8 ms·

Google Announces Project Glass

272 points by indiefan 14y ago

adziki 14y ago
oh man, someone needs to trademark iGlass NOW
- jsz0 14y ago
  Too late. They do network monitoring solutions. (iglass.net)
  - samrat 14y ago
    iSpecs? Maybe iShades?
    - dhughes 14y ago
      iZ
      - lifthearth 14y ago
        iSee or iC
        dhughes 14y ago
        iLook
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
zinssmeister 14y ago
the video makes this technology look awesome. But I am still skeptical to how well it will actually work.
nkassis 14y ago
This reminds me of "Use the force Luke". I hope people don't start walking around with things like this all the time. I feel like in a 10 years people will walk around talking to themselves all the time and acting quite odd for today's standards ;p (I still find the people talking on handsfree cells phones weird at times.)
- dasmoth 14y ago
  Oh, I'm pretty sure they will, and probably rather less than 10 years. The interesting part will be how well the overlays can be meshed in with the "real" world.
mdwrigh2 14y ago
Previous discussion: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3798171 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3798171
forgotusername 14y ago
Guessing this may be the first technology I'll make fun of my kids for using. The mock-up looks pretty cool is any case.
johnpolacek 14y ago
If you're into this stuff, check out Steve Mann, who's been doing wearable tech since the 80's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFtmrpuwNY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFtmrpuwNY
- wazoox 14y ago
  Don't forget Ted Nelson's Juggernaut :) (first wearable computer, around 1974). PS: For some reason there's very little information about this one on the internet, I probably should check Xanadu instead.
eli_gottlieb 14y ago
This looks ridiculous.
- warmfuzzykitten 14y ago
  In fact, it does not. That's perhaps the best thing about the designs currently shown - they look like something a normal, even attractive human being might wear in public. For the first time, I'm starting to take this project seriously. The key, of course, will be the integration with the environment and the internet. But if the project dies, it will leave a good-looking corpse!
  - watty 14y ago
    For me the key is making them inconspicuous, or at least look like normal glasses. I can't imagine adoption if they're bulky or have logos on them.
    - pragmatic 14y ago
      Unless the logos are from Armani etc. Glasses already have logos on them. Just got a new pair of glasses. Currently there are Nike, Adidas, Harley Davidson and Armani (among many others). But the multi color Google logo...not so much.
  - eli_gottlieb 14y ago
    I meant that the whole notion of a HUD interface built into my glasses looks ridiculous.
  - pragmatic 14y ago
    The geek side of me wants you to be right...but I really don't think women will want to wear this "dork tech". How many women do you see with bluetooth headsets?
    - __float 14y ago
      Plenty? In public there's definitely just as many women as men. Though I don't see too many around here in total :p
ryandvm 14y ago
I dunno, maybe I'm a Luddite but I don't think the tendency to never be disconnected is good for the human psyche. I know that personally my own mental well being tends to suffer if I don't let myself have considerable stretches of time where I'm not consuming any information. Also, though cool, the video is probably a pretty inaccurate representation of what that tech would actually get used for. It shows some guy getting directions, scheduling events, and meeting friends. Nice enough, but the reality is that, like most mobiles, it's probably more likely to be used for Facebook addiction and sending pointless text messages. [I guess the answer is "yes", I'm becoming a Luddite.]
- saulrh 14y ago
  On the flip side, it'll probably be used for constant Wikipedia lookups and trivializing boring organizational work. Computers streamline memorization and scheduling and my agenda and a thousand other things that would normally disrupt my thought processes and interrupt whatever idea I was having. My computer is an extension of myself, and I am a better human for it, because I can spend more time exerting the consciousness that separates me from every other animal on earth.
- nextparadigms 14y ago
  Like it or not, that seems to be the trend. People find it harder and harder to live "off the Internet", especially if they've grown up with it. Take it away from them for a couple of days and they will really miss it. There was even a survey asking people for what sum of money will they quit the Internet forever. I don't remember seeing anyone from the interview saying they would take the deal. They just couldn't imagine themselves never using the Internet again. I guess once you get used to talking with anyone, anywhere in the world, and with so much access to any information you want, anything less seems like isolation.
  - pyre 14y ago
    Our society is moving a lot of things to the Internet. Banishing yourself forever from the Internet means effectively cutting yourself off from that. For example, right now 'no Internet' might not mean 'no TV,' but I could see that being the case in another decade. You can't necessarily say an unwillingness to give up the Internet forever implies that people are addicted to the 'Internet firehose.'
jasonlotito 14y ago
