right way too uncomfortable to do that?
As such, most of them won't allow data glasses any time soon. It's their job to be conservative. Not to mention camera-forbidden workplaces, of which there are quite a few.
If you aren't WalMart or of similar size why would you roll your own ecommerce platform with all of the tax issues when Google or Amazon will do it for you for a small cut. Glass appears to give people another reason to use Google Wallet and for vendors to sign up with Google.
Is this plausible, or am I being too cynical?
wonderful photography. The camera quality, low light potential, etc. is only going to improve as the tech improves. I'd love to see an app written that allows you to view the viewfinder of your dslr through google glass. Where you could have your dslr actually sitting on a table or at your side or your hip or wherever and see the viewfinder in glass. This would seem like a really simple way to have image quality get very good in the short term while using this tool. It would open up all kinds of interesting new forms of street photography I think.
Jasper sorry I totally disagree. Workers are in control of It now and these have deep collaboration and training use cases. Employers just won't be able to keep them out.
I already have moved to using all of Google's services - android phone, Google TV, Chromebook - and I wear glasses. This is a no brainer for me, especially for anywhere under $300s.
At the end of the article I posted above there are some other cool ideas worth reading, I loved the idea of computer translated subtitles.
Simply cannot wait
Can you remap the vocal commands ? If the same vocal tech was translated correctly to a mobile phone app, would you still want the glasses for something else than taking pictures quickly and attracting the attention of strangers ?
How often would you say you were "distracted" by Glass? By "distracted" I mean, looked up towards it during a conversation.
I'm in contact with +Thomas Hawk to meet him and other guys there in the Bay... it would be awesome if you can join us!! I would love to meet you and speak a bit with you... and, of course, I wanna try your Google Glass!!! :)
When my wife calls. It does not turn on the projector otherwise. It chimes that a new thing is waiting for you. It is up to you to decide when to get distracted.
Answer: "Google could collect a micropayment anytime I complete a transaction like reserving a seat at a restaurant, or getting a book delivered to my house, or, telling something like Bloomingdales "get me these jeans."
Google guys are smart. They'll not do it immediately, but fast enough to protect their first mover advantage and prevent competition to even considering.
Even +Peter Stetson should be around, isn't it dude??? :)
With volume, I think that the 1" 640x360 microdisplay can be made for cheaper or similar price to a 5" 1920x1080 phone screens that are in modern phones, and Glass does not include the modem, Glass needs slower TI OMAP4 SoC (with POP RAM on top of CPU architecture), they can "easily" mass produce a million Google Glasses at sub-$200 Bill of Materials each and sell at $299 retail worldwide. Also, include 5x more battery capacity in some type of add-on battery strip that can connect to the back of each side of the Glasses behind your head.
Robert, we're at a very early stage. Glass is a Developers' Beta product. I'm excited seeing the numerous possibilities. That said, we're at the tip of the iceberg. I've stated many times, for Glass to be used in the mainstream, it needs to be $199. Perhaps a few versions; one as a pro version that is ultra heavy duty (water proof, shock resistant...), the other normal poor mans version. Also, getting developers on board is the other key. Glass could be the new iTunes App Store... peace, Sam
In Hungary it took 4 years to allow Google Street View because of overreactive privacy concerns, I wonder whether wearing Google Glass on the streets will be legal at all.
I highly doubt these will launch for under $399, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them at $799+.
Robert, thanks for sharing. So, GG is really a smart extension of your existing mobile device? If so, that is a great idea. Why repackage all of the power in your phone or tab into a pair of glasses? Also I like +Nicolas Charbonnier's comment about the extended battery in a glasses strap. How 'bout dat for cooling up the ultimate nerd accessory???
Robert, what do think of integrating glass with home automation or video monitoring?
I'm sold at $299 but I'll have to pay $1500 + NYC tax when I pick mine up. :(
I still want a pair, if the price comes down a lot great, if it comes down a little, good, it's new technology and in my profession, a much needed piece of hardware.
Thanks for great post!
MMM I'm signed up for the initial launch via Google IO last year (i'm #1200) but I'm a stand alone person, no corp backing and am having a hard time considering the full $1,500, given the early beta status. Hopefully Google will rethink this. I think the concept is great. Can't wait to try out,, but still,, think the price of entry is excessive... help....
