The best-thing-since-sliced-bread ought to be a head accessory right? The latest technology that may revolutionize society is Google Glasses (or Google Glass as the company calls it) – a wearable HUD that can, will – and ought to – resemble a smartphone for your face.
“We think technology should work for you—to be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t,” said Google on their Project Glass page, “We started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment.”
Google Glasses Capabilities
Slated to be available in Google’s initial release next year, only the die-hard fans and tech geeks that paid $1,500 on preorder will get to wear the Google Glass.
“The glasses were ultimately disappointing because the software isn’t finished,” said WSJ tech-writer Spencer Ante, “Much of the basic functionality that Google is building toward for the first commercial release later next year wasn’t working. And we’re just beginning to grapple with the privacy issues raised by such pervasive technology.”
Google Glasses Apps?
If life is not increasingly feeling like the Borg, then it must just be the happenstance of my generation’s keen obligation to reference Star Trek as often as possible. Posterity aside, Google’s glass project – like the Google Car – will have an impact on us all – eventually.
The lucky inventors and engineers at Google who are behind Project Glass seem to feel confident in the future of the technology, with some even hinting that if successful, the company would open the device for app developers and software engineers.
“We definitely like to make things open but right now we are working hard and fast to make something reliable we can get in the hands of users and developers,” said Sergey Brin, Google Glass’ project lead. “I expect lots and lots of people will be using technology like this in years to come,” said Brin in an interview with WSJs Spencer Ante.
5 Future Apps for Google Glasses
In light of that inevitability – that Google’s new glasses could become viable technology – I took it upon myself to throw some free ones out to the developer community. Seeing that Google Glasses will likely run Android, here are 5 Google Glasses App ideas to jump on: – before your competitors! Start now!
1. Sunglasses: While Google’s Glass does not have lenses and actually only one screen, this doesn’t seem to useful. Have you ever wore glasses with one frame? Perhaps an App idea for a two-screen pair of Google Glasses could include some polarizing lenses.
2. Navigation: How could you be anymore hands-free? It is not beyond imagination that the Google Glass design could replace the hand-held GPS market – so lookout TomTom.
3. Rear View Mirror: Perhaps once Google Glass hits the market on a mass-scale, people will never turn their heads again. Why bother with the neck strain? Plus, late-night walks alone could feel a little safer, as a rear-view-mirror app would let you see who is following you without letting them know you are onto them.
4. Digital Glasses: Perhaps through the onboard camera, a future Google Glass could actually allow those poorly-sited to see perfectly. After all, how do you wear Google Glass if you are already as blind-as-a-bat and in need of glasses?
5. Night-Vision: To end the list off with a bang, we chose night-vision – enabling us to all see in the dark. At an MSRP of $1500, this is probably the least a smartphone for your face could offer.