Test Driving the New Google Glasses

Test Driving the New Google Glasses

Article: The Wall Street Journal

Published: September 11, 2012

Article Written by: Spencer E. Ante

Summary:

Actress Sarah Jessica tries on Google Glasses by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg

Spencer E. Ante had a chance to tries Google Glasses with co-founder Sergey Brin at the companies office in New York City. This device only weighing a few pounds has a small camera, a batter pocket on the side of the glasses includes "Heads up display" which projects data onto a small screen loacated on the users right eye. These glasses can perform almost anything as a smart phone can. You are able to take pictures, record videos, use google maps, send text messages and make phone calls all by voice commands! When only seeing that the glasses have only one lense, Spencer realized Googles long term goals. Even though the device fit well, snapping pictures was very smooth, there was still lots of improvement that had to be made. With only one lense attached to the glasses, wearing the them felt a little disorienting because Spencer always had to close one eye. Mr. Brins favorite feature was the timelapse capability which lets him take photos every ten seconds. Mr. Brins explains that he never had the need to take out his smartphone, it was very distruptive to his time. He also says that one of their objective is rid of the world always looking down at their smartphone, instead carrying on with their lives/work and yet still be able to connect with their digital device.Although the Google glasses have alot to offer, the software was still unfinished, because of this alot of the stunning features of the glasses weren't working. For example, responding to text messages were still not entirely functioning. Google announces that they will begin to sell this product to the public early next year for $1,500. They are very keen on perfecting the glasses, they have also hired reasearchers that worked for Steve Mann to develop the glass technology. Spencer recommends that Google will make this project open like Android so that sofware developers will play around with the device and add in their own input which the reasearchers have never dreamed of.

Opinion:

I think that this is an oustanding device that will have enormous impact in our lives. The idea is suprisingly marvelous but are people willing to buy this product for $1,500? I cannot determine what will happen in the future, but as amazing as this sounds personally I do not think its worth the money or using this product. I think that it is always nice to not be connected to the digital world. I imagine this device as your smartphone always being sticked to your ear, I personally definetly would not enjoy that espicially not for $1,500. Some people at work cannot wait to go home to spend time with their family and to be away from their work. If I would purchase this product I would pay around $200 - $350. That would be a reasonable price but is it realy worth it? The new Iphone 5 is available for $199.99 with a three year plan. As Spencer indicated that it was also uncomfortable with only having one lense, and I wouldnt want to be talking to my mom and seeing emails from work or text messages on the top right corner while talking to someone. In conclusion this technology is astonishing, but if they want people to desperately get their hands on the product than they will have to cut down the price and change the look of the glasses.