What this will provide for disabled and autistic people is amazing. It's too easy to get caught up in the "social sharing" part of this and forget that something like this can really help change people's lives. Edit: To expand a bit, take an autistic adult that wants to do something, like go to the movies. It's simple for us, we wash up, get dressed, go outside, go down the straight, hope on the 132 Bus for 3 stops, get off, walk 2 blocks, pay for tickets, and go into theater number 5. For someone with autism, they can struggle with things like this. These glasses provide them with visual cues base upon their location, so when they finally do get to the theater, the glasses can show them what to do next, and give them that visual cue. Currently working on an app for tablets for this sort of things, but having it work in glasses would be simply amazing. God, what I wouldn't give to be apart of this.
- jonah 14y ago
  > God, what I wouldn't give to be apart of this. Get in touch with them!
  - jasonlotito 14y ago
    Trust me, I'm working on it! Need to get a hold of this team. I'm working with someone building an app for Autistic and disabled people, and while a phone is great... this is just... she'll be awestruck.
    - doktrin 14y ago
      I second the parent. This is a use case I, to my embarrassment, would not have thought of. Regardless of whether or not the Glass team is as oblivious as I am (they're probably not), your passion and drive in this area means you would certainly add value.
    - jonah 14y ago
      This is an awesome market - many of the enabling devices are clunky and terribly expensive - so to come out with something more accessible is wonderful. also: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/the-ipads-secret-abilities-07062011.html http://www.businessweek.com/technology/the-ipads-secret-abil...
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]
nextstep 14y ago
I know it has been said a thousand times, but Google could really take a cue from Apple on how to launch a new product. The "closed beta" approach generates a good deal of hype, but prevents early adopters from buying or using your product, which is insane! Google is tipping their hand to the competition. It may seem far-fetched that anyone else is working on a wearable computer like this, but I guarantee Google is not alone. If Google is slow to bringing this to market (which wouldn't surprise anyone), then this announcement gives Samsung/Apple/lots of others a chance to catch up in a potentially new market. Ugh. Google, you have so many cool ideas and so little business acumen.
- joezydeco 14y ago
  Also, you're immediately setting up your product for a negative reception. People expect all the cool stuff and tight integration shown in the concept video. If you can't deliver that...
  - furyofantares 14y ago
    Huh, I thought the video was actually really depressing except for two features: taking a picture to send to my friends, and sharing a stream of what I'm looking in a video call. I guess I don't really see the value of putting apps in my eyes. But I do see a ton of value in sharing my eyes and having people share their eyes with me.
    - jrockway 14y ago
      I see the value. For example, I like to monitor my heart rate and speed while running. To do that, I have to move my hand out of ideal running form and look at my watch. With a wearable display, I can continue looking straight ahead to check on my information. Same goes for maps while driving or walking around. I think a wearable computer that seamless integrates with me will be like having a friend that's always around. If you've ever asked someone, "oh, do we turn left here", then you have a use for a computer that can answer the same question.
ashishgandhi 14y ago
A little off-topic. "Articles" like these make me think Google+ has become a blogging platform more and a social network less.
- freehunter 14y ago
  It really is, and it was kind of designed for that. Robert Scoble mentioned that he likes useing Google+ now more than sharing his news on Facebook or a Twitter link to his blog because he gets much more engagement from Google+. It's Blogger meets Wave with a built-in social network to allow for sharing things to other people. Google+ was never meant to be "Facebook... but by Google!" like I sometimes hear people talking about.
dasmoth 14y ago
Videos are fun and all, but I want an SDK! (Seriously, even if it's still pretty crude...)
cwp 14y ago
Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."
- camiller 14y ago
  Or the add for the same book cheaper at Amazon...
- thereallurch 14y ago
  It'll be only a matter of time before it's rooted and running AdBlock. :)
  - jrockway 14y ago
    It's worth noting that Google devices typically do not need to be rooted. For example, Chromebooks have a switch you flip if you want root. (And, Google even advertises AdBlock in the Chrome Web Store. So it's not certain that you will be forced to see ads in Glass.) It's the cell-phone carriers (or OEMs) that want to sell you non-rooted devices, and that's a battle even Apple hasn't won.
    - nkassis 14y ago
      I'm not sure Apple is fighting very hard(or at all) about this. That would make them loose a lot of the control they need for the Appstore etc...
    - nkassis 14y ago
      I'm not sure Apple is fighting very hard(or at all) about this. That would make them loose a lot of the control they need for the Appstore etc...
  - TeMPOraL 14y ago
    With an additional feature of blocking real-life ads on billboards & stuff :). I'd die to get that one.
