The future, but with monthly updates
February 26, 2013 3:37 PM Subscribe
I used Google Glass - "But what’s it actually like to have Glass on? To use it when you’re walking around? Well, it’s kind of awesome."
The promo video looked awesome. Josh thinks it's awesome. I'm seriously considering forgoing the yearly laptop purchase to get some glasses. I'll also be bike touring, which these look absolutely ridiculously awesome for given the HUD directions and probable bike computer app.
posted by jaduncan at 3:40 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jaduncan at 3:40 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
This is amazing, but I'm not sure if it'll make my habit of using my phone with one hand to surf the web while walking better or worse. It looks gorgeous and sounds gorgeous, but it feels like a stopgap until we have implantable technology.
13 years ago, my guru told me to 'focus on my cinematography' when walking. It's prepared me for an Instagram world, and it'll make even more sense in a Google Glass world.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:44 PM on February 26, 2013
13 years ago, my guru told me to 'focus on my cinematography' when walking. It's prepared me for an Instagram world, and it'll make even more sense in a Google Glass world.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:44 PM on February 26, 2013
It's like Google skipped the traditional "porn is the innovation driver" step and just went ahead and designed tech for porn.
posted by chavenet at 3:46 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 3:46 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
It's like Google skipped the traditional "porn is the innovation driver" step and just went ahead and designed tech for porn.
POV porn already exists, but this will make it better.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:48 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
POV porn already exists, but this will make it better.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:48 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'd have some reservations about wearing these constantly, but they'd be great for times when you want a hands-free computer and also want a video recording option. They'd be great for driving, both for use as a dashcam as well as having a HUD for navigation.
posted by mullingitover at 3:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mullingitover at 3:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
THE FUTURE IS HANGING SHIT FROM YOUR FACE. GOOGLE COMPANY IS BEST COMPANY.
posted by turgid dahlia 2 at 3:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [37 favorites]
posted by turgid dahlia 2 at 3:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [37 favorites]
POV Glass porn: redefining the Google "Hangout"
posted by ryoshu at 3:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ryoshu at 3:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Please don't wear your computer glasses while driving.
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:56 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:56 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
Charlemagne In Sweatpants: "POV porn already exists, but this will make it better."
Well, there isn't any from my POV. Yet.
posted by chavenet at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
Well, there isn't any from my POV. Yet.
posted by chavenet at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
It's like Google skipped the traditional "porn is the innovation driver" step and just went ahead and designed tech for porn.
Wait till the nude patch for reality comes out!
posted by davros42 at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Wait till the nude patch for reality comes out!
posted by davros42 at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Metafilter: 13 years ago, my guru told me to 'focus on my cinematography' when walking.
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [35 favorites]
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 3:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [35 favorites]
Please don't wear your computer glasses while driving.
I'm just going to point out that looking at a speedo in a HUD is considerably less of a break in concentration than looking at the dashboard. This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
posted by jaduncan at 4:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [13 favorites]
I'm just going to point out that looking at a speedo in a HUD is considerably less of a break in concentration than looking at the dashboard. This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
posted by jaduncan at 4:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [13 favorites]
I already hang shit from my face. I have since I was 9 or so. If that shit can take pictures and tell me which way I'm supposed to turn, so much the better.
posted by Foosnark at 4:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [16 favorites]
posted by Foosnark at 4:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [16 favorites]
Man, I need to move to a two-party consent state like yesterday.
posted by lefty lucky cat at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by lefty lucky cat at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
I'm glad this is getting good impressions, but there's still no way I'd be an early adopter on this. If it's good already, imagine how good the second and third generations will be, after they figure put what people actually want to use this tech for. I'm not really interested in paying $1000 for an easier way to take pictures, but I'm hoping developers will be able to find uses for an internet connected always on heads up display that I can't even begin to conceive of at this time.
posted by zixyer at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by zixyer at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'm just going to point out that looking at a speedo in a HUD is considerably less of a break in concentration than looking at the dashboard. This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
Even I'd get distracted looking at Hud in a speedo.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
Even I'd get distracted looking at Hud in a speedo.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
It looks gorgeous and sounds gorgeous, but it feels like a stopgap until we have implantable technology.
And I suppose that's exactly what it is, but I think in a way you could say the same about every current smartphone. We've already got the converging-on-ubiquity interfaces - I mean, look around you on any American city bus where people can afford the baseline tech to participate in society (which is to say, at this point, "a phone number"). It seems self-evident that, whether or not this particular tech is successful, eventually it's all going to become sort of invisible and taken-for-granted.
Please don't wear your computer glasses while driving.
Are you kidding? I've wanted a driving HUD for as long as I've been driving. No more looking down at the radio to change stations, no more looking at the smartphone (or the paper map, for that matter) to figure out directions. And realistically most potential users of this thing are already looking at their phone too often in the car. Might as well make all that activity less dangerous.
posted by brennen at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
And I suppose that's exactly what it is, but I think in a way you could say the same about every current smartphone. We've already got the converging-on-ubiquity interfaces - I mean, look around you on any American city bus where people can afford the baseline tech to participate in society (which is to say, at this point, "a phone number"). It seems self-evident that, whether or not this particular tech is successful, eventually it's all going to become sort of invisible and taken-for-granted.
Please don't wear your computer glasses while driving.
Are you kidding? I've wanted a driving HUD for as long as I've been driving. No more looking down at the radio to change stations, no more looking at the smartphone (or the paper map, for that matter) to figure out directions. And realistically most potential users of this thing are already looking at their phone too often in the car. Might as well make all that activity less dangerous.
posted by brennen at 4:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Just realized if this takes off hopefully people will look at the stage instead of their phones at concerts.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:03 PM on February 26, 2013 [31 favorites]
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:03 PM on February 26, 2013 [31 favorites]
POV porn already exists, but this will make it better.
Really? Why? Do you mean from the production side (pornstars wear these while performing and record the results) or from the consumption side (I can walk down the street watching porn)? I mean, the first seems like something the current tech has pretty well in hand and the second seems like...well...let's hope it doesn't lead to getting things well in hand.
posted by yoink at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Really? Why? Do you mean from the production side (pornstars wear these while performing and record the results) or from the consumption side (I can walk down the street watching porn)? I mean, the first seems like something the current tech has pretty well in hand and the second seems like...well...let's hope it doesn't lead to getting things well in hand.
posted by yoink at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Just realized if this takes off hopefully people will look at the stage instead of their phones at concerts.
No kidding. The sooner the historical moment of the hundred-raised-iPhones passes, the happier I will be.
I actually saw a guy recording a show a few weeks back with a head-mounted camera and mics the other day. A lot to be said for that approach... Except for the bit where he had to hold his head really still.
posted by brennen at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
No kidding. The sooner the historical moment of the hundred-raised-iPhones passes, the happier I will be.
I actually saw a guy recording a show a few weeks back with a head-mounted camera and mics the other day. A lot to be said for that approach... Except for the bit where he had to hold his head really still.
posted by brennen at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
In choosing a reviewer, is there any reason Verve decided to go with the smug nebbish? Is this guy somebody's nephew or something?
posted by leotrotsky at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by leotrotsky at 4:05 PM on February 26, 2013
Just realized if this takes off hopefully people will look at the stage instead of their phones at concerts.
Hell, yeah! And, more importantly, not hold up glowing screens in front of my view of the stage!
That alone is worth all y'all going out and buying these.
posted by gurple at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Hell, yeah! And, more importantly, not hold up glowing screens in front of my view of the stage!
That alone is worth all y'all going out and buying these.
posted by gurple at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Please don't wear your computer glasses while driving.
I don't know, I'd feel much more comfortable using GPS information in the car if I could have it in HUD form. I don't know how many times i've missed a turn because it doesn't look like it's coming up on the GPS.
And I would have a bonafide freakout if I could have a pair of these to use on my bicycle or motorcycle (more the latter, in unfamiliar non-commuting areas). Not having to look down or use my hands would have actually saved me from one motorcycle accident...and would have made life just much more convenient when my life was lived only on two wheels.
posted by furnace.heart at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I don't know, I'd feel much more comfortable using GPS information in the car if I could have it in HUD form. I don't know how many times i've missed a turn because it doesn't look like it's coming up on the GPS.
And I would have a bonafide freakout if I could have a pair of these to use on my bicycle or motorcycle (more the latter, in unfamiliar non-commuting areas). Not having to look down or use my hands would have actually saved me from one motorcycle accident...and would have made life just much more convenient when my life was lived only on two wheels.
posted by furnace.heart at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Google Glass has the Segway Curse -- cool technology hamstrung by the fact that you necessarily look like a dork while you're using it. The video shows first-person what it's like to wear Google Glass, but conveniently, never shows anyone else wearing them. And that's because you'd realize they looked like dorks.
posted by the jam at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by the jam at 4:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
So there's no actual visual interface that it projects into your eyes, like a mini version of the Minority Report interface? Aww.
posted by shivohum at 4:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by shivohum at 4:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do you mean from the production side (pornstars wear these while performing and record the results) or from the consumption side (I can walk down the street watching porn)?
