Jonathan Ive will design a nice version, Apple will own the market, and google will aghast "but... we were first...".
Google glasses look cool as an object - it's just that they look bad when worn. For a start, make them symmetrical (even if the "other" projector is fake).
For me, it's not the asymmetry of the projector but the massive back-end. You can tell even Google knows this is unattractive because their model is wearing a hoodie to cover it up.
While I respect the attempt to make a standalone device, I think Google would be better off introducing this as a lower-cost peripheral for those who already have android smartphones. I think this would get them market penetration and slim down the design (but that's just speculation).
Also, it's probably safe to say that early adopters would already have a smartphone, and if they don't it could be a game changer to get people on Android.
I'm actually kinda amazed they've managed to make it that small - OTOH, I see the key point of the project is a way to make hardware smaller yet still be usable (because we don't need a large screen).
It's really hard to tell from those photos because they don't provide a great reference. The best I saw was the "strong and light" photo, so I'm going to go ahead and say it's about the same size as my thumb.
That's pretty small, but I'm not sure its small enough to have an iPod-like takeoff (yet!).
Looking at most devices people have used on their head & the capabilities of this?! I can't complain even one bit.
The metal line is reminiscent of a head brace, while the projector makes you look like cyborg escaped from a Halloween party. They will need a stunning amount of marketing and advertising for this to become socially acceptable.
I guess it could be a little bit worse, I can see they were trying to go for sleek...
I think the greater problem was that the actual uses they showed were so uninspiring. They should get more creative. The utilities arise from where (a) where we have difficulty giving meaning to something in our visual horizon, or (b) we wish to use a handicap (this normally requires hands and is better if hidden.)
Imagine going to a band's gig and you don't need to worry about only knowing the verses to some of the songs because you can see the lyrics? Hopefully the microphone could tell you if you're singing off-key...
Imagine busking with the lyrics, chords and notes for the song appearing in front of you as you play. No need to memorise everything.
Imagine walking up to an acquaintance and seeing their name next to their face; or walking into a pub and a bubble appearing when you see somebody telling you that they are the family member or friend of a close friend.
Or speaking to somebody and the software recognising their emotional cues for you. Pupils dilating, nostrils flaring, a fake smile, self-comforting, etc. Maybe you say something and a bar alerts you immediately to signs you have said the wrong thing; or a change in the tone of their voice signifying seriousness or interest.
It's hard to care about the time or temperature. And car's already have GPS...
Like your ideas though, hopefully third party devs can make them a reality (I'm guessing battery is the issue on the persistant video recognition stuff). Seriously upbeat about this, it could change lives
Would the glasses fit if someone was wearing a motorbike helmet?
I always imagined a world where some device would do the auto ID. Guess we're now living in the future. :)
Not necessarily, the popularity of hipster glasses is a perfect example of something ugly and awkward becoming hip. It's very possible for these to ride the coattails of geek chic and become widely accepted.
That doesn't mean it will be easy, there's a fine line between geeky (hipster glasses) and dorky (bluetooth headsets, Segways). And of course, price will have a lot to do with it, a $700 fashion statement serves a very different niche than a $70 one.
Well, according to the already existing marketing, if I buy one of these things, I'll have a happy family, dance with a classy, beautiful woman, have fun at New Year's, travel to Sedona, ride a snowboard, see the Brooklyn Bridge, shop for veggies in Chinatown, and travel some more.
You know what's interesting to me is that none of the faces staring back at "you" in the marketing are wearing Geordi La Forge glasses. If they were, would these "friends" seem as interested?
As another commenter mentioned -- police, yes. Good use case. Firefighters as well. (I assume the military already have similar gadgets.)
But the general public? I don't think so. Too creepy.
Come on, people with these things http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detai... on their ear look cool, busy and important ;)
"Is this guy recording me?"
I assume you're talking about things which give you a social edge. Unfortunately you will just have to deal with it as reality slowly attunes itself with science fiction.
That's how I'm "just going to deal with it".
"It celebrated its debut in July 1979 for about $200. Truthfully, many were skeptical if this portable audio thing would take off. "
https://blog.sony.com/2010/08/flashback-friday-tps-l2-walkma...
To be honest headphones are still seen as an utilitarian thing only.
FTFY. There are a _lot_ of people who would disagree with you (which is why Beats/Skullcandy/etc headphones are so popular).
When I first heard of Glass, I was worried people who jumped on board would look like Geordi. This feels, to me, like a good starting point. It's a little sci-fi, but that's okay. That aspect can be toned down by adding glass in front of the projector, making the glasses look more like, well, glasses.
Fashion now != Fashion later.
http://www.medquarterly.co.uk/mq88V1/images/stories/futurama...
It actually doesn't look as bad with the sunglasses/shades clip in. No more so than the bluetooth Oakley sunglasses at least.
https://plus.google.com/111626127367496192147/posts/N95x6MCS...
And if the "screen" was at the height of your eyebrows it would be completely unusable!
(can't upvote)
Get a couple of trend-setters to sport these and your perception of how it looks will change.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/12/10/why-valves-s...
Edit: ah nevermind, on the how do i get page. still, not a very highlighted part of the product.
As much as I'd prefer things to look as nice as possible, the truth is that the market often doesn't care. I suspect people would allow Glass to slide, largely due to its futurist connotations, the same way they let many electric cars slide.
They're not mass-producing them yet - the visuals can be defined much later than the actual tech.
Of course, I also imagine the Glass design team tested those options, and decided to go with the current iteration for a reason.
I don't even have any piercings but it would be pretty awesome.
... in the larvae stage.
I think Google should look at designer glasses and outsource the design to someone who knows what they are doing.