hcarvalhoalves 14y ago
Great. Now we'll have Google Ads projected into our retinas.
- knieveltech 14y ago
  Personally I'm holding out hope that Google collectively has enough sense not to torpedo this exciting new technology by turning it into a wearable AR billboard system. While I could totally see voluntary opt-in for merchant ad displays while walking around in downtown, I'm pretty sure it would have to be voluntary. I'm optimistic that Google realizes they aren't going to be able to get away with anything more invasive than what's considered "acceptable" behavior for a smartphone. Example: I don't have merchants sending me unsolicited SMS whenever I'm within 200 yards of their storefront.
  - joezydeco 14y ago
    It doesn't need to be an active system. Google could monetize the hell out of it just by showing advertisers how effective their billboards, posters, and audio commercials are in the environment through passive collection.
    - knieveltech 14y ago
      There's an interesting idea, and one I wouldn't object to.
    - jnt8686 14y ago
      smart.
metatronscube 14y ago
This is great an everything, but I think Google really needs to concentrate on many of their half baked solutions they currently have. I am a huge fan of Google, but with their whole social drive recently and this (their take on augmented reality which to be honest just looks like another was of wrapping you into their facebook clone rather than providing any real context aware information) I'm beginning to feel they are really loosing it. I just bought a chromebook (as a lightweight browsing machine) and im massively disappointed because its just such a terribly laggy, glitchy and frustrating experience. Its very quickly becoming a 300 quid paper weight. Google have many brilliant sounding pie in the sky ideas, but when it comes down to it they have to really ask themselves, will people actually be able to use this? Is it really worth chasing after this or will they concentrate their efforts and resources on other more achievable things.
itsmin 14y ago
please say I'm not the only person who thought of the "eyePhone" from Futurama.
pslam 14y ago
"Not in-game footage". Just like the Google tablet mock-up video vs reality. Anyone can craft a mock-up video. Not everyone can execute on it, and in recent years Google isn't doing well on that score.
pragmatic 14y ago
What percentage of the population wears glasses now? If you believe the 150 million (1) number, than less than half the population. How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? What about sun glasses? Will I need two pair of Googgles (2)? One for day, one for night? Do you really think young women (or men) are going to wear these things? My bet is that this project goes no where with Google in its current form. If anyone has a chance, it's Apple. Apple is the only large company with enough style to make something like this cool/socially acceptable. If you can make the Camera etc, invisible, then that's a whole different story. 1) http://www.aao.org/newsroom/press_kit/upload/Eye-Health-Statistics-June-2009.pdf http://www.aao.org/newsroom/press_kit/upload/Eye-Health-Stat... 2) my term
- DanBC 14y ago
  > How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? It's fashionable (on the wane) at the moment. Lots of people are wearing frames with plain glass lenses. > What about sun glasses? Will I need two pair of Googgles (2)? One for day, one for night? The article covers this point - there will be a version that fits on existing glasses. > Do you really think young women (or men) are going to wear these things? Define young, and who cares? People with the money would, if there was a use. Link these to certain professions and I could see people deliberately, just as annoying students wear their lab coats out of the labs.
- dgallagher 14y ago
  How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? Probably the same number of people you can convince to buy and carry a metallic/plastic rectangle in their pockets everywhere. If it offers utility at an affordable price, people will embrace it. My bet is that this project goes no where with Google in its current form. If anyone has a chance, it's Apple. Apple is the only large company with enough style to make something like this cool/socially acceptable. Steve Jobs hired someone from MIT a few years ago who was a leading researcher in wearable computing (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/apple-hires-wearable-computing-engineer/ http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/apple-hires-wearabl...). Apple has likely been working on such a device for some time. It makes sense for Google to work on something too. How far will Google Glass go? Who knows. This is a public unveiling of a research project, rather than something that'll be sold in stores tomorrow (maybe by year-end though). There's probably a lot left to go before you can buy one, at which point it'll be a good time to evaluate it if it's any good or not.
sreyaNotfilc 14y ago
Why didn't the guy just use his glasses to purchase the ukulele book from an online source? Say, Google Play?
- rbanffy 14y ago
  He's not shown paying for it. He could have scanned the ISBN and purchased it automatically (or put it in his wishlist for purchase later)
sown 14y ago
We're living in the future now.
dhughes 14y ago
