The Google Glass was created in order to create an augmented reality, which combines the real world with augmentation. Augmented reality can make static objects interactive using a computer-generated image. This reality enriches a user’s perception of reality.
The Google Glass is an optical head-mounted display that looks exactly like eyeglasses. This type of augmented reality eyewear was developed by X and used to portray information just as a smartphone would. However, these glasses are special because it requires no hands. These glasses were used to watch TV, as well as a GPS while driving. The features of the Google glass include a touchpad, allowing the user to slide backwards and upwards through different applications, a camera, allowing the user to take pictures and videos, and a display that allows the user to see clear.
However, the Google Glass did not perform as planned and received many criticisms. One big concern was the privacy reasons. Users are wearing a camera on their face, which can take videos and pictures at all times. This can lead to people getting video tapped who don’t want to be, users videotaping a movie at the cinema, users videotaping at the casino, etc. The Google Glass also did not perform well due to the fact the headset didn’t have a clear function. The two main functions were to take pictures and gather information, which makes it obvious that “obtaining the Google Glass offered no clear benefit to the consumers whatsoever” (Doyle).
Alphabet announced the Google Glass Enterprise Edition will come out in 2017 with better functions. While one big reason the Google Glass did not perform well the first time was due to the glasses not having a clear function for the consumer. The Google Glass Enterprise Edition is not targeted to consumers but rather targeted to companies. “According to a Google Glass website Alphabet has published, a host of prominent companies are using the technology, including General Electric and DHL” (Fortune). This poses a question, will the Google Glass be a big improvement than the original or will it be another failure?
http://fortune.com/2017/07/18/alphabet-google-glass-comeback/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/google-glass-enterprise-streye/
While there are practical uses for Google glass there simply is not a wide spread need for it. This articles claims that Doctors like using it because they can operate and still see the patients vital signs. I feel like the real benefits of Google Glass only helps a very small portion of the market. If I were Google I wouldn’t try to focus my efforts on a niche product. The big selling point is that it immerses you into an Augmented Reality. We learned about AR in class and its where virtual elements are incorporated into the real world. The most successful example of this is Pokemon Go. My main point is that while people enjoy AR they don’t need it in their daily lives and having the ability is pretty much unnecessary for a large part of the population. This is a novelty item because it is way too expensive of an item that does not really add much value into people’s everyday lives. I personally do not think AR will ever really take off in everyday life, which renders this product almost useless. There is a reason this product was discontinued and I believe that it should be discontinued this time around too. Google should cut their losses and just put their resources somewhere else and develop new products and technology.
I think google glass is the fascinated object which represents augmented reality. If people use google glass in their daily lives, their lives would be really comfortable and beneficial. This is because, in these days people always use smartphones putting out from their pockets. Also, if google glass integrates TV and GPS, people don’t have to use buy or use other devices. Putting all electronic devices into one will make people’s lives easier. It is a great technology development because it makes people’s lives easier and faster. By just clicking, they can take pictures and videos. However, their is a main problem about privacy conflict. In public, people can take pictures and videos without their permissions in a secret way. Therefore, Google should consider what advantages and disadvantages about google glass while they develop their google glass.
http://newatlas.com/holli-google-glass-autism-app/51357/
I see two issues with the manner Google marketed the Google Glass. Firstly, VR has to be either fun or increase ones efficiency for the average user to purchase it. Google Glass really did neither. While VR is very much a developing technology, the Oculus Rift is a cheaper and more mainstream option. It is also designed specifically for entertainment. Think of it this way; an iPhone can play netflix but if you need a system to operate netflix, you’d purchase a smart TV or Kindle. Google Glass also doesn’t do many things that the iPhone can’t. Yes it is neat however image and video capture on a smartphone is much more convenient and also cheaper. What Google Glass needs to do in order to obtain a greater share of the VR market is converge upon simple ideas which work in convenient ways. Perhaps enhancing the way we watch TV or workout (with live heart rate, calorie and distance updates). However, until then, the technology is too specific to market.