As you may have heard, Google is expanding its Glass program beyond the initial couple thousand “Explorers” … and, by way of Tim Stevens (the “nicest guy in tech”), I received an invite. As an independent entity on a budget, versus a bankrolled journalist or celebrity, the potential $1500 fee stings. That amount could fund both a PS4 and an Xbone, with room for several accessories and games. Or the last plasma on earth. Or a solid projector. Or 6 crappy Chromebooks.
Yet Google Glass is a brand new product category, despite exploring augmented reality widgetry as far back the mid-90s with some grad school associates. It may or may not be more practical than a “smart” watch, but it’s way more compelling on a geek level… even if law enforcement isn’t a fan. The refreshed version supports lenses, starting with the new and included “twist-on Active Shade”
Shades seamlessly twist-on and off Glass. Created in partnership with Maui Jim and Zeal Optics, they feature color-enhancing, impact-resistant lenses. They’ve been crafted from eco-friendly materials.
Of course, the next step would be prescription. Perhaps they’ll bring Warby Parker in to help with that, as I do periodically wear glasses for improved distance vision. In addition to shades, the upgraded Glass model bundles in an (optional) earbud – should the bone conduction speaker provide too public or unclear audio… although one’s geek style quotient may take a hit. What might more effectively motivate me is news that battery life and camera optics are improved. But we’ve yet to hear anything… other than news that a mysterious barge is on the way. Guess I’ve got about 6 days left to make up my mind.
Well, one can think of it this way: If you could go back in time and buy the first ever VCR – would you do it? Didn’t the first VCR cost like $10,000?
Also, regarding prescription frames and lenses, here’s a pic of Greg wearing the prototype Warby Parkers as a look ahead to ~Q4 2014
https://plus.google.com/+GoogleGlass/posts/FnpcMY5rW6s
If you’re looking for opinions, I’d say wait.
As awesome as Glass is, unless you are a developer, they are not ready for prime time. Furthermore, once they are released, I really don’t see people wearing them 24/7. They will still be niche for quite a long time – and perhaps won’t ever hit the mainstream anytime soon.
Just my $0.02.
We have some graduate students and faculty walking around with Glass on. (Is that the right way to say it?) I will ask them what they think. Its hard to tell if they are actually using it and enjoying it…or just wearing them to spark up conversation with strangers and record it.
Unless you have a way to monetize it, I’d wait. Cost of early adoption of any new tech is worse that depreciation on new cars. Since you’re not a developer and don’t have money to waste, what’s the benefit?
Perhaps you can claim them under ACA?
I wouldn’t bother at this stage. They’re only going to get smaller, more powerful and less expensive and you’ll be sitting there wearing $1500 worth of yesterday’s clunky hardware in 12 months when (are we calling these beta or alpha?) version 2 or 3 comes out. The resale value on these will be next to nothing at that point.
I certainly get the geek factor, but to what end? I imagine the novelty will wear off quickly. Then unless you need them to develop the next great Glass app they won’t really serve much purpose.
Beware! You need to go onto the barge to pick them up. And the barge is like a roach motel. Gadget freaks check in, but they don’t check out!
Also: Google Glass is made out of people. They’re making our gadgets out of people. You’ve gotta tell them. You’ve gotta tell them!
(A more modest proposal: pay me only half of that $1500, instead of paying all of it to Google, and I promise to protect you from being called a glasshole.)
Nah, what’s the point?
You could write about it I suppose. But more than one post in say the next year? Really? There are going to be a lot of other people writing about it, and its not like this is the only site we all read. We’ll be fine without you spending the money on this.
Spend it on TV-related gadgets and you’d end up with a bunch of products, all of which would be in the sweet spot for what you cover here on ZNF, and would thus provide a) more column inches, b) more monetization options, c) more interest from your community of readers.
as a reader of your Blog, I do not want a lot of posts on your glass experience with a beta version. Glass is way ahead of the times and while it points to an interesting future it is realy only a novelty for general public use for some time to come
“Spend it on TV-related gadgets and you’d end up with a bunch of products, all of which would be in the sweet spot for what you cover here on ZNF”
Actually, if the concern here is ZNF, Dave should spend the money on a MacBook Air, rather than perpetually being disappointed with his only partially used ultra-lightweight. It’d probably make his blog coverage more productive.
—–
Also, vote tomorrow, Dave. Top-line ballot results may seem a done deal, but downballot matters.
Yep, I’m doing what I did last year… gadget lust has led me astray once again. Regarding the vote, I’m like 1/4 mile as the crow flies from the elementary school – so no problems there. Neither candidate is great, but one is exceptionally bad. And we moved my mom, the liberal ringer, into VA to rock the vote – think she already did the absentee thing.
For only $899 you can get a Roamio Pro with Lifetime! Such a deal compared to $1500 for a pair of glasses. $200 off! Act now!
I remember paying $800 for a DVR once. That was a long long time ago though.
I just got mine on Monday! Just go for it! :)
Having just run a report on our out-of-pocket health expenditures for the year and knowing what’s to come, due to a stingy employer and limited insurance policy, I probably need to abstain from pricey and potentially frivolous purchases these days. Trying to be a responsible adult. It’s hard sometimes. Maybe I’ll move to Canada for a year. Does Glass work there? ;)
“And we moved my mom, the liberal ringer, into VA to rock the vote – think she already did the absentee thing.”
Woo-hoo! Herring finally overtakes Obenshain! If Herring had lost by less than a few hundred votes, I would’ve been angry at you for not moving your 1st and 2nd degree cousins into VA too…
(All the narrow House of Delegates losses suck, but given their localization, that isn’t your fault.)
Just got offered the “opportunity” to hand $1500 over to Google as well. I’m a developer so am really considering it. I see a lot of opportunity to get in early and create some cool apps. It’s a really tough decision though.