99% of the technology is having a really good connection either wifi or your phone company's wireless data. I remember when I got a Nexus One and tried showing off the Google Translate app to co-workers; one Japanese, one Portuguese, one Bosnian but it took so long to connect it was embarrassing. I managed to get some Japanese translated after about 10 minutes. Now I have a Samsung Galaxy S 2 (translate still sucks) through my phone company it has HSPA+ (21Mbps) but I have yet to consistently get anything above 3Mbps, I tend to get 1Mbps. Also imagine this in a movie theatre or some place where they claim everything is copyrighted place or even walking towards police in a country where taking video of police could get you arrested. It seems simple enough but holy can of worms Batman!
- ttt_ 14y ago
  Not to mention that Google would be empowered to a live/recorded stream of video of every user. That's a whole other can of worms for ya. Coming up, put a Google chip on your brain and think like Google.
  - Kuiper 14y ago
    Google would be empowered to a live/recorded stream of video of every user. This sounds like the kind of feature that some users would embrace, and could even become a selling point. Remember justin.tv?
  - dhughes 14y ago
    A few years ago Google wanted to record a few seconds of sound from the homes of people using the microphones/speakers on their computers. I'm quite sure it was the computer speaker since not every computer has a microphone but most if not all have speakers and a speaker is really a just a reverse microphone. People freaked out over that so I'd say recording live streams of video would be worse especially considering some things people may be looking at each day would be very private.
hornbaker 14y ago
Googly Eyes(tm)
zalew 14y ago
"one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment." uhmm, am I not in the moment when I walk the streets without popup notifications on my eyes?
waterlesscloud 14y ago
I didn't see any situation in this video where glasses would be superior to what I could do on my phone now.
- repsilat 14y ago
  The big step up is that you don't need to take these glasses out of your pocket every time you want to use them. Phones can't really serve as an "extension of the self" because you don't walk around with them in your hand all the time. Using "always on" eye-devices would allow them to become second nature. Name/face/voice association would be automatic, looking up a word definition would be accessing slow memory instead of an annoying context-switch. A lot of the difference is not in that you can do something with these glasses, it's that you will.
TechNewb 14y ago
Prescription retro style inspired glasses please.
qxcv 14y ago
The entire photo-taking thing is a bit funny - with the price of storage the way it is, there probably isn't much harm in leaving the camera recording by default and have the user turn it off temporarily if they wish. There's no telling how many amazing photos you could take in a single day with technology like that. I guess the flip side of that coin is the massive surveillance potential if these glasses are controlled by a third party like mobile phones are; they're even worse than mobile phones because they spend most of the day on your head rather than in your pocket.
fatjokes 14y ago
This is super cool and all, but it's all fun and games until someone walks in front of a car.
- TheCowboy 14y ago
  I think with these glasses I might be less likely to do that as often as I already do poking at my cellphone while I walk around the city.
Macro 14y ago
This was done long time ago by Pranav Mistry.No? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao&feature=playe...
zigzagzigzag 14y ago
Man! viagra ads on HUD FTW.
septerr 14y ago
And I bought sunglasses today. Dang.
drostie 14y ago
How do you solve the most obvious problems of focus? Is there a really strong lens on the front of this thing? I keep thinking of this problem when I hear about things like heads-up contact lenses and so on. It is a tremendous eyestrain for me to focus on anything within a meter, and so I'm often relaxing my eyes by looking away from my laptop at distant things. Within 10-20 cm or so it is extremely difficult to focus on anything; within 10cm it is actively impossible. So are they really using a lens that can make a 1cm-away display look like it's 100cm away?
edge17 14y ago
where is the hardware? (processing hardware, power supply, and antennas)
naughtysriram 14y ago
This looks like a copy of TEDx Sixth Sense by Pranav Mistry. http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potenti...
option_greek 14y ago
I hope they will do something about people who already wear glasses for various reasons. May be project images on to existing glasses ?
JohnFritzen 14y ago
Ed Grimley endorses this technology. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6pD_FWmYxg/T3xUSvVz8LI/AAAAAAAAABk/qdfLOQRlrXE/s150-c/photo.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6pD_FWmYxg/T3xUSvVz8LI/A...
agentgt 14y ago
Its too bad Microsoft's not doing this. I was rather hoping for Clippy to make a comeback ;) For those that don't know Clippy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Assistant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Assistant
- agentgt 14y ago
  I guess HN people don't like my sense of humor. Oh well..
clipped 14y ago
prediction: by end of 2015 these will be as popular as iPhone and iPad. the future will have arrived : ) woohoo. http://clippedcomic.blogspot.ca/2012/04/google-glasses.html http://clippedcomic.blogspot.ca/2012/04/google-glasses.html