Both, obviously...
posted by Strass at 4:07 PM on February 26, 2013
Both, obviously...
posted by Strass at 4:07 PM on February 26, 2013
I'll probably get these eventually, certainly not as an early adopter, but I will never allow face to face conversations with someone wearing theirs because I'd like there to be some privacy left in my world. Maybe someone will invent tech that blocks these things from filming when you're standing nearby?
posted by zarah at 4:10 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by zarah at 4:10 PM on February 26, 2013
Maybe someone will invent tech that blocks these things from filming when you're standing nearby?
There is already effective technology available to interfere with these devices.
posted by gurple at 4:13 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
There is already effective technology available to interfere with these devices.
posted by gurple at 4:13 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
Gargoyles represent the embarrassing side of the Central Intelligence Corporation. Instead of using laptops, they wear their computers on their bodies , broken up into separate modules that hang on the waist, on the back, on the headset. They serve as human surveillance devices, recording everything that happens around them. Nothing looks stupider: these getups are the modern-day equivalent of the slide-rule scabbard or the calculator pouch on the belt, marking the user as belonging to a class which is at once above and far below human society. They are a boon to Hiro because they embody the worst stereotype of the CIC stringer. They dray all the attention. The payoff for this self-imposed ostracism is you can be in the Metaverse all the time, and gather data all the time.
posted by iamabot at 4:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [24 favorites]
posted by iamabot at 4:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [24 favorites]
cool technology hamstrung by the fact that you necessarily look like a dork while you're using it.
That will wear off pretty fast; they're no more weird looking than bluetooth headsets, and no one much remarks on those these days. As long as the price point isn't too high they'll normalize pretty quickly.
posted by yoink at 4:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
That will wear off pretty fast; they're no more weird looking than bluetooth headsets, and no one much remarks on those these days. As long as the price point isn't too high they'll normalize pretty quickly.
posted by yoink at 4:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
>cool technology hamstrung by the fact that you necessarily look like a dork while you're using it.
>>they're no more weird looking than bluetooth headsets
Exactly.
posted by gyc at 4:16 PM on February 26, 2013 [14 favorites]
>>they're no more weird looking than bluetooth headsets
Exactly.
posted by gyc at 4:16 PM on February 26, 2013 [14 favorites]
A gazillion photo sharing apps will use Glass for all sorts of cool and utterly pointless stuff
People will increasingly often use Glass to watch the watchmen
There will be live Glass streaming from spectacular events, wars and catastrophes
There will be a whole new category of Glass powered porn
People will complain that Glass has worsened face to face communication
People will complain that Glass has improved face to face communication
Microsoft trashes Glass
Microsoft introduces a Glass clone (but it won't be called Crystal because ...) with mediocre success
The Open Source crowd laments the proprietary nature of Glass (or its components)
Hacker ports GNU/Linux/Android to Glass
Hacker ports ancient OS to Glass
Hacker ports NES/SNES/etc emulators to Glass
Someone decides that running ZSNES in Windows in Linux In Glass is a good thing
Lots of movie makers will use Glass for their indie projects, of which at least one will become a major commercial success around the globe
Weapon hackers modify Glass so that it can be used with modern combat systems
Military-Industrial Complex gets Glass fever
No one in education really understand Glass or its impact but welcome it with terrified optimism
Some educators advocate Glass as an essential "ICT tool"
Other educators lament the ubiquity of Glass because it takes much needed resources from X
Tired of the industrial design of Glass, hipster designers/artists start creating their own 3d printed frames
A video of someone's Glass powered job application will go viral. Job landed
Artists will create all kinds of shitty Glass art until X comes along and does amazing Y
There will be all kinds of IP "theft" shenanigans
Lawyers representing various Big Content Organizations sue Google by the metric ton in every jurisdiction known to humankind
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:17 PM on February 26, 2013 [132 favorites]
People will increasingly often use Glass to watch the watchmen
There will be live Glass streaming from spectacular events, wars and catastrophes
There will be a whole new category of Glass powered porn
People will complain that Glass has worsened face to face communication
People will complain that Glass has improved face to face communication
Microsoft trashes Glass
Microsoft introduces a Glass clone (but it won't be called Crystal because ...) with mediocre success
The Open Source crowd laments the proprietary nature of Glass (or its components)
Hacker ports GNU/Linux/Android to Glass
Hacker ports ancient OS to Glass
Hacker ports NES/SNES/etc emulators to Glass
Someone decides that running ZSNES in Windows in Linux In Glass is a good thing
Lots of movie makers will use Glass for their indie projects, of which at least one will become a major commercial success around the globe
Weapon hackers modify Glass so that it can be used with modern combat systems
Military-Industrial Complex gets Glass fever
No one in education really understand Glass or its impact but welcome it with terrified optimism
Some educators advocate Glass as an essential "ICT tool"
Other educators lament the ubiquity of Glass because it takes much needed resources from X
Tired of the industrial design of Glass, hipster designers/artists start creating their own 3d printed frames
A video of someone's Glass powered job application will go viral. Job landed
Artists will create all kinds of shitty Glass art until X comes along and does amazing Y
There will be all kinds of IP "theft" shenanigans
Lawyers representing various Big Content Organizations sue Google by the metric ton in every jurisdiction known to humankind
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:17 PM on February 26, 2013 [132 favorites]
Please don't watch porn on your computer glasses while driving.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:18 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:18 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
they're no more weird looking than bluetooth headsets
I think that one ancillary effect of these glasses will be to hasten the complete normalization of bluetooth headsets (which, yeah, still look just weird enough in most places).
posted by gurple at 4:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I think that one ancillary effect of these glasses will be to hasten the complete normalization of bluetooth headsets (which, yeah, still look just weird enough in most places).
posted by gurple at 4:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
"In the future, everyone will look like that asshole Will.i.am."
— Aldous Huxley
posted by Senor Cardgage at 4:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [33 favorites]
— Aldous Huxley
posted by Senor Cardgage at 4:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [33 favorites]
>Do you mean from the production side (pornstars wear these while performing and record the results) or from the consumption side (I can walk down the street watching porn)?
Both, obviously...
Eventually some genius is going to get the idea of using these to make porn of people watching porn of people making porn while making porn, and then the recursion effect will kick in and we'll disappear into a pornographic event horizon. Mark my words, it will be a pornocalypse!
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:20 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
Both, obviously...
Eventually some genius is going to get the idea of using these to make porn of people watching porn of people making porn while making porn, and then the recursion effect will kick in and we'll disappear into a pornographic event horizon. Mark my words, it will be a pornocalypse!
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:20 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
Eventually some genius is going to get the idea of using these to make porn of people watching porn of people making porn while making porn, and then the recursion effect will kick in and we'll disappear into a pornographic event horizon. Mark my words, it will be a pornocalypse!
A Big Bang?
posted by yoink at 4:22 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
A Big Bang?
posted by yoink at 4:22 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
I'm just going to point out that looking at a speedo in a HUD is considerably less of a break in concentration than looking at the dashboard. This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
They probably aren't allowed to watch movies though.
posted by fshgrl at 4:22 PM on February 26, 2013
They probably aren't allowed to watch movies though.
posted by fshgrl at 4:22 PM on February 26, 2013
Also let's not indulge the fantasy that we're all selected and trained like fighter pilots.
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:23 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:23 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
: "Hacker ports GNU/Linux/Android to Glass
Hacker ports ancient OS to Glass
Hacker ports NES/SNES/etc emulators to Glass
Someone decides that running ZSNES in Windows in Linux In Glass is a good thing"
You forgot about the obligatory Doom port.
posted by mullingitover at 4:24 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Hacker ports ancient OS to Glass
Hacker ports NES/SNES/etc emulators to Glass
Someone decides that running ZSNES in Windows in Linux In Glass is a good thing"
You forgot about the obligatory Doom port.
posted by mullingitover at 4:24 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
Saying 'but fighter jets use x so it must be good for cars' is unconvincing unless you can show me that we are about to introduce ridiculously exhaustive training programs and physical and mental fitness requirements for license tests.
posted by jacalata at 4:25 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Saying 'but fighter jets use x so it must be good for cars' is unconvincing unless you can show me that we are about to introduce ridiculously exhaustive training programs and physical and mental fitness requirements for license tests.
posted by jacalata at 4:25 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
HUDs are not that uncommon in luxury cars. Why, I've even driven one and didn't require any extra training at all! (Other than taking off my polarized sunglasses. (I dealt with it.))
posted by jjwiseman at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by jjwiseman at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
Exactly.
