22
Y
ou may or may not have heard of Google Glass before but it’s the
latest and perhaps the most revolutionary gadget in development
since the IPhone. It isn’t in stores yet since its release date is scheduled for
some time in 2014 but it has sparked a huge amount of “buzz” as sample
devices have been distributed to celebrities, artists, computer programmers
and other select first time users. These users are being called Google Glass
Explorers.
So what exactly is Google Glass?
Google Glass is an example of a branch of computers called wearable
computers which work just how they sound. Rather than having to hold
and type like a smartphone or a tablet or having to sit in front of a screen
like a laptop or a desktop you will be able to wear Google Glass like a
pair of glasses and see its computer screen as if there was a transparent
display in the corner of your vision. Since your hands are free and Glass
as it’s called for short is light and wearable it means you can use its video
recording and interactivity almost anywhere to do things that you’ve
probably never thought possible.
For example: Google’s website pages for Glass show a recording of a
trapeze artist performing while wearing Glass. Another recording is of
someone in a hot air balloon taping the experience and instantly sharing
the video. A third is of someone flying a private plane; the list goes on
and on. Any and all special moments can be shared, even a grandparent
playing with their grandchildren for instance, and it gets better. Other
companies are reportedly also trying to develop wearable computers like
Google Glass. So sooner or later devices like Glass are likely to become
commonplace.
There are already GPS navigation services that will send you instructions
and images showing you how to get to your destination, translation
services that allow you to ask how to say something in another language
and even informative services that can tell you interesting facts. Instead of
a keyboard and a mouse Glass accepts instruction via voice, by touching
GOOGLE GLASS
or brushing the temples of the
“glasses” of the part nearest your
temple, and by an on off button
amongst other things.
Glass itself can’t make or receive
cell phone calls on its own at the
moment but it has the capability
to work wirelessly in conjunction
with a cell phone to make and
receive calls. Google Glass is not
yet available to the public as we’ve
said but the Glass Explorers who
were able to obtain it paid $1500
US. However there has been
speculation that the final retail price
could range from as little as $300
US to as much as $800 US.
Other companies are reportedly
also trying to develop wearable
computers like Google Glass, so
whether or not Glass is itself a hit,
sooner or later devices like it are
likely to become commonplace.
Fitzgerald Scott MBA
IT Professional
Contact: 772-8995
Fitzgerald Scott, MBA