272 points by indiefan 14y ago

adziki 14y ago

oh man, someone needs to trademark iGlass NOW

jsz0 14y ago
Too late. They do network monitoring solutions. (iglass.net)
- samrat 14y ago
  iSpecs? Maybe iShades?
  - dhughes 14y ago
    iZ
    - lifthearth 14y ago
      iSee or iC
      - dhughes 14y ago
        iLook
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]

zinssmeister 14y ago

the video makes this technology look awesome. But I am still skeptical to how well it will actually work.

nkassis 14y ago

This reminds me of "Use the force Luke". I hope people don't start walking around with things like this all the time. I feel like in a 10 years people will walk around talking to themselves all the time and acting quite odd for today's standards ;p (I still find the people talking on handsfree cells phones weird at times.)

dasmoth 14y ago
Oh, I'm pretty sure they will, and probably rather less than 10 years. The interesting part will be how well the overlays can be meshed in with the "real" world.

mdwrigh2 14y ago

Previous discussion: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3798171 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3798171

forgotusername 14y ago

Guessing this may be the first technology I'll make fun of my kids for using. The mock-up looks pretty cool is any case.

johnpolacek 14y ago

If you're into this stuff, check out Steve Mann, who's been doing wearable tech since the 80's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Mann http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFtmrpuwNY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiFtmrpuwNY

wazoox 14y ago
Don't forget Ted Nelson's Juggernaut :) (first wearable computer, around 1974). PS: For some reason there's very little information about this one on the internet, I probably should check Xanadu instead.

eli_gottlieb 14y ago

This looks ridiculous.

warmfuzzykitten 14y ago
In fact, it does not. That's perhaps the best thing about the designs currently shown - they look like something a normal, even attractive human being might wear in public. For the first time, I'm starting to take this project seriously. The key, of course, will be the integration with the environment and the internet. But if the project dies, it will leave a good-looking corpse!
- watty 14y ago
  For me the key is making them inconspicuous, or at least look like normal glasses. I can't imagine adoption if they're bulky or have logos on them.
  - pragmatic 14y ago
    Unless the logos are from Armani etc. Glasses already have logos on them. Just got a new pair of glasses. Currently there are Nike, Adidas, Harley Davidson and Armani (among many others). But the multi color Google logo...not so much.
- eli_gottlieb 14y ago
  I meant that the whole notion of a HUD interface built into my glasses looks ridiculous.
- pragmatic 14y ago
  The geek side of me wants you to be right...but I really don't think women will want to wear this "dork tech". How many women do you see with bluetooth headsets?
  - __float 14y ago
    Plenty? In public there's definitely just as many women as men. Though I don't see too many around here in total :p

ryandvm 14y ago

I dunno, maybe I'm a Luddite but I don't think the tendency to never be disconnected is good for the human psyche. I know that personally my own mental well being tends to suffer if I don't let myself have considerable stretches of time where I'm not consuming any information. Also, though cool, the video is probably a pretty inaccurate representation of what that tech would actually get used for. It shows some guy getting directions, scheduling events, and meeting friends. Nice enough, but the reality is that, like most mobiles, it's probably more likely to be used for Facebook addiction and sending pointless text messages. [I guess the answer is "yes", I'm becoming a Luddite.]

saulrh 14y ago
On the flip side, it'll probably be used for constant Wikipedia lookups and trivializing boring organizational work. Computers streamline memorization and scheduling and my agenda and a thousand other things that would normally disrupt my thought processes and interrupt whatever idea I was having. My computer is an extension of myself, and I am a better human for it, because I can spend more time exerting the consciousness that separates me from every other animal on earth.
nextparadigms 14y ago
Like it or not, that seems to be the trend. People find it harder and harder to live "off the Internet", especially if they've grown up with it. Take it away from them for a couple of days and they will really miss it. There was even a survey asking people for what sum of money will they quit the Internet forever. I don't remember seeing anyone from the interview saying they would take the deal. They just couldn't imagine themselves never using the Internet again. I guess once you get used to talking with anyone, anywhere in the world, and with so much access to any information you want, anything less seems like isolation.
- pyre 14y ago
  Our society is moving a lot of things to the Internet. Banishing yourself forever from the Internet means effectively cutting yourself off from that. For example, right now 'no Internet' might not mean 'no TV,' but I could see that being the case in another decade. You can't necessarily say an unwillingness to give up the Internet forever implies that people are addicted to the 'Internet firehose.'