Heh. I can't actually remember the last time I heard anyone make a comment about someone wearing a bluetooth earpiece; and they're not aspirational technology in any sense: you'll see grandmas and grandpas wearing them. Most of you guys are too young to remember this but it took about a decade for most people not to automatically assume that anyone with a cellphone was, ipso facto, a complete asshole. That really was a long, slow process of general acceptance. But as soon as they became generally affordable, that barrier crumbled. The same thing will happen with the Google Glass, but a lot more quickly; after all, it's really just another kind of smart phone.
posted by yoink at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
Heh. I can't actually remember the last time I heard anyone make a comment about someone wearing a bluetooth earpiece; and they're not aspirational technology in any sense: you'll see grandmas and grandpas wearing them. Most of you guys are too young to remember this but it took about a decade for most people not to automatically assume that anyone with a cellphone was, ipso facto, a complete asshole. That really was a long, slow process of general acceptance. But as soon as they became generally affordable, that barrier crumbled. The same thing will happen with the Google Glass, but a lot more quickly; after all, it's really just another kind of smart phone.
posted by yoink at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [9 favorites]
Actually, this has a lot of potential for augmented hyperreality. I kind of want to see data streams as arhats and bodhisattvas duking it out in the sky above me, like in River of Gods. I want to see text messages swoop down on me like winged Mercury.
Oh god, I'm Jaron Lanier, aren't I?
*checks for dreads*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [10 favorites]
Oh god, I'm Jaron Lanier, aren't I?
*checks for dreads*
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 4:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [10 favorites]
I'm really waiting for the highlight reel from a random office worker where it's just hours of droning fluorescent lights, quiet coughing, and a soul-sucking commute home in traffic.
posted by lattiboy at 4:28 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by lattiboy at 4:28 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
This means that all the imbeciles who can't grasp the basic notion that sticking their GPS in the center of the windshield where it can draw their eyes away from the actual world long enough to ease their transition from mere jerk to homicidal soul-Skoptsy on wheels is not a good idea will now be able to share their world-hating insularity with pedestrians, too.
The army of handlookers can prowl with their heads proudly raised, registering nothing.
What a world this future is!
posted by sonascope at 4:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
The army of handlookers can prowl with their heads proudly raised, registering nothing.
What a world this future is!
posted by sonascope at 4:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
The first unique "porn" Glass experience will be by two people wearing them, who each are watching what the other person sees.
Aaaand that sounds kinda hot.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [34 favorites]
Aaaand that sounds kinda hot.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [34 favorites]
Until the once-in-a-century meteorite hits, and we get thousands of videos from all angles in high def.
posted by jjwiseman at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by jjwiseman at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013
@TheWhiteSkull - If that comment had been 28 pages long then yes, you might be Jaron Lanier.
HUDs have been tried in cars and generally failed. In the 1980s the Nissan Z cars had them.
posted by sien at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013
HUDs have been tried in cars and generally failed. In the 1980s the Nissan Z cars had them.
posted by sien at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013
gotta say, i'm loving the huge amount of sci-fi references in this thread.
Also
THE FUTURE IS NOW
I"M LIVING IN MY SCIENCE FICTION FUTURE
FUCK YEAH WILLIAM GIBSON
brb gonna go Google ANYTHING I damn well please then see a livestream from Bolivia and then chat with my grandma in THE PHILIPPINES
posted by kurosawa's pal at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
Also
THE FUTURE IS NOW
I"M LIVING IN MY SCIENCE FICTION FUTURE
FUCK YEAH WILLIAM GIBSON
brb gonna go Google ANYTHING I damn well please then see a livestream from Bolivia and then chat with my grandma in THE PHILIPPINES
posted by kurosawa's pal at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
I'm really waiting for the highlight reel from a random office worker where it's just hours of droning fluorescent lights, quiet coughing, and a soul-sucking commute home in traffic.
I'm envisioning this as a Micheal Mann/David Fincher type thing, and now I want to see it.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm envisioning this as a Micheal Mann/David Fincher type thing, and now I want to see it.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:30 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Thank god for this. My arm has been getting really tired holding up my video camera all the way through movies in the theater.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:31 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:31 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Can you get it with prescription lenses or is this something I'm going to have to go back to wearing contacts for?
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
posted by T.D. Strange at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
When Google Glass can tap into your social networks, you'll have an idea about how well they're received.
You're walking down the sidewalk and as you pass a bar, Glass lets you know that four of your friends are inside. Cool. You got some time so you go inside the bar. You look around but don't see any of the four friends Glass listed. Thinking it made a mistake, you say, "OK Glass, where are my friends?" Glass updates the list: three ran out the back door and one is in the bathroom.
posted by perhapses at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [17 favorites]
You're walking down the sidewalk and as you pass a bar, Glass lets you know that four of your friends are inside. Cool. You got some time so you go inside the bar. You look around but don't see any of the four friends Glass listed. Thinking it made a mistake, you say, "OK Glass, where are my friends?" Glass updates the list: three ran out the back door and one is in the bathroom.
posted by perhapses at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [17 favorites]
Anyway, sure this tech is inevitable, but until they perfect total internal projection so the image shows up in my normal eyeglasses in my normal field of view, without any stupid lumps in the frame or wierd prisms hanging out by my eyebrows, it's not going on my face.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:32 PM on February 26, 2013
In choosing a reviewer, is there any reason Verve decided to go with the smug nebbish? Is this guy somebody's nephew or something?
Perhaps because, as co-founder and editor-in-chief of the website, he calls dibs on the coolest stories?
posted by akgerber at 4:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
Perhaps because, as co-founder and editor-in-chief of the website, he calls dibs on the coolest stories?
posted by akgerber at 4:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
Hell, yeah! And, more importantly, not hold up glowing screens in front of my view of the stage!
Of course the reason people are holding them up is to get a clear view of the stage. Now they'll have to stand on their seats.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Of course the reason people are holding them up is to get a clear view of the stage. Now they'll have to stand on their seats.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yay! Now we can all watch each other watching each other watch each other. Solves the panopticon problem by turning it into a kaleidoscope.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:34 PM on February 26, 2013 [14 favorites]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 4:34 PM on February 26, 2013 [14 favorites]
The first unique "porn" Glass experience will be by two people wearing them, who each are watching what the other person sees.
The dude will see a nice view of the ceiling while the woman stares at a close-up of a pillow.
posted by perhapses at 4:36 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
The dude will see a nice view of the ceiling while the woman stares at a close-up of a pillow.
posted by perhapses at 4:36 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
I dunno about you guys, but I'd be pretty goddamn uncomfortable with tech that uploaded everything I was seeing, and my location, to Google, all the time. If you thought existing cloud apps were privacy-invading, holy shit, this is the motherlode of datamining.
Now, if this stuff could work with my infrastructure, or anyone else's, if I could put up a server or use some third party's, I'd be less worried about it. If I know what data it's generating, and I can keep it under my control, I'd be okay with it. But if it's totally dependent on the Google cloud, there's no way in hell I would ever use one.
posted by Malor at 4:36 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Now, if this stuff could work with my infrastructure, or anyone else's, if I could put up a server or use some third party's, I'd be less worried about it. If I know what data it's generating, and I can keep it under my control, I'd be okay with it. But if it's totally dependent on the Google cloud, there's no way in hell I would ever use one.
posted by Malor at 4:36 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
But the feature everyone is going to go crazy with is Glass’ ability to take photos and video with a "you are there" view
OMG you guys Google invented the camera!
It was stupid last week, and it's still stupid this week.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:37 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
OMG you guys Google invented the camera!
It was stupid last week, and it's still stupid this week.
posted by Sys Rq at 4:37 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
Topolsky's okay. He's basically the archetypical manifestation of an entitled white upper middle class PacNW tech hipster/jagoff but unusually is moderately self aware and seems to be able to tone down the smugness and irony enough to be tolerably readable.
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:37 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by seanmpuckett at 4:37 PM on February 26, 2013
You're walking down the sidewalk and as you pass a bar, Glass lets you know that four of your friends are inside. Cool. You got some time so you go inside the bar. You look around but don't see any of the four friends Glass listed. Thinking it made a mistake, you say, "OK Glass, where are my friends?" Glass updates the list: three ran out the back door and one is in the bathroom.
Honestly, if it takes more than a month for Facebook to come up with an app that synchs its facial recognition technology with Google Glass so I can figure out who randoms are that I've friended when I see them I'll be pissed off. And what's so LOLworthy about using check-ins and Places and Foursquare to find out where your friends are?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:41 PM on February 26, 2013
Honestly, if it takes more than a month for Facebook to come up with an app that synchs its facial recognition technology with Google Glass so I can figure out who randoms are that I've friended when I see them I'll be pissed off. And what's so LOLworthy about using check-ins and Places and Foursquare to find out where your friends are?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 4:41 PM on February 26, 2013
For those of us who already wear glasses, meh.
I spent the biggest chunk of my workday today with FTD tech support. It took us three attempts to get the porno spam virus off my work computer today. Wonder what it will be like for someone wearing one of these glasses to get a virus at just the wrong time....that and, folks, buy stock in Excedrin because, oy, what migraines that will probably give people after awhile.....
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:42 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I spent the biggest chunk of my workday today with FTD tech support. It took us three attempts to get the porno spam virus off my work computer today. Wonder what it will be like for someone wearing one of these glasses to get a virus at just the wrong time....that and, folks, buy stock in Excedrin because, oy, what migraines that will probably give people after awhile.....