There aren't any OEMs to fall back on here. THEY will have to build a real support structure to keep consumers happy with Glass. With a product that is still pretty bleeding edge, there are a lot of potential pitfalls. If Google doesn't step up and insure that they can head off problems, answer questions, and keep everyday consumers happy (which is NOT easy) Glass could get a bad rap at any price. Google needs to heavily invest in their first impression.
This. right. here... landmark in time.
They might be able to launch a dozen or two stores in time.1-
Great gadget, but I wonder how secure it is. If someone would say via speakers in public place "OK glass, take a picture", would every glass take a photo? Could someone just shout URL and all glass would go to the page? Is there any visible indication Glass is recording video like in webcams, preventing secret recording? It communicates with mobile phone via Bluetooth, right?
No. I was in Europe most of the time and it worked great here. Only US Residents were able to buy the Explorer Edition, though.
Is it cool tech?, absolutely. The problem is this. It is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield if it obstructs your view.Whether or not an individual believes it doesn't distract them is irrelevant. Once there are a few traffic accidents and the party or parties involved are found to have been wearing glass I almost guarantee that it will be illegal to wear them while driving. I have a hard time believing government run establishments such as the DMV, S.S. office etc. allowing anyone to wear these while on their premises. Why? Well how do I know your not taking photos and recording videos for any purpose. Sure you can do the same thing with a cell phone but it's much more noticeable that way. With glass it isn't. How do I know your not super smart and configured these to run without voice commands. It won't be long before some official says, "Nope!" The funny thing is they would probably allow their staff to use them but not the general public, why? well that's just how we are. And of course there is the social aspect. I know with new tech everyone is always "Oooh" and "Ahhhh". But the initial excitement that a new toy brings will wear off and bring about a sense of buyers remorse when they realize they just aren't as practical as the hype makers make them out to be. It's really something you would see in Skymall.
+Marek Bialoglowy no, only Glass that was on the "OK Glass" screen and on would be able to be controlled and, even then, you would need to be within a few feet AND yelling. Oh, and you'd have to know the wearer had it on and was on the OK Glass screen. Mine rarely is. I usually am looking at email or the New York Times when mine are on.
One of the many things so exciting about Glass is the possibilities for exercising and walking around like a human and still being able to do work and research and be entertained, rather than looking down holding something in our hands or sitting at a desk. Imagine being upright again!
I would buy a pair at $500, but would want a more refined frame for Glass. A super durable frame designed by Jony Ive that just fit on my face without being too noticeable. There is more than just tech here, it needs to blend in fashion too.
1. Take a video.
2. Take a picture.
3. Get directions.
4. Send a message (email or text)
5. Google something (search)
6. Make a phone call.
7. Look at Google Now (it shows you contextual information for you. Calendar, Sports Scores, Your Plane and Travel plans, Stock Prices, Weather, and more).
8. Look at inbound photos, videos, notifications, emails, texts, and phone calls.
9. Use third-party apps that will add on functionality.
The battery lasts me all day. You can use external battery packs to either do a quick charge (it takes 20 minutes or so to get one that's totally dead to come on) or to let you do a ton of video (video and things that keep the projector on use a lot of battery -- think about 20% every 10 minutes.
"Bone conduction is one reason why a person's voice sounds different to him/her when it is recorded and played back. Because the skull conducts lower frequencies better than air, people perceive their own voices to be lower and fuller than others do"
(wiki) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_conduction
If both signals match, then it means that wearer made command.
As for your country? The laws might be different. But, look at Epiphany Eyewear or Memoto. They make cameras so small you can't detect them. So, any anti-camera law will soon be totally unenforceable.
Being the first on your block is expensive.
The Xbox developer kits were more than $1,000 and eventually went for $300 at retail.
I will not care one bit if the price is $200. At least if it is eight months from now.
I promise to test it thoroughly - and Google already have here R&D center (in Tel - Aviv).
One of the best reviews I have ever seen, Cheers for that:-)
I think that the success of thi device will depends also in his multilanguage support. If in English I had to say "okay glass.
