What’s Up with Google Glass?

Every once in a while, a radical piece of technology is introduced to the market that has the potential to change everything. Over the last half century alone, digital music, cell phones, GPS technology, PCs, and much more hit the market and changed the way technology is incorporated into our daily lives and workplaces. Is Google Glass the next revolutionary gadget?

What is Google Glass?
Put simply, Google Glass is an interactive computer that is mounted to a titanium frame designed to fit a user's face just like a pair of glasses. The device projects a constant stream of information to an opaque piece of glass that sits in the peripheral view of the user, and is capable of many CPU functions. Imagine being able to mount your smartphone on your face, and have it verbally respond to your every command. It's every business owner's dream come true!

What's So Awesome about It?
Google Glass is capable of many tasks. The device is equipped with voice recognition capabilities, allowing a user to simply talk to the device to get the information they need. The device displays a constant stream of time, date, and other typical information until you speak the phrase "ok glass" which enables its many functions, including:

• Onboard 5-megapixel camera to take a picture at the Justin Bieber concert tonight.
• 720p video recording capabilities to capture grandpa's catching that lunker, and even host a live video conference through Google Hangouts.
• Google Maps integration, to give you live directions to the awesome cupcake shop in town.
• Send a message to mom about how awesome her peanut butter cookies were last night.
• Google search about Nicholas Cage at any given moment.
• Translate "where is your bathroom" into Turkish.

All of this can be activated by your voice, but Google Glass is also equipped with a couple physical buttons, including a power button, and a touch sensor that allows you to swipe through search results and more.

What Are Some Detrimental Characteristics?
There are a few reasons why tech lovers are not raving about Google Glass.

• The design looks primitive and unnatural. In other words, a Google Glass user has no chance of blending in with a crowd without getting stared at.
• There are some privacy concerns. A person in conversation, or simply in view of a Google Glass user would have no idea that they were being photographed or recorded due to a lack of indicator light.
• The device requires Bluetooth connection with your smartphone to operate outside of Wi-Fi connectivity. This could drastically increase your phone bill by using lots of data.
• The battery life is supposedly lacking, with a full charge only holding enough juice for 2-5 hours of operation.
• The voice activation does not exclusively respond to one user's voice. This means that a person across the room could shout, "ok glass, how do I get to Taiwan?!" to overload your device.

How Do I Get One?
The first generation of Google Glass was released in extremely limited quantities for only one week in February 2013. In order to acquire one, the owners had to send an application to Google via Google+ or Twitter. Once approved, the owners had to attend a release event in New York City, San Francisco, or Los Angeles to purchase the device for just $1,500!

There is word from Google about more devices being released to the public in 2014, but it looks like another contest to get one will be happening soon. You can sign up to be notified about it here. There is hope that Google will improve the device from the setbacks described above, based on the feedback given from current owners. All in all, 2014 will be an exciting year for technology!

Google Glass carries the potential to be a revolutionary piece of technology, especially for business owners. Time lost on fooling with handheld devices will virtually be gone with, allowing for an increase in productivity in your work day. Be sure to keep an eye out for future developments and availability of Google Glass. What do you think about the device? What activities would you use it for? Share your thoughts in the comments.