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 4:42 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
it took about a decade for most people not to automatically assume that anyone with a cellphone was, ipso facto, a complete asshole.
I made an exception for general contractors, who were early adopters.
posted by thelonius at 4:44 PM on February 26, 2013
I made an exception for general contractors, who were early adopters.
posted by thelonius at 4:44 PM on February 26, 2013
You have florist porn on your computer, St Alia?
posted by thelonius at 4:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 4:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
As far as the look goes, electronics are getting smaller and smaller, these will just look like normal glasses soon enough. It's interesting that at the moment they are completely stand-alone (although they can use your phone's data connection), I wonder if they could be made more compact by being reliant on a phone in your pocket for all the processing?
What I want to see is what you could do with them when paired to an MYO. I hate voice control, but if MYO works as well as it looks it could be an option.
posted by markr at 4:48 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
What I want to see is what you could do with them when paired to an MYO. I hate voice control, but if MYO works as well as it looks it could be an option.
posted by markr at 4:48 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure that walking down the street with $1500 attached to your face is smart.
posted by empath at 4:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by empath at 4:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
Ok, just going to say it - aside from every picture of every person that I've seen wearing one looking like a complete asshole, I do not want you around me wearing these. Google is about the opposite of respectful of privacy as you can get, and even if you're ok with their privacy terms, I'm not ok with what you do with my privacy. Your taking my picture and having the device identify me along with my location and so forth is a huge step in the wrong direction, especially when Google can go off and do god knows what with that information. Oh, and what are those privacy terms you will sign up to if you get a pair of glasses?
Well, according to contest rules, you are subjecting yourself to Google's terms of privacy. They will collect things like log information, gps information, cookie-like information, what applications you have and run, what specific device you are using, and we can associate all this with the profile we keep on you. For what? Well, read on...quite a lot of purposes.
That's right, Google's massively invasive privacy scheme will be ported to everything you do, everything you see, everywhere you go, all the time you use their product. This is, of course, Google's intent and business model.
posted by Muddler at 4:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [22 favorites]
Well, according to contest rules, you are subjecting yourself to Google's terms of privacy. They will collect things like log information, gps information, cookie-like information, what applications you have and run, what specific device you are using, and we can associate all this with the profile we keep on you. For what? Well, read on...quite a lot of purposes.
That's right, Google's massively invasive privacy scheme will be ported to everything you do, everything you see, everywhere you go, all the time you use their product. This is, of course, Google's intent and business model.
posted by Muddler at 4:49 PM on February 26, 2013 [22 favorites]
You know, invasive surveillance is expensive and most people don't like it but you wrap it up in consumer tech and people line up to pay $1,500 for the privilege of being the camera.
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:51 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:51 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
I'll be wearing the anti-Google Glass eyewear, which also has a camera, but also has a laser. Where ever it detects a Google camera lens, it shoots the camera CCD.
posted by davidpriest.ca at 4:53 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by davidpriest.ca at 4:53 PM on February 26, 2013
ADSENSE STRAIGHT TO YOUR RETINA!
posted by zippy at 4:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by zippy at 4:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Ok, just going to say it - aside from every picture of every person that I've seen wearing one looking like a complete asshole, I do not want you around me wearing these. Google is about the opposite of respectful of privacy as you can get, and even if you're ok with their privacy terms, I'm not ok with what you do with my privacy. Your taking my picture and having the device identify me along with my location and so forth is a huge step in the wrong direction, especially when Google can go off and do god knows what with that information.
Hasn't that ship sailed, though, regardless of where we happen to wear the camera? I mean, hiding a camera is just trivial at this point. Any face-recognition technology that Google Glass might use will also be installed on every iPhone and Android phone and what have you out there regardless. I guess that with Glass it's a little easier to inconspicuously take a photo of someone than with a phone (although, really, only a little--you don't have to hold the phone out at arm's length pointed at someone to take a photo with it), but that hardly seems to me to be a bright dividing line between the acceptable and the unacceptable.
posted by yoink at 4:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Hasn't that ship sailed, though, regardless of where we happen to wear the camera? I mean, hiding a camera is just trivial at this point. Any face-recognition technology that Google Glass might use will also be installed on every iPhone and Android phone and what have you out there regardless. I guess that with Glass it's a little easier to inconspicuously take a photo of someone than with a phone (although, really, only a little--you don't have to hold the phone out at arm's length pointed at someone to take a photo with it), but that hardly seems to me to be a bright dividing line between the acceptable and the unacceptable.
posted by yoink at 4:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Google Glass in focus: UI, applications & more - "The key to Glass? Developers have to use Google's server-side Mirror API, so everything goes through Google's servers. This keeps local processing needs to a minimum, keeps everything tightly controlled, and, of course, gives data to Google."
Google Glass + Black Mirror - "The third episode of the first season of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror was called The Entire History of You, in which many people have their entire lives recorded by implants."
Is American economic growth over? A TED debate on progress - "Brynjolfsson argued that the 'new machine age' is digital, replicated perfectly at zero cost, almost instantaneously—abundance has arrived. The new age is also exponential. 'Computers get better, faster, than everything, ever,' he said. The new machine age is combinatorial in that ideas do not get used up but rather create building blocks for new innovations. 'The most important invention is machine learning,' Brynjolfsson told the crowd..."
posted by kliuless at 4:56 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Google Glass + Black Mirror - "The third episode of the first season of Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror was called The Entire History of You, in which many people have their entire lives recorded by implants."
Is American economic growth over? A TED debate on progress - "Brynjolfsson argued that the 'new machine age' is digital, replicated perfectly at zero cost, almost instantaneously—abundance has arrived. The new age is also exponential. 'Computers get better, faster, than everything, ever,' he said. The new machine age is combinatorial in that ideas do not get used up but rather create building blocks for new innovations. 'The most important invention is machine learning,' Brynjolfsson told the crowd..."
posted by kliuless at 4:56 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
And I thought I was pissed off when I stepped on my normal glasses.
posted by hobo gitano de queretaro at 4:58 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by hobo gitano de queretaro at 4:58 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT GOOGLE CAN HAVE MY KIDS WANT WANT WANT WANT
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 5:00 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
gurple: "bluetooth headsets (which, yeah, still look just weird enough in most places)."
Damn, that'll get rid of my number-one way to instajudge someone. Bluetooth earpiece = self-important jagoff.
posted by notsnot at 5:01 PM on February 26, 2013
Damn, that'll get rid of my number-one way to instajudge someone. Bluetooth earpiece = self-important jagoff.
posted by notsnot at 5:01 PM on February 26, 2013
And what's so LOLworthy about using check-ins and Places and Foursquare to find out where your friends are?
Mostly that they exist to (collect data that makes it easier to) facilitate the opening of your wallet
Much like this thing
posted by junco at 5:02 PM on February 26, 2013
Mostly that they exist to (collect data that makes it easier to) facilitate the opening of your wallet
Much like this thing
posted by junco at 5:02 PM on February 26, 2013
yeah, I'd liked to think in this particular dystopian sci-fi movie, mohawked 80's punks grabbing and smashing these off the faces of techie squares would be a recurring trope... "Lookie here, Rat, we got us a mole... Let's see how good he surfs the grid without those glasses ehh heh heh..."
posted by notesondismantling at 5:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by notesondismantling at 5:02 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
While different in a number of meaningful ways, this reminds me so much of The Jerk and Navin Johnson's new invention for glasses. He lost everything. Just be careful, Google. Be careful.
posted by Francolin at 5:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by Francolin at 5:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
I WANT THIS as soon as it is not attached to the most douchetacular eyewear I have ever seen.
Until then, it will not be upon my face.
posted by louche mustachio at 5:08 PM on February 26, 2013
Until then, it will not be upon my face.
posted by louche mustachio at 5:08 PM on February 26, 2013
And what's so LOLworthy about using check-ins and Places and Foursquare to find out where your friends are?
Mostly that they exist to (collect data that makes it easier to) facilitate the opening of your wallet
Much like this thing
Who gives a shit if they want to sell me more/better stuff? Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism? If it makes my life easier to the point where I can remember people's names without needing to remember them myself what's a few ads?
yeah, I'd liked to think in this particular dystopian sci-fi movie, mohawked 80's punks grabbing and smashing these off the faces of techie squares would be a recurring trope... "Lookie here, Rat, we got us a mole... Let's see how good he surfs the grid without those glasses ehh heh heh..."
I was reading a William Gibson Sprawl book and kept getting frustrated over how the protagonist's iPhone style glasses had worse GPS reception than my phone.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:09 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Mostly that they exist to (collect data that makes it easier to) facilitate the opening of your wallet
Much like this thing
Who gives a shit if they want to sell me more/better stuff? Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism? If it makes my life easier to the point where I can remember people's names without needing to remember them myself what's a few ads?
yeah, I'd liked to think in this particular dystopian sci-fi movie, mohawked 80's punks grabbing and smashing these off the faces of techie squares would be a recurring trope... "Lookie here, Rat, we got us a mole... Let's see how good he surfs the grid without those glasses ehh heh heh..."