Take a picture" and not "photo"...what will happens here in Italy, with accents, synonims and so on? It's a problem for example also at this moment with Google now. Okay, Italy is small...but the world is not only "Usa" and "English"... at first for "normal" people.
Is the Glass do the activity when somebody else gives the command? Or is it just reacting at your voice. When a lot of people are using the glasses and give commands, lots of glasses around will also complete the command.
I like that Google will not be selling ad space but working in a commerce framework instead. Like that alot.
You had me, right up till you loaded the New York Times app. I quickly realized you are a vendor of misinformation just like all the rest of indoctrinated media. You chose the "Blue Pill" and you chose incorrectly... Liberals are going to pay a huge price for falling under the influence of the Anti-American anti freedom anti human people that reside in the swamp of the LEFTIST UTOPIANIST.
Ah, yes, there is that capability. :-)
I'd prefer Glass was around $200, but I'm so excited about the product that I'd pay more.
I wonder what Glass would cost if the margins were about the same as the Nexus 7?
To sum up: 1. the camera isn't good in low light. 2. it doesn't have enough utility. 3. it looks dorky. 4. it freaks some people out
1. Mobile phone cameras aren't great in low light either.
2. Not sure how you got that from the review.
3. Who cares.
4. They'll have to get over it.
The tear down? Was on Engadget. Search Google for TI chip 2011.
This + the fact that you never for one second stop to consider anything that could possibly be negative about it tells me you're just a consumerist shill and should be read very very cautiously.
If it is half as useful as you say, a $500 price point won't be a problem. Perhaps not from your review, but once a friend has one and gushes about it and then let's me try it...Bought!
Banning ads on apps isn't a new business model it doesn't ban Google from showing ads. How will the developers make money?
I think Google Glass will be great for our aging population, it can be a fantastic memory aid and allow people to stay at home longer without the need for special care. Larry is 40 and Sergey is 39, every day they have more in common with 60 year-olds than 20-year olds...
I was surrounded by people and the life of every party when I had my iPhone, I remember Robert and his son being in the front of the line at the Apple store in Palo Alto, exciting times. When I pulled it out at the Fillmore Street Fair I was surrounded by women asking to touch it! I can see why Robert is so enthusiastic :) However, nothing much happens when I pull out my iPhone today, people laugh at how small it is mostly. And that's the future of Google's Goggles, people won't be impressed in the least, in fact, they'll ask you not to wear them to their dinner party, or at least, not shoot photos, video or record any audio, and you will take them off or go home hungry.
Also, the inevitable backlash is that people will rediscover good old unadorned reality, marvel at its high definition, crystal clear sound, and the momentary joys of connecting with a friend, a lover in real-time in real space and time. Vanished moments, so rare and so much more valuable than a gazillion digitally rendered/recorded "experiences" -- that are then used to sell you stuff.
"Be Here Now" will make a big comeback.
Google Glass and its ilk won't go away, we live in an "and" future -- it will find its place but that place won't be in the middle of our social relationships, or in restrooms :) .
wonder if google want a rural tester to try them out in the fields... I volunteer... I can film us laying the fibre which is bringing the future closer.
OK, you have done a great job convincing me and I am in that skeptical age group, LOL. Can't wait to try them out.
Tom I never ask permission when taking photos in public unless it is of kids.
Tom I will have several "no wearable" parties too, but that hardly takes away the functionality these have. After all, how often in life are we sitting around smoking dope? Not often.
Don Joe oh, please, I have done dozens of interviews where we consider the negative. Go watch the session I did with Andrew Keen and come back.
Just realized these things could change a lot about demonstrations and police interaction... Think about the occupy Wall st. incidents.
Google Glass just seems like another bit of tech that I won't ever have a use for and will eventually be a overpriced camera or alarm clock (like my last smart phone).
Also I don't want to look like some cyborg from Star Trek.
In other words I simply do not believe you. Every new technology is resisted this way and the resisters are ALWAYS wrong.
I wonder how we are going to control this when multiple users are in the same room all saying "OK Glass, take a picture" and how this would work on accounts where you have multiple users (G+ Pages, for example)
The microphone isn't very sensitive to other people. It is not a problem. Taking control of someone else's glass is actually very difficult.
Eric I can't say, it is under NDA. It is a new one, though. I am sure there will be others.