What You Should Know About Google Glass

Every few years, an invention that carries the potential to shake things up enters the market. Over the past fifty years alone, cell phones, digital music, personal computers, GPS technology, and more has changed the way our culture works, prioritizes, and interacts. Is Google Glass the next game-changer?

The Coolest Four Eyes in Town
Wearing glasses just got more awesome. Google Glass is, in essence, an interactive CPU mounted to a titanium frame that is worn by the user just like a pair of glasses. The device is capable of many CPU functions and projects a constant feed of peripheral information to a piece of glass that is mounted on the wearable frame. The device also performs its tasks by verbal command, making it extremely intuitive and user friendly. With Google Glass, you can be the coolest four eyes in town!
What Does it Do?
Simply speaking the phrase "ok glass" will trigger the device's vocal response technology and allow you access to its many functions:

• 5-megapixel camera
• 720p video recording
• Google Hangouts conference calling
• Google Maps integration
• SMS messaging
• Web surfing
• Instant language translation

While these features are activated by the user's voice, the device is also rigged with a couple physical buttons, including an on/off switch, and a touch sensor that allows users to swipe through search results, photos, Email, and more. Google's promotional video for Glass samples some of it's many possible applications.

What Are its Flaws?
As with any technology in the early stages, there are a few shortcomings of Google Glass.

• It looks weird - There's nothing fashionable about wearing this device.
• Privacy concerns - The device lacks any indication that a person is being photographed or recorded, meaning that anybody could be subject without their approval.
• Possible cell phone bill increase - Moving outside of Wi-Fi range will require Google Glass to connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and use lots of data from your servicer.
• Poor battery life - The device only operates for 2-5 hours on a full charge.
• Not exclusive - The voice activation feature (one of the device's main features) will respond to any voice that speaks "ok glass" in range. This means that anybody who says the phrase will be able to activate your device, not just you.
• Not friendly with other glasses - The technology leaves no room for prescription glasses on the user's face.

Coming Soon!
Google Glass is currently unavailable for purchase. Google promises that more devices will be released in 2014. However, Google did drop a limited supply of the devices during one week of February 2013. Current Glass owners had to apply to Google, be approved, and attend a special release event to purchase the device for a small amount of $1500. These current users are giving Google heads up about any of the setbacks described above, and more, in order to improve the product for its public market release next year.

Google Glass could be the "next big thing", especially for business owners. Imagine having a personal assistant booking your appointments, reminding you to take your vitamins, giving you directions, and responding to your every command. The device carries the potential to revolutionize your every-day tasks and make your life a little bit easier. Be sure to look out for future developments and availability of Google Glass. What are your thoughts about the device? Is it worth the investment? Share your thoughts in the comments.