I was reading a William Gibson Sprawl book and kept getting frustrated over how the protagonist's iPhone style glasses had worse GPS reception than my phone.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:09 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism?
Yes?
posted by brennen at 5:12 PM on February 26, 2013 [17 favorites]
Yes?
posted by brennen at 5:12 PM on February 26, 2013 [17 favorites]
Metafilter: Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism?
posted by Strass at 5:13 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Strass at 5:13 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
I'm just going to point out that looking at a speedo in a HUD is considerably less of a break in concentration than looking at the dashboard. This is the reason that fighter jets have them.
I attended a talk given by a Nissan research scientist when I was in grad school (more than a decade ago) where he demonstrated pretty conclusively that HUDS where an incredible danger because they changes in the visual will draw your attention whether you want them to or not. So every active indication that pops up will cost you milliseconds in reaction time and as every gamer now knows - latency equals death.
I'm both intrigued and terrified by this technology.
posted by srboisvert at 5:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
I attended a talk given by a Nissan research scientist when I was in grad school (more than a decade ago) where he demonstrated pretty conclusively that HUDS where an incredible danger because they changes in the visual will draw your attention whether you want them to or not. So every active indication that pops up will cost you milliseconds in reaction time and as every gamer now knows - latency equals death.
I'm both intrigued and terrified by this technology.
posted by srboisvert at 5:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
I can't actually remember the last time I heard anyone make a comment about someone wearing a bluetooth earpiece
Yeah, sorry, I still think those things are the complete dorkiest; not just nerdy but dorky in an almost aggressive way.
Put those same people in these glasses and have them strutting around saying "okay glass!" to no one and it just ramps up the dorkiness into the stratosphere.
this reminds me so much of The Jerk and Navin Johnson's new invention for glasses
Yes! My first thought was Introducing The New OptiGrab 3000™.
posted by chococat at 5:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah, sorry, I still think those things are the complete dorkiest; not just nerdy but dorky in an almost aggressive way.
Put those same people in these glasses and have them strutting around saying "okay glass!" to no one and it just ramps up the dorkiness into the stratosphere.
this reminds me so much of The Jerk and Navin Johnson's new invention for glasses
Yes! My first thought was Introducing The New OptiGrab 3000™.
posted by chococat at 5:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Who gives a shit if they want to sell me more/better stuff?
Well, I guess I don't care if they want to sell you stuff. I don't want them to try to sell me anything.
Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism? If it makes my life easier to the point where I can remember people's names without needing to remember them myself what's a few ads?
I don't know what "the very notion of capitalism" has to do with it. I see enough ads trying to make me want to spend money on shit I don't need every day, and I'd rather have less of that than more. Obviously you feel differently. Personally, I'd rather just not bother pretending to know the names of people I don't care about.
posted by junco at 5:21 PM on February 26, 2013
Well, I guess I don't care if they want to sell you stuff. I don't want them to try to sell me anything.
Are you opposed to the very notion of capitalism? If it makes my life easier to the point where I can remember people's names without needing to remember them myself what's a few ads?
I don't know what "the very notion of capitalism" has to do with it. I see enough ads trying to make me want to spend money on shit I don't need every day, and I'd rather have less of that than more. Obviously you feel differently. Personally, I'd rather just not bother pretending to know the names of people I don't care about.
posted by junco at 5:21 PM on February 26, 2013
I see enough ads trying to make me want to spend money on shit I don't need every day, and I'd rather have less of that than more.
The idea of targeted advertising is that you'll get ads for shit you do need (or want).
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:23 PM on February 26, 2013
The idea of targeted advertising is that you'll get ads for shit you do need (or want).
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:23 PM on February 26, 2013
seanmpuckett: "The first unique "porn" Glass experience will be by two people wearing them, who each are watching what the other person sees.
Aaaand that sounds kinda hot."
Yeah, a dofus wearing Google Glasses.
It'd be like holding a mirror up to my partners face only to see my fedora.
posted by wcfields at 5:24 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
Aaaand that sounds kinda hot."
Yeah, a dofus wearing Google Glasses.
It'd be like holding a mirror up to my partners face only to see my fedora.
posted by wcfields at 5:24 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
At one point during my time with Glass, we all went out to navigate to a nearby Starbucks — the camera crew I’d brought with me came along. As soon as we got inside however, the employees at Starbucks asked us to stop filming. Sure, no problem. But I kept the Glass’ video recorder going, all the way through my order and getting my coffee. Yes, you can see a light in the prism when the device is recording, but I got the impression that most people had no idea what they were looking at. The cashier seemed to be on the verge of asking me what I was wearing on my face, but the question never came. He certainly never asked me to stop filming.
posted by codacorolla at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by codacorolla at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013
I don't think these will catch on. They seem to add little while having big drawbacks. Maybe they will find a niche where they can thrive, but I don't expect the average man in the street will ever be wearing a pair.
posted by Jehan at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Jehan at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013
Back in the 90s I was next to a friend who was in a conversation with Steve Mann, which meant that I was data, sustained over the course of a few minutes.
I did not enjoy it.
If I see someone wearing one of these things I will give them a wide berth.
posted by user92371 at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I did not enjoy it.
If I see someone wearing one of these things I will give them a wide berth.
posted by user92371 at 5:26 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Man, I need to move to a two-party consent state like yesterday.
Don't worry - to protect public officials from being recorded while doing their job the law will change.
posted by rough ashlar at 5:31 PM on February 26, 2013
Don't worry - to protect public officials from being recorded while doing their job the law will change.
posted by rough ashlar at 5:31 PM on February 26, 2013
The idea of targeted advertising is that you'll get ads for shit you do need (or want).
Who cares? It's not like advertisement actually tells you anything about the product -- it's there to create "awareness".
But the real point is that Google mines your data to sell to advertisers. Why would anyone pay $1500 to enable that? But then, I don't understand why anyone pays $50+ / month for ads on their televisions, so obviously I don't understand much about how the world works.
posted by junco at 5:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Who cares? It's not like advertisement actually tells you anything about the product -- it's there to create "awareness".
But the real point is that Google mines your data to sell to advertisers. Why would anyone pay $1500 to enable that? But then, I don't understand why anyone pays $50+ / month for ads on their televisions, so obviously I don't understand much about how the world works.
posted by junco at 5:32 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah, sorry, I still think those things are the complete dorkiest
No need to apologize; I've never owned one. But random personal opinions aren't really what I'm talking about; heck, there are people out there who think beer tastes horrible and people who think wearing jeans is impossibly declasse--these people do not represent a threat to either the beer or the jeans industry. You used to be able to paint a particular social picture of someone in a movie or a play by having them walk in talking on a cellphone: A-type asshole. You really can't do the same thing with the bluetooth headset; at most it says "tech-comfortable person."
Maybe they will find a niche where they can thrive, but I don't expect the average man in the street will ever be wearing a pair
Well, who knows, but I have an inkling that comments like that are going to be the "who needs a computer at home?" of the future. Most younger people hardly ever remove their cellphones from their hands unless it's to put them on the table in front of them. Getting all that phone functionality while setting your hands free--and adding the small "OMG, I'm living in the FUTURE" frisson into the bargain seems to me like a pretty obvious selling point. And, of course, it won't just be Google Glass--there'll be Samsung and Apple and all the rest selling all kinds of variants--and they'll rapidly get to be less and less chunky and less and less obtrusive, too. I find it hard to imagine that they won't become pretty ubiquitous, myself.
posted by yoink at 5:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
No need to apologize; I've never owned one. But random personal opinions aren't really what I'm talking about; heck, there are people out there who think beer tastes horrible and people who think wearing jeans is impossibly declasse--these people do not represent a threat to either the beer or the jeans industry. You used to be able to paint a particular social picture of someone in a movie or a play by having them walk in talking on a cellphone: A-type asshole. You really can't do the same thing with the bluetooth headset; at most it says "tech-comfortable person."
Maybe they will find a niche where they can thrive, but I don't expect the average man in the street will ever be wearing a pair
Well, who knows, but I have an inkling that comments like that are going to be the "who needs a computer at home?" of the future. Most younger people hardly ever remove their cellphones from their hands unless it's to put them on the table in front of them. Getting all that phone functionality while setting your hands free--and adding the small "OMG, I'm living in the FUTURE" frisson into the bargain seems to me like a pretty obvious selling point. And, of course, it won't just be Google Glass--there'll be Samsung and Apple and all the rest selling all kinds of variants--and they'll rapidly get to be less and less chunky and less and less obtrusive, too. I find it hard to imagine that they won't become pretty ubiquitous, myself.
posted by yoink at 5:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
The more I think about walking down the street with every single person I encounter pointing a video camera at me the less comfortable I get. These things will make CCTV cameras redundant while making the privacy problem significantly worse.
Of course I suppose it's merely the next step after Facebook. Now that we've gotten millions of people to give up on their own privacy we can move on the having them wipe out everyone else's.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:34 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Of course I suppose it's merely the next step after Facebook. Now that we've gotten millions of people to give up on their own privacy we can move on the having them wipe out everyone else's.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:34 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I don't think these will catch on.