jasonlotito 14y ago

What this will provide for disabled and autistic people is amazing. It's too easy to get caught up in the "social sharing" part of this and forget that something like this can really help change people's lives. Edit: To expand a bit, take an autistic adult that wants to do something, like go to the movies. It's simple for us, we wash up, get dressed, go outside, go down the straight, hope on the 132 Bus for 3 stops, get off, walk 2 blocks, pay for tickets, and go into theater number 5. For someone with autism, they can struggle with things like this. These glasses provide them with visual cues base upon their location, so when they finally do get to the theater, the glasses can show them what to do next, and give them that visual cue. Currently working on an app for tablets for this sort of things, but having it work in glasses would be simply amazing. God, what I wouldn't give to be apart of this.

jonah 14y ago
> God, what I wouldn't give to be apart of this. Get in touch with them!
- jasonlotito 14y ago
  Trust me, I'm working on it! Need to get a hold of this team. I'm working with someone building an app for Autistic and disabled people, and while a phone is great... this is just... she'll be awestruck.
  - doktrin 14y ago
    I second the parent. This is a use case I, to my embarrassment, would not have thought of. Regardless of whether or not the Glass team is as oblivious as I am (they're probably not), your passion and drive in this area means you would certainly add value.
  - jonah 14y ago
    This is an awesome market - many of the enabling devices are clunky and terribly expensive - so to come out with something more accessible is wonderful. also: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/the-ipads-secret-abilities-07062011.html http://www.businessweek.com/technology/the-ipads-secret-abil...

deleted 14y ago

[deleted]

nextstep 14y ago

I know it has been said a thousand times, but Google could really take a cue from Apple on how to launch a new product. The "closed beta" approach generates a good deal of hype, but prevents early adopters from buying or using your product, which is insane! Google is tipping their hand to the competition. It may seem far-fetched that anyone else is working on a wearable computer like this, but I guarantee Google is not alone. If Google is slow to bringing this to market (which wouldn't surprise anyone), then this announcement gives Samsung/Apple/lots of others a chance to catch up in a potentially new market. Ugh. Google, you have so many cool ideas and so little business acumen.

joezydeco 14y ago
Also, you're immediately setting up your product for a negative reception. People expect all the cool stuff and tight integration shown in the concept video. If you can't deliver that...
- furyofantares 14y ago
  Huh, I thought the video was actually really depressing except for two features: taking a picture to send to my friends, and sharing a stream of what I'm looking in a video call. I guess I don't really see the value of putting apps in my eyes. But I do see a ton of value in sharing my eyes and having people share their eyes with me.
  - jrockway 14y ago
    I see the value. For example, I like to monitor my heart rate and speed while running. To do that, I have to move my hand out of ideal running form and look at my watch. With a wearable display, I can continue looking straight ahead to check on my information. Same goes for maps while driving or walking around. I think a wearable computer that seamless integrates with me will be like having a friend that's always around. If you've ever asked someone, "oh, do we turn left here", then you have a use for a computer that can answer the same question.

ashishgandhi 14y ago

A little off-topic. "Articles" like these make me think Google+ has become a blogging platform more and a social network less.

freehunter 14y ago
It really is, and it was kind of designed for that. Robert Scoble mentioned that he likes useing Google+ now more than sharing his news on Facebook or a Twitter link to his blog because he gets much more engagement from Google+. It's Blogger meets Wave with a built-in social network to allow for sharing things to other people. Google+ was never meant to be "Facebook... but by Google!" like I sometimes hear people talking about.

dasmoth 14y ago

Videos are fun and all, but I want an SDK! (Seriously, even if it's still pretty crude...)

cwp 14y ago

Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."

camiller 14y ago
Or the add for the same book cheaper at Amazon...
thereallurch 14y ago
It'll be only a matter of time before it's rooted and running AdBlock. :)
- jrockway 14y ago
  It's worth noting that Google devices typically do not need to be rooted. For example, Chromebooks have a switch you flip if you want root. (And, Google even advertises AdBlock in the Chrome Web Store. So it's not certain that you will be forced to see ads in Glass.) It's the cell-phone carriers (or OEMs) that want to sell you non-rooted devices, and that's a battle even Apple hasn't won.
  - nkassis 14y ago
    I'm not sure Apple is fighting very hard(or at all) about this. That would make them loose a lot of the control they need for the Appstore etc...
  - nkassis 14y ago
    I'm not sure Apple is fighting very hard(or at all) about this. That would make them loose a lot of the control they need for the Appstore etc...
- TeMPOraL 14y ago
  With an additional feature of blocking real-life ads on billboards & stuff :). I'd die to get that one.

hcarvalhoalves 14y ago

Great. Now we'll have Google Ads projected into our retinas.

