Google Glasses: Hands-Free Connectivity
Business Technology | May 30, 2012
We have moved into the age of on the go computing. But Google wants to take it a step further. You might have heard about their Project Glass initiative, which many people call Google glasses. These look like futuristic sci-fi glasses, and take being constantly connected to the next level.
A Computer Above Your Eyes
The famed Google augmented reality glasses allow users to read email messages, access online maps, take pictures, record video, and video chat with friends and family members – all without having to use their hands.
A Stream of Useful Information
Google glasses are made to work with voice commands. If you’re using the glasses, you can call for your city’s public transit schedule. Your Google glasses would then call up your local bus or train schedule. Or perhaps you are searching for the new French restaurant in town. You can tell your Google glasses to find it, and when you do, the glasses will provide you with a map and detailed directions.
This video, produced by Google, shows what this may look like. The video highlights one intriguing feature about Google Glasses, if something hinders your plans you can change gears without having to be too put out. For instance, the man in the video attempts to take the subway and his glasses notify him that the subway has been suspended; they then map out walking directions for him. It’s like having a personal assistant that is one step ahead of you.
An Unobtrusive Technology?
One of the potential problems that has been brought up about Project Glass is that the information may become a burden. Google has said that only information users need will be shown, and this could be more helpful than a hindrance. For example, wouldn’t it be great to just say, “take a picture” and your glasses execute the command without you fumbling for your camera?
Another worry many people have is that Project Glass could be used as an advertising platform; pulling up ads for companies that are related to the one you are physically in. You can search on YouTube for Project Glass parodies and see some fairly humorous ones. But whatever you think the future of Project Glass is, this technology has opened a world of possibilities.
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We have moved into the age of on the go computing. But Google wants to take it a step further. You might have heard about their Project Glass initiative, which many people call Google glasses. These look like futuristic sci-fi glasses, and take being constantly connected to the next level.
A Computer Above Your Eyes
The famed Google augmented reality glasses allow users to read email messages, access online maps, take pictures, record video, and video chat with friends and family members – all without having to use their hands.
A Stream of Useful Information
Google glasses are made to work with voice commands. If you’re using the glasses, you can call for your city’s public transit schedule. Your Google glasses would then call up your local bus or train schedule. Or perhaps you are searching for the new French restaurant in town. You can tell your Google glasses to find it, and when you do, the glasses will provide you with a map and detailed directions.
This video, produced by Google, shows what this may look like. The video highlights one intriguing feature about Google Glasses, if something hinders your plans you can change gears without having to be too put out. For instance, the man in the video attempts to take the subway and his glasses notify him that the subway has been suspended; they then map out walking directions for him. It’s like having a personal assistant that is one step ahead of you.
An Unobtrusive Technology?
One of the potential problems that has been brought up about Project Glass is that the information may become a burden. Google has said that only information users need will be shown, and this could be more helpful than a hindrance. For example, wouldn’t it be great to just say, “take a picture” and your glasses execute the command without you fumbling for your camera?
Another worry many people have is that Project Glass could be used as an advertising platform; pulling up ads for companies that are related to the one you are physically in. You can search on YouTube for Project Glass parodies and see some fairly humorous ones. But whatever you think the future of Project Glass is, this technology has opened a world of possibilities.
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