I disagree. I think this technology or something close to it will displace the cell phone.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:37 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I disagree. I think this technology or something close to it will displace the cell phone.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:37 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
You used to be able to paint a particular social picture of someone in a movie or a play by having them walk in talking on a cellphone...You really can't do the same thing with the bluetooth headset; at most it says "tech-comfortable person."
Heh.
posted by chococat at 5:39 PM on February 26, 2013
Heh.
posted by chococat at 5:39 PM on February 26, 2013
seanmpuckett: "The first unique "porn" Glass experience will be by two people wearing them, who each are watching what the other person sees. Aaaand that sounds kinda hot."
No.
Thanks.
Do not want to see own face. Nope.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 5:41 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
No.
Thanks.
Do not want to see own face. Nope.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 5:41 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Heh.
That's a great clip, but the joke isn't "OMG, look at that jagoff with the bluetooth headset!" it's "OMG, look at this boob who hasn't figured out how to use his bluetooth headset!"--and on top of that, it's already quite a few years old.
posted by yoink at 5:45 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's a great clip, but the joke isn't "OMG, look at that jagoff with the bluetooth headset!" it's "OMG, look at this boob who hasn't figured out how to use his bluetooth headset!"--and on top of that, it's already quite a few years old.
posted by yoink at 5:45 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Do not want to see own face. Nope.
Just imagine it, though! Men would no longer have to think about baseball statistics and Margaret Thatcher while trying to slow things down!
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Just imagine it, though! Men would no longer have to think about baseball statistics and Margaret Thatcher while trying to slow things down!
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Human beings have developed a new problem since the advent of the iPhone and the following mobile revolution: no one is paying attention to anything they’re actually doing. Everyone seems to be looking down at something or through something. Those perfect moments watching your favorite band play or your kid’s recital are either being captured via the lens of a device that sits between you and the actual experience, or being interrupted by constant notifications. Pings from the outside world, breaking into what used to be whole, personal moments.
Strapping the computer screen directly to your eyeball is not the way to solve this problem.
posted by Commander Rachek at 5:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
Strapping the computer screen directly to your eyeball is not the way to solve this problem.
posted by Commander Rachek at 5:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [8 favorites]
Whenever I see a story about Google Glass, I wonder how long before there is a viral video of someone dying wearing Google Glasses.
posted by charlie don't surf at 5:48 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by charlie don't surf at 5:48 PM on February 26, 2013
Well, it will sure be a lot easier for employers to keep tabs on their employees. (Don't think they will? Read the Tesco article.) And of course the government will be able to subpoena all of this at any time, which will be nice too.
Tell you what, take a picture of me with these without my permission and I will render your $1500 dollar glasses into two $750 dollar monocles. No charge.
posted by jcworth at 5:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Tell you what, take a picture of me with these without my permission and I will render your $1500 dollar glasses into two $750 dollar monocles. No charge.
posted by jcworth at 5:52 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
"Take a picture" snaps a photo. "Record a video" records ten seconds of video.
"Paint target" causes the person in front of you to be struck by a nerf dart launched from a quadrotor hovering nearby overhead.
I crave one of these. Installing a bit of facial recognition software would mean I'd never again have to remember the names of acquaintances.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 5:53 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
"Paint target" causes the person in front of you to be struck by a nerf dart launched from a quadrotor hovering nearby overhead.
I crave one of these. Installing a bit of facial recognition software would mean I'd never again have to remember the names of acquaintances.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 5:53 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
You wouldn't hit someone with glasses would you?
I wouldn't have thought so. But. Yes. I would.
posted by dabug at 5:54 PM on February 26, 2013
I wouldn't have thought so. But. Yes. I would.
posted by dabug at 5:54 PM on February 26, 2013
Tell you what, take a picture of me with these without my permission and I will render your $1500 dollar glasses into two $750 dollar monocles. No charge.
Why are people so much more freaked out by this camera than all the other cameras that surround us every single time we walk out our front door? I mean, if you live in the US, I've always had every right to pull out a camera and take your photo in complete disregard of your feelings on the matter if you're in a public place. And it hardly takes Google Glass to make that easy to accomplish without your even being aware of it. Even in the days of good old fashioned film cameras you could buy a lens that shot at a 45% angle.
posted by yoink at 6:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
Why are people so much more freaked out by this camera than all the other cameras that surround us every single time we walk out our front door? I mean, if you live in the US, I've always had every right to pull out a camera and take your photo in complete disregard of your feelings on the matter if you're in a public place. And it hardly takes Google Glass to make that easy to accomplish without your even being aware of it. Even in the days of good old fashioned film cameras you could buy a lens that shot at a 45% angle.
posted by yoink at 6:06 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]
reality tv -- 24/hour always streaming.
posted by Shit Parade at 6:07 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Shit Parade at 6:07 PM on February 26, 2013
Google's going to be driven out of business by lawsuits from the millions of people who develop a lazy right eye that drifts to the right, kind of like what happened with the Steve Martin character in The Jerk. Optigrab 2.0.
posted by MegoSteve at 6:10 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by MegoSteve at 6:10 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
The more I think about walking down the street with every single person I encounter pointing a video camera at me the less comfortable I get.
Are you a cop?
But seriously, I think this confuses privacy and anonymity. You don't have an expectation of privacy when you're walking down the street - I can already take your picture without your permission or knowledge. You're in public.
What you see as threatening I see as kinda great. You're already going to be monitored, surveilled, and recorded in public. But wearable technology like this affords you at least the opportunity to RECORD THEM BACK.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
Are you a cop?
But seriously, I think this confuses privacy and anonymity. You don't have an expectation of privacy when you're walking down the street - I can already take your picture without your permission or knowledge. You're in public.
What you see as threatening I see as kinda great. You're already going to be monitored, surveilled, and recorded in public. But wearable technology like this affords you at least the opportunity to RECORD THEM BACK.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 6:14 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
I can't think of Google Glass without hearing Arnold Schwarzenegger respond, "Fuck you, asshole." Can't wait for the implants.
posted by Brak at 6:15 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Brak at 6:15 PM on February 26, 2013
All I know is that I'm one step closer to having Garrus Varkarian as my boyfriend in real life.
posted by bibliowench at 6:28 PM on February 26, 2013 [12 favorites]
posted by bibliowench at 6:28 PM on February 26, 2013 [12 favorites]
You don't have an expectation of privacy when you're walking down the street - I can already take your picture without your permission or knowledge. You're in public.
There is a difference between appearing in public, and having an expectation of your every move being publicised. The latter is a comparatively new thing.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
There is a difference between appearing in public, and having an expectation of your every move being publicised. The latter is a comparatively new thing.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 6:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
That's not an inoperable brain tumor, that's a feature.
posted by PuppyCat at 6:31 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by PuppyCat at 6:31 PM on February 26, 2013
I can't actually remember the last time I heard anyone make a comment about someone wearing a bluetooth earpieceTwo people wearing Google Glass walk into a bar... (I can't believe nobody already posted this!)
Yeah, sorry, I still think those things are the complete dorkiest; not just nerdy but dorky in an almost aggressive way.
Put those same people in these glasses and have them strutting around saying "okay glass!" to no one and it just ramps up the dorkiness into the stratosphere.
No wonder Google is now actively working with designers to craft something that non-techies might actually wear. I mean, I'm all for cool new living in the future, but those things are kinda ugly.
posted by canine epigram at 6:38 PM on February 26, 2013
All I know is that I'm one step closer to having Garrus Varkarian as my boyfriend in real life.
I think you'll probably have to convert to Turian Orthodox first.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:41 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think you'll probably have to convert to Turian Orthodox first.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 6:41 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
HUDs have been tried in cars and generally failed. In the 1980s the Nissan Z cars had them.
also, the Z-cars they talked: THE DOOR IS AJAR... THE DOOR IS AJAR... THE DOOR IS AJAR... [pulls fuse]
It's like an arms race for professional people with too much cash: how can I look like the biggest asshole on the street. First, all you had to do was talk on your honking huge cellphone. Then, you had to hide your cellphone and talk on your bluetooth and suddenly every sidewalk had incredibly well-dressed schizophrenics having conversations with no one. Now, you have to have magic glasses so that you can google things AT ALL TIMES ... what's next?
posted by ennui.bz at 6:41 PM on February 26, 2013
also, the Z-cars they talked: THE DOOR IS AJAR... THE DOOR IS AJAR... THE DOOR IS AJAR... [pulls fuse]
It's like an arms race for professional people with too much cash: how can I look like the biggest asshole on the street. First, all you had to do was talk on your honking huge cellphone. Then, you had to hide your cellphone and talk on your bluetooth and suddenly every sidewalk had incredibly well-dressed schizophrenics having conversations with no one. Now, you have to have magic glasses so that you can google things AT ALL TIMES ... what's next?
posted by ennui.bz at 6:41 PM on February 26, 2013
Nothing says "I would like to have a normal human interaction" like pointing a camera at every single person you talk to all the time.
posted by mhoye at 6:43 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 6:43 PM on February 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
My only issue with this is that the iPhone has been speeding up innovations with games, and I can't really see Google Glass doing the same thing. Unless you had some kind of Bluetooth keypad you could hold in one hand, or Augmented Reality games really took off.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:43 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:43 PM on February 26, 2013
Nothing says "I would like to have a normal human interaction" like pointing a camera at every single person you talk to all the time.