knieveltech 14y ago
Personally I'm holding out hope that Google collectively has enough sense not to torpedo this exciting new technology by turning it into a wearable AR billboard system. While I could totally see voluntary opt-in for merchant ad displays while walking around in downtown, I'm pretty sure it would have to be voluntary. I'm optimistic that Google realizes they aren't going to be able to get away with anything more invasive than what's considered "acceptable" behavior for a smartphone. Example: I don't have merchants sending me unsolicited SMS whenever I'm within 200 yards of their storefront.
- joezydeco 14y ago
  It doesn't need to be an active system. Google could monetize the hell out of it just by showing advertisers how effective their billboards, posters, and audio commercials are in the environment through passive collection.
  - knieveltech 14y ago
    There's an interesting idea, and one I wouldn't object to.
  - jnt8686 14y ago
    smart.

metatronscube 14y ago

This is great an everything, but I think Google really needs to concentrate on many of their half baked solutions they currently have. I am a huge fan of Google, but with their whole social drive recently and this (their take on augmented reality which to be honest just looks like another was of wrapping you into their facebook clone rather than providing any real context aware information) I'm beginning to feel they are really loosing it. I just bought a chromebook (as a lightweight browsing machine) and im massively disappointed because its just such a terribly laggy, glitchy and frustrating experience. Its very quickly becoming a 300 quid paper weight. Google have many brilliant sounding pie in the sky ideas, but when it comes down to it they have to really ask themselves, will people actually be able to use this? Is it really worth chasing after this or will they concentrate their efforts and resources on other more achievable things.

itsmin 14y ago

please say I'm not the only person who thought of the "eyePhone" from Futurama.

pslam 14y ago

"Not in-game footage". Just like the Google tablet mock-up video vs reality. Anyone can craft a mock-up video. Not everyone can execute on it, and in recent years Google isn't doing well on that score.

pragmatic 14y ago

What percentage of the population wears glasses now? If you believe the 150 million (1) number, than less than half the population. How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? What about sun glasses? Will I need two pair of Googgles (2)? One for day, one for night? Do you really think young women (or men) are going to wear these things? My bet is that this project goes no where with Google in its current form. If anyone has a chance, it's Apple. Apple is the only large company with enough style to make something like this cool/socially acceptable. If you can make the Camera etc, invisible, then that's a whole different story. 1) http://www.aao.org/newsroom/press_kit/upload/Eye-Health-Statistics-June-2009.pdf http://www.aao.org/newsroom/press_kit/upload/Eye-Health-Stat... 2) my term

DanBC 14y ago
> How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? It's fashionable (on the wane) at the moment. Lots of people are wearing frames with plain glass lenses. > What about sun glasses? Will I need two pair of Googgles (2)? One for day, one for night? The article covers this point - there will be a version that fits on existing glasses. > Do you really think young women (or men) are going to wear these things? Define young, and who cares? People with the money would, if there was a use. Link these to certain professions and I could see people deliberately, just as annoying students wear their lab coats out of the labs.
dgallagher 14y ago
How many people can you convince to wear glasses that do not normally? Probably the same number of people you can convince to buy and carry a metallic/plastic rectangle in their pockets everywhere. If it offers utility at an affordable price, people will embrace it. My bet is that this project goes no where with Google in its current form. If anyone has a chance, it's Apple. Apple is the only large company with enough style to make something like this cool/socially acceptable. Steve Jobs hired someone from MIT a few years ago who was a leading researcher in wearable computing (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/apple-hires-wearable-computing-engineer/ http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/apple-hires-wearabl...). Apple has likely been working on such a device for some time. It makes sense for Google to work on something too. How far will Google Glass go? Who knows. This is a public unveiling of a research project, rather than something that'll be sold in stores tomorrow (maybe by year-end though). There's probably a lot left to go before you can buy one, at which point it'll be a good time to evaluate it if it's any good or not.

sreyaNotfilc 14y ago

Why didn't the guy just use his glasses to purchase the ukulele book from an online source? Say, Google Play?

rbanffy 14y ago
He's not shown paying for it. He could have scanned the ISBN and purchased it automatically (or put it in his wishlist for purchase later)

sown 14y ago

We're living in the future now.

