News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these two images. Parent comment

Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by planetguy on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @07:00PM (#4045327)
Nope, as far as I'm concerned they're still gonna be dorky. Wearing electronics on your face is irredeemably dorky, and I don't see any way around that.

Electronics in your pocket: cool

Electronics in your hand: cool

Electronics hanging out of your ears: cool

Electronics on your head, face, or built into your clothing: irredeemably uncool.

I can't explain why in words, all I can tell you is that the world sees these things differently. If you don't understand why computer-enabled glasses are unavoidably dorky then I can't explain it to you, but I'm pretty sure it's the case.

edit: That's not to say they won't sell well, to certain people. I envisage engineers on building sites walking around with 'em, or travelling salesmen, or police officers, or... I dunno, there's gotta be lots of good use cases for these sorts of things. But the very utility of 'em makes 'em desperately uncool, like Bluetooth earpieces.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by herval on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @08:13PM (#4045584)
Smartphones used to be dorky (less than a decade ago!). So did computers and even wrist watches. I'm pretty sure "electronic eyewear" (which ARE dorky now - see oakley's nerd product, the Thump) will follow suit. Dorky, then widespread, then sexy and desirable.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by outworlder on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @08:16PM (#4045596)
Uh.

I might be getting old, but I remember a time where electronics ANYWHERE in your person were incredibly uncool.

They were called "wereables" from a reason.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by manpreets7 on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @08:42PM (#4045690)
A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts. Many still do. Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace. I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by r0s on Thursday May 31, 2012 @02:02AM (#4046624)
I really don't see as much earpiece fashion anymore. To me it always screamed "extra device" which is the opposite of luxury or convenience. Or maybe I'm just blind to a common trend now.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by planetguy on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @08:51PM (#4045727)
A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts

Isn't "pens in the front pocket" a defining characteristic of a 1950s-era nerd?

Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace

Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags.

I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways.

Oh sure, I'm just arguing that it'll never be cool.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by jerf on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @09:30PM (#4045836)
"Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags."

Yeah... next time you're walking through a crowded place, look at people's ears more closely.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:The futures of Facebook and Google are embedded in these ... by majormajor on Wednesday May 30, 2012 @10:05PM (#4045934)
If it works well enough, of course it will be cool. Once everyone has one to get shit done with, "cool" will be one of the biggest differentiators to determine which one to get.

If it doesn't work well enough, then it will be the new Newton—and even then, here we are 20 years later, and tablets are cool.

[ Parent | on HN ]