Could you set it to have color coded overlays, so it facially recognizes that somebody you've listed is a potential friend or romantic partner is in the field of view so it's Green, and somebody you've pissed off is Red, and somebody who's valuable for networking is Blue?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Could you set it to have color coded overlays, so it facially recognizes that somebody you've listed is a potential friend or romantic partner is in the field of view so it's Green, and somebody you've pissed off is Red, and somebody who's valuable for networking is Blue?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
"Google Glass is so futuristic it's like wearing a Segway on your face." - Matt Novak
posted by mhoye at 6:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 6:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
Tell you what, take a picture of me with these without my permission and I will render your $1500 dollar glasses into two $750 dollar monocles. No charge.
It's like clockwork. Every time a thread on these things comes up (or one about wearable computing, or formerly camera/smart phones, at least until they were normalized), the threats of violence come out.
I'm not sure of the implications of this, but I don't like it.
posted by CrystalDave at 6:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [22 favorites]
It's like clockwork. Every time a thread on these things comes up (or one about wearable computing, or formerly camera/smart phones, at least until they were normalized), the threats of violence come out.
I'm not sure of the implications of this, but I don't like it.
posted by CrystalDave at 6:47 PM on February 26, 2013 [22 favorites]
Two people wearing Google Glass walk into a bar... (I can't believe nobody already posted this!)
I can't believe nobody already posted this. I'm declaring Google Glass a valid target.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:49 PM on February 26, 2013
I can't believe nobody already posted this. I'm declaring Google Glass a valid target.
posted by charlie don't surf at 6:49 PM on February 26, 2013
I'm not sure of the implications of this, but I don't like it.
It means the arrest of a whole lot of idiots dumb enough to attack the guy wearing Internet connected cameras.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:53 PM on February 26, 2013 [12 favorites]
I have a HUD in my car. It's awesome. I don't have to take my eyes off the road to check the speedometer.
posted by A Bad Catholic at 6:54 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by A Bad Catholic at 6:54 PM on February 26, 2013
I have a halfway decent kinesthetic sense and pay attention to my surroundings and my sensory input. I don't often take my eyes off the road to check the speedometer.
posted by waxbanks at 6:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by waxbanks at 6:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
"According to the Vision Council of America, approximately 75% of adults use some sort of vision correction. About 64% of them wear eyeglasses" unreliable but let's just pretend for a sec source
I'm one of those. So I guess I and the other 64% can just suck it.
Shame, I was hoping for some infinite-focus laser-projected shit. This is just a camera with a tiny silly screen that, so far, nobody will show me a picture of from the eye's perspective.
No wifi, less space than a Nomad, etc.
posted by abulafa at 7:01 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm one of those. So I guess I and the other 64% can just suck it.
Shame, I was hoping for some infinite-focus laser-projected shit. This is just a camera with a tiny silly screen that, so far, nobody will show me a picture of from the eye's perspective.
No wifi, less space than a Nomad, etc.
posted by abulafa at 7:01 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
The GIS implications are astonishing. Being able to display and see a vector layer of roads. Or geocaches. Or that spot you found some mushrooms that one time (with a saved picture and video tagged to it). There are GIS layers of underground lines, load that on your glasses and you can look underground.
There are web sites that let you watch planes in real time on Google Maps. Boom, your glasses show where a plane should be, what the flight letters are, where it's headed. Big ships with AIS signalling? Boom, as you cross the Bay Bridge that ship is the Kirin headed to Baltimore, with tonnage listed etc.
You know that think on your phone that shows you constellations. Just imagine, looking up and boom that's Venus!
It's insane, I want it.b
posted by Patapsco Mike at 7:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
There are web sites that let you watch planes in real time on Google Maps. Boom, your glasses show where a plane should be, what the flight letters are, where it's headed. Big ships with AIS signalling? Boom, as you cross the Bay Bridge that ship is the Kirin headed to Baltimore, with tonnage listed etc.
You know that think on your phone that shows you constellations. Just imagine, looking up and boom that's Venus!
It's insane, I want it.b
posted by Patapsco Mike at 7:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
To those of you worried that this will just upload every aspect of your personal life to Google I urge you not to worry: AT&T will hamstring the data service so bad and use such restrictive teired pricing that only the wealthiest among us could afford to surrender their privacy.
posted by sourwookie at 7:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by sourwookie at 7:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
You know that think on your phone that shows you constellations. Just imagine, looking up and boom that's Venus!
just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a computer know it for you!
Metafilter: Lots of Us Hate Bodies
posted by waxbanks at 7:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a computer know it for you!
Metafilter: Lots of Us Hate Bodies
posted by waxbanks at 7:07 PM on February 26, 2013 [11 favorites]
I have a halfway decent kinesthetic sense and pay attention to my surroundings and my sensory input. I don't often take my eyes off the road to check the speedometer.
Well before I had the HUD, I didn't get in any accidents, so I think my kinesthetic sense, situational awareness, and attention to sensory input are pretty good. I'm just saying that HUDs in cars are still around and can be useful as opposed to the claim that "HUDs have been tried in cars and generally failed" as was stated above.
posted by A Bad Catholic at 7:10 PM on February 26, 2013
Well before I had the HUD, I didn't get in any accidents, so I think my kinesthetic sense, situational awareness, and attention to sensory input are pretty good. I'm just saying that HUDs in cars are still around and can be useful as opposed to the claim that "HUDs have been tried in cars and generally failed" as was stated above.
posted by A Bad Catholic at 7:10 PM on February 26, 2013
I hate this. I dont even own a damn smartphone, all this screen focus and distraction and everyone walking around head buried in that shiny little bright light inches from their face just not even there except in body and this constant layering of information you just dont need- a clock, in front of you every second of the day? the weather right now? Is your time that stretched? do you not trust your eyes to guage weather from looking at the actual sky? But well damn if I must participate, OK then note to my broker:
buy more damn google shares
posted by Plutocratte at 7:14 PM on February 26, 2013
buy more damn google shares
posted by Plutocratte at 7:14 PM on February 26, 2013
Metafilter: Lots of Us Hate Bodies
Bring on the mind uploads & body sleeving!
(Plus, y'know, why just know something about the world when you could know something about the world, and know a little bit of everything about the world!)
But then again, I'm sure that's not an issue for some people. I'd love to have had the time to learn constellations in both hemispheres, spectral data on every naked-eye object, leaf identification for multiple continents, the history behind every statue or public work of note, basic conversational knowledge of several languages, etc. (As well as knowing the tools of whichever trade you're in)
As for me, I'll learn what I can about the world, sure, but I see no reason not to try to learn more while I'm at it.
Though I think I just realized a great idea for this/one of its incarnations: Programming reference. That way I could pull up documentation for a function without having to switch focus.
posted by CrystalDave at 7:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bring on the mind uploads & body sleeving!
(Plus, y'know, why just know something about the world when you could know something about the world, and know a little bit of everything about the world!)
But then again, I'm sure that's not an issue for some people. I'd love to have had the time to learn constellations in both hemispheres, spectral data on every naked-eye object, leaf identification for multiple continents, the history behind every statue or public work of note, basic conversational knowledge of several languages, etc. (As well as knowing the tools of whichever trade you're in)
As for me, I'll learn what I can about the world, sure, but I see no reason not to try to learn more while I'm at it.
Though I think I just realized a great idea for this/one of its incarnations: Programming reference. That way I could pull up documentation for a function without having to switch focus.
posted by CrystalDave at 7:19 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
@CrystalDave - considered Intellisense or equivalent? Seems less focus-defeating.
Otherwise, I don't disagree. I just don't think this is anywhere close to that.
posted by abulafa at 7:22 PM on February 26, 2013
Otherwise, I don't disagree. I just don't think this is anywhere close to that.
posted by abulafa at 7:22 PM on February 26, 2013
I'm not sure that walking down the street with $1500 attached to your face is smart.Add some decent bandwidth to these, so that their video can be cached on your home computer along with the glasses themselves, and walking down the street without worrying about robbery may someday be a whole lot smarter. Criminal careers may have a much shorter halflife in a world where assault reports look less like "Be on the lookout for a tall caucasian male in a grey sweatshirt" and more like face_recognition_databases.criminal_suspects.add("high_res_mugger_closeup.jpg").
A few decades of that and "You should be able to walk down a dark alley naked without fear" might become a positive statement, not just a normative statement.
posted by roystgnr at 7:27 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
I'm not sure that walking down the street with $1500 attached to your face is smart.
