Google Glass: the Technology Breakthrough of 2013?

Technological innovation is continual and this is most evident when we examine Google’s new and revolutionary glasses. Back in 2012 when the rumours that the search engine giant was in fact in process of producing augmented reality goggles, it seemed unreal. Fast forward to 2013 and we are now able to give you the lowdown on Google Glass and why it is attracting so much attention worldwide. So here’s a quick look at what we can expect from Google glasses as well as the basic evaluation of the positive and negative implications of viewing the world through these futuristic glasses.

What is it?

This innovative system is essentially a pair of spectacle frames, with functions of a camera, touchpad, display and microphone incorporated in them, and can be worn facially. With the help of Google Glass, data can be freed from your computer or mobile device and displayed before your eyes allowing you to photograph, film and search online when out and about. Google Glass uses display technology and a prism screen to place data before you without impeding your vision, and allowing you to record the world around you with ease as well as interpret your chosen commands.

What does it do?

This technological headset is capable of a whole host of exciting features including video conferencing, enabling you to show your friends what you are looking at precisely at the moment of your conversation, the use of Google maps to get directions, the ability to directly translate spoken languages onto the display. There are as well a large number of exciting apps that are currently being developed in order to go hand in hand with this new technology.

How much will it cost?

The developer version currently being known as the Google Glass Explorer sells for about 1,500 dollars, however the consumer version due to hit the market later this years is expected to be much less expensive.

Google Glass specifications:

Google’s latest innovation offers a mooted 640 by 360 display, a built-in 5MP snapper camera with a 720p zoom, 24 hour battery life, 16 GB of built-in flash memory, Bluetooth and WiFi. The Google Glass frame will also come with adjustable nose-pads and there will be a touchpad to be worn on one arm. The dev versions will include a Micro USB cable and a charger and will come in five vivid colours. When it comes to the style, rumour has it that Google is at the moment in discussion with some of the biggest eyewear manufacturers and distributors to improve this aspect of their new product. A good way to stay up to date about the possible outcome of such rumours is to keep a close eye on the twitter feeds of the likes of Luxottica and Ray-Ban.

Negative aspects:

As with all new innovations there remains the potential for misuse. A number of establishments have already banned the use of Google Glass for copyright reasons. Many are also concerned about the possibility of conversations being logged and transcribed with the help of Google Glass. Therefore, it is likely that more and more different establishments will ban the use of these glasses as questions surrounding privacy and copyrights arise.

It is evident that Google Glass will provide the world with innovative and revolutionary technology. What remains to be seen in the future is to what degree we will be able to use these goggles to enhance our everyday life.