Google Glass and the MIT Sixth Sense project are the newest forms of wearable technology. It is similar to wearing a computer. They are both considered to be disruptive technologies. For this blog post, I am going to concentrate on Google Glass. I love the idea of Google Glass. I was one of the people who applied to get a pair. This was a must have for geeks everywhere. As we have seen since its inception, it has caused a disruption occurred in the market. Bilton (2015) explained that “From its unveiling in 2012, it was considered the Gadget, yearned after by everyone from nerds and chief executives to chefs and fashionistas. It was the must-have toy that was going to set the gold standard for a new class of wearable computers.” (Bilton, 2015 p.1) It was the truth everyone, and anyone wanted a pair of Google Glass. They became such a disruptive force. A disruption occurs when, “new technology with the same functionality of existing technology, but it functions more efficiently, and then obsoletes that technology.” (Laureate Education, 2014a).
There are many social benefits from Google Glass, but society has not yet reached a point where they have realized it. Once they re-launch and become as popular as a smartphone, no one will worry about how they look when wearing them. This wearable technology will keep you connected to the world around you, as well as the virtual world. Google Glass replaces so many current technologies. With Google Glass, there is no need for tablets, mobile phones, computers and so many other devices that we use today. It can replace all of them. If I were able to make calls, send text messages and browse the web all from a pair of glasses that I wear, I would have no need for a phone or tablet anymore. There is another social issue that will come with Google Glass. Hurst ( 2013) said, “The most significant Google Glass experience is not the user experience – it’s the experience of everyone else” (Hurst 2013 p.1). This is very true. For anyone who will be using Google Glass, especially while it is first coming out will be met with backlash. I had seen videos of the early adopters who got their hands on Glass before it was shut down shunned. Now, I feel this will change again when society realizes that this is a need much like a smartphone, but it is also something that should be considered. People who are not wearing Glass may not be too happy having a conversation or being around anyone who is. This happens with new technologies, but it is something to think about when going over the social benefits.
I believe that Google Glass is still an emerging technology and is not quite ready to be replaced. We are just starting to see a wave of Virtual Reality headsets come onto the market, but there are not many other companies openly experimenting with Augmentative Reality devices. The only other one I can think of that is similar to Google Glass is the Microsoft HoloLens (which is only currently available to developers). One of the reasons I feel it is not ready to be replaced is due to the fact the project was shut down after early adopters were able to use Google Glass. It has such bad reviews because it was not ready to be released. Bilton said, “Several people with knowledge of Mr. Fadell’s plans for Glass said he was going to redesign the product from scratch and would not release it until it was complete.” (Bilton, 2015 p.1) I think once a new version of Google Glass is released and people are using it then replacing it is wide open. As Dr. Thornburg states, “New technologies are always susceptible to unanticipated “wild card” disruptive technologies.” (Laureate Education, 2014a). It is entirely accurate. Once this technology emerges, we have no idea what might be in store for the future. This product will also always have updates until it is completely replaced by the next disruptive technology. I don’t feel that Google Glass will be going anywhere quickly once it is rereleased but there will be many improvements made over the course of its life.
Reference
Bilton, N. (2015, February 4). Why Google Glass Broke – The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/style/why-google-glass-broke.html?_r=0
Hurst, M. (2013) The Google Glass feature no one is talking about. Retrieved from http://creativegood.com/blog/the-google-glass-feature-no-one-is-talking-about/
Laureate Education (Producer). (2014a). David Thornburg: Disruptive technologies [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
