For those not up to date on the latest offerings from the tech industry, Google Glass may be the coolest thing you've never heard of. Originally slated for debut into the market in 2014, Google glass is now scheduled to debut later this year and techies from all over the world are already buzzing about its potential.
Google Glass is, in simplistic terms, a computer for your face. It's mounted on stylish, colorized eyeglass frames and offers a wide array of possibilities for those who wish to stay connected at all times. It was also recently announced that Google would be offering the option of substituting prescription lens and frames, thus allowing everyone to get in on the action.
Now you may be wondering, just what can a computer do that's small enough to fit on my glasses? The answer is, more than you would expect. It's bread and butter is its hands-free control, with the display being no bigger than your eye. Everything is done via an advanced voice control system that is liable to leave Apple's Siri in the dust.
To activate the device one simply has to say "OK glass" to get a range of options, including taking pictures and videos, sending messages, getting directions, and even "hanging out" (a la Google+'s hangout feature). Everything is displayed in a tiny little prism that hangs slightly above the eye but is still capable of displaying a sizable amount of information.
Perhaps what is most interest about Project Glass is the range of different questions that it spawns. What kind of apps will be made to satiate the hunger for Glass-specific programs? How quickly will such advanced technology be made affordable? Once everyone is able to get one, how will people react when everyone walking down the street is a potential incognito cameraman?
As for the first question, time will tell, but currently there are some exciting rumors of, among others, an app that will be able to pick your friends out of a crowd. At first the Google Glass will be pretty hard to get (Google can't even guarantee any orders at this point, making it invite-only), but as with all technology, within a few years it should be fairly affordable. As for how everyone will act once it is established, well, that will certainly represent an interesting shift in the complexities of public life.
What will come of Google Glass is anybody's guess, but the smart money is on google debuting a product that will seem futuristic at first, only to become commonplace once the price tag lines up with people's desire. Just be careful not to steal another person's Google Glass, chances are that soon you will be watched whether you like it or not.