dhughes 14y ago

99% of the technology is having a really good connection either wifi or your phone company's wireless data. I remember when I got a Nexus One and tried showing off the Google Translate app to co-workers; one Japanese, one Portuguese, one Bosnian but it took so long to connect it was embarrassing. I managed to get some Japanese translated after about 10 minutes. Now I have a Samsung Galaxy S 2 (translate still sucks) through my phone company it has HSPA+ (21Mbps) but I have yet to consistently get anything above 3Mbps, I tend to get 1Mbps. Also imagine this in a movie theatre or some place where they claim everything is copyrighted place or even walking towards police in a country where taking video of police could get you arrested. It seems simple enough but holy can of worms Batman!

ttt_ 14y ago
Not to mention that Google would be empowered to a live/recorded stream of video of every user. That's a whole other can of worms for ya. Coming up, put a Google chip on your brain and think like Google.
- Kuiper 14y ago
  Google would be empowered to a live/recorded stream of video of every user. This sounds like the kind of feature that some users would embrace, and could even become a selling point. Remember justin.tv?
- dhughes 14y ago
  A few years ago Google wanted to record a few seconds of sound from the homes of people using the microphones/speakers on their computers. I'm quite sure it was the computer speaker since not every computer has a microphone but most if not all have speakers and a speaker is really a just a reverse microphone. People freaked out over that so I'd say recording live streams of video would be worse especially considering some things people may be looking at each day would be very private.

hornbaker 14y ago

Googly Eyes(tm)

zalew 14y ago

"one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment." uhmm, am I not in the moment when I walk the streets without popup notifications on my eyes?

waterlesscloud 14y ago

I didn't see any situation in this video where glasses would be superior to what I could do on my phone now.

repsilat 14y ago
The big step up is that you don't need to take these glasses out of your pocket every time you want to use them. Phones can't really serve as an "extension of the self" because you don't walk around with them in your hand all the time. Using "always on" eye-devices would allow them to become second nature. Name/face/voice association would be automatic, looking up a word definition would be accessing slow memory instead of an annoying context-switch. A lot of the difference is not in that you can do something with these glasses, it's that you will.

TechNewb 14y ago

Prescription retro style inspired glasses please.

qxcv 14y ago

The entire photo-taking thing is a bit funny - with the price of storage the way it is, there probably isn't much harm in leaving the camera recording by default and have the user turn it off temporarily if they wish. There's no telling how many amazing photos you could take in a single day with technology like that. I guess the flip side of that coin is the massive surveillance potential if these glasses are controlled by a third party like mobile phones are; they're even worse than mobile phones because they spend most of the day on your head rather than in your pocket.

fatjokes 14y ago

This is super cool and all, but it's all fun and games until someone walks in front of a car.

TheCowboy 14y ago
I think with these glasses I might be less likely to do that as often as I already do poking at my cellphone while I walk around the city.

Macro 14y ago

This was done long time ago by Pranav Mistry.No? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ-VjUKAsao&feature=playe...

zigzagzigzag 14y ago

Man! viagra ads on HUD FTW.

septerr 14y ago

And I bought sunglasses today. Dang.

drostie 14y ago

How do you solve the most obvious problems of focus? Is there a really strong lens on the front of this thing? I keep thinking of this problem when I hear about things like heads-up contact lenses and so on. It is a tremendous eyestrain for me to focus on anything within a meter, and so I'm often relaxing my eyes by looking away from my laptop at distant things. Within 10-20 cm or so it is extremely difficult to focus on anything; within 10cm it is actively impossible. So are they really using a lens that can make a 1cm-away display look like it's 100cm away?

edge17 14y ago

where is the hardware? (processing hardware, power supply, and antennas)

naughtysriram 14y ago

This looks like a copy of TEDx Sixth Sense by Pranav Mistry. http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potential_of_sixthsense_technology.html http://www.ted.com/talks/pranav_mistry_the_thrilling_potenti...

option_greek 14y ago

I hope they will do something about people who already wear glasses for various reasons. May be project images on to existing glasses ?

JohnFritzen 14y ago

Ed Grimley endorses this technology. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6pD_FWmYxg/T3xUSvVz8LI/AAAAAAAAABk/qdfLOQRlrXE/s150-c/photo.jpg https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A6pD_FWmYxg/T3xUSvVz8LI/A...

agentgt 14y ago

Its too bad Microsoft's not doing this. I was rather hoping for Clippy to make a comeback ;) For those that don't know Clippy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Assistant http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Assistant

agentgt 14y ago
I guess HN people don't like my sense of humor. Oh well..

clipped 14y ago

prediction: by end of 2015 these will be as popular as iPhone and iPad. the future will have arrived : ) woohoo. http://clippedcomic.blogspot.ca/2012/04/google-glasses.html http://clippedcomic.blogspot.ca/2012/04/google-glasses.html