Eh, where I live people walk around wearing far more than that all the time (especially if you count engagement/wedding rings, etc). I guess its slightly more noticeably expensive, but $2000 jackets and such are just as easy to steal.
No wifi,
Er, what? It has WiFi. The article specifically mentions this, plus how else would it do stuff?
This is just a camera with a tiny silly screen that, so far, nobody will show me a picture of from the eye's perspective.
This video of Glass is in fact more or less what it looks like from your eye / POV.
posted by wildcrdj at 7:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Eh, where I live people walk around wearing far more than that all the time (especially if you count engagement/wedding rings, etc). I guess its slightly more noticeably expensive, but $2000 jackets and such are just as easy to steal.
No wifi,
Er, what? It has WiFi. The article specifically mentions this, plus how else would it do stuff?
This is just a camera with a tiny silly screen that, so far, nobody will show me a picture of from the eye's perspective.
This video of Glass is in fact more or less what it looks like from your eye / POV.
posted by wildcrdj at 7:29 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
You don't have an expectation of privacy when you're walking down the street - I can already take your picture without your permission or knowledge. You're in public.
There's certainly no legal expectation of privacy, but there's still that pesky social contract to worry about. There are any number of legal activities you can engage in that taken to the extreme of everyone doing them all the time become unpalatable.
In this particular case the difference between "somebody may record me from time to time" and "upwards of 20 people *are* recording me *all* the time" makes a significant difference in how I feel about interacting with society.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
There's certainly no legal expectation of privacy, but there's still that pesky social contract to worry about. There are any number of legal activities you can engage in that taken to the extreme of everyone doing them all the time become unpalatable.
In this particular case the difference between "somebody may record me from time to time" and "upwards of 20 people *are* recording me *all* the time" makes a significant difference in how I feel about interacting with society.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:44 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Aaaugh, having watched that video of Glass just now, I would like to escalate my histrionic distaste for this fucking nightmare tool. You know how these days you're not really just watching something on TV anymore, but something with this goddamn omnipresent "bug" in the corner of the screen like a little dried cum splatter you can't ever clean off the glass? Glass inserts that into your actual life. Yeah, in this regard, I will happily own my old-man-with-a-front-yard status and say this is, to me, what my afterlife would be like if I lived really, really badly—a sort of distracted eternity in which promos for Sons of Anarchy and Storage Wars keep popping up interminably in my field of vision.
Ick. Just ick.
On the good side, I have more than enough Victorian gay porn for my stereopticon so I'll never ever need one of these things.
posted by sonascope at 7:53 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
Ick. Just ick.
On the good side, I have more than enough Victorian gay porn for my stereopticon so I'll never ever need one of these things.
posted by sonascope at 7:53 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
You know how these days you're not really just watching something on TV anymore, but something with this goddamn omnipresent "bug" in the corner of the screen like a little dried cum splatter you can't ever clean off the glass?
I hate that!
I mean the bug thing.
posted by empath at 7:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
I hate that!
I mean the bug thing.
posted by empath at 7:55 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
I already wear glasses so this is a no brainer for me but what I want is an all purpose display, not Google Glass. I want to play skyrim on my PC, GTA 5 on my 360 and see who the fuck is texting me without having to whip my phone out of my pocket. If Google Glass lets me do even half of that, I'm in. If I have to wait for Apple iGlass or Microsoft GlassesX 8 Ultimate for Workgroups I will.
posted by Ad hominem at 8:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Ad hominem at 8:05 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Back of the envelope calculation:
Let's say 2.5 gigs per hour for fairly high quality 1080p output. You record everything but sleep, so 16 hours a day. 365 days a year. That's 14.6 terabytes. A 2 terabyte drive is currently around $170, so that's $1241 for a year's worth of footage without redundancy. Double it for redundancy and that's 2482 per year. Not bad for a complete record of your life.
posted by condour75 at 8:26 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Let's say 2.5 gigs per hour for fairly high quality 1080p output. You record everything but sleep, so 16 hours a day. 365 days a year. That's 14.6 terabytes. A 2 terabyte drive is currently around $170, so that's $1241 for a year's worth of footage without redundancy. Double it for redundancy and that's 2482 per year. Not bad for a complete record of your life.
posted by condour75 at 8:26 PM on February 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Give this to Laurie Anderson and let her decide what it's worth and what you can do with it. Then, she can let us know.
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 8:31 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by JimInLoganSquare at 8:31 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Yeah, it's all fun and games until somebody puts an eye out.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:43 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by octobersurprise at 8:43 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Honestly, most of you should go read the developer's docs that have been released before going off on what this will and won't do.
posted by GuyZero at 8:46 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by GuyZero at 8:46 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Back of the envelope calculation:
Let's say 2.5 gigs per hour for fairly high quality 1080p output. You record everything but sleep, so 16 hours a day. 365 days a year. That's 14.6 terabytes. A 2 terabyte drive is currently around $170, so that's $1241 for a year's worth of footage without redundancy. Double it for redundancy and that's 2482 per year. Not bad for a complete record of your life.
Come on, you don't need to double that for redundancy. You just bought 8 two-terabyte drives -- use Hamming Codes (as found inany all decent data centres) and you only need to add on one or two more to get full single-drive-error data recovery. So, maybe only $1600 - $1700 per year, tops.
posted by Arandia at 8:54 PM on February 26, 2013
Let's say 2.5 gigs per hour for fairly high quality 1080p output. You record everything but sleep, so 16 hours a day. 365 days a year. That's 14.6 terabytes. A 2 terabyte drive is currently around $170, so that's $1241 for a year's worth of footage without redundancy. Double it for redundancy and that's 2482 per year. Not bad for a complete record of your life.
Come on, you don't need to double that for redundancy. You just bought 8 two-terabyte drives -- use Hamming Codes (as found in
posted by Arandia at 8:54 PM on February 26, 2013
Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere, et cum illi pueri dicerent: "OK Glass, Sibylla ti thelei"; respondebat ilud: "Buy cheap SIBYL now! Local mom has doctors furious at ten-second ampulla-cleansing tip! Apothanein thelei."
posted by No-sword at 8:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by No-sword at 8:57 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I can't find any documentation on the Google Glass Mirror API, only This Video. Maybe I am not looking hard enough. One thing the video does say is that it uses "restful web services". SMS to your Google Glass is probably not hard, even if you have to hack it together using Twilio or something, but no Skyrim.
posted by Ad hominem at 9:00 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Ad hominem at 9:00 PM on February 26, 2013
If I have to wait for Apple iGlass or Microsoft GlassesX 8 Ultimate for Workgroups I will.
There are already Google Glasses copies on the way, so I'm sure that if they become a thing, you'll be able to buy an imitator and run Linux on it if you want.
posted by Pyry at 9:18 PM on February 26, 2013
There are already Google Glasses copies on the way, so I'm sure that if they become a thing, you'll be able to buy an imitator and run Linux on it if you want.
posted by Pyry at 9:18 PM on February 26, 2013
cool technology hamstrung by the fact that you necessarily look like a dork while you're using it. -- the jam
People already wear all kinds of weird sunglasses. These don't particularly stand out as weird or dorky. I saw someone wearing these last week, and didn't think anything of it until I left the store and was walking to my car. "Hey wait a minute. He was wearing Google Glass!"
posted by eye of newt at 9:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
People already wear all kinds of weird sunglasses. These don't particularly stand out as weird or dorky. I saw someone wearing these last week, and didn't think anything of it until I left the store and was walking to my car. "Hey wait a minute. He was wearing Google Glass!"
posted by eye of newt at 9:33 PM on February 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
All you people worrying about being served ads or unwanted content need to chill. This thing will run Android (according to the NYT) and thus will be rooted LONG before it's released for commercial sale. Then you just install your favorite adblocker software, maybe something like Talkatone to cut down on your data usage on your mobile plan, etc. It's one of the joys of Google being determined to deliver a "true" Android experience on all their labeled devices. No interfering carrier overlays and UI's.
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 9:35 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by Purposeful Grimace at 9:35 PM on February 26, 2013
I'm not sure that walking down the street with $1500 attached to your face is smart.
I must live in a sketchier place than most you, because this seems to be an uncommon reaction but it was my first reaction.
posted by rollbiz at 10:03 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I must live in a sketchier place than most you, because this seems to be an uncommon reaction but it was my first reaction.
posted by rollbiz at 10:03 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'm curious that in none of the advertising I've seen for Google Glass have there been clear examples shown of people using Google Glass glasses (Glass glasses?) for work (with the exception of kinds of artistic work which also might be leisure activities; but no office work or factory work etc.) or for news reporting (citizen or professional).
Because they know that’s the downside they don’t want anyone to think about. Many people would have never, and still wouldn’t, have a mobile phone, but their work requires it. So you can be available and reachable at all times. At some point many people will be required to wear these damn things or something like them and everyone will hate them and find it hilarious that people were excited about it when it came out.
posted by bongo_x at 10:04 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Because they know that’s the downside they don’t want anyone to think about. Many people would have never, and still wouldn’t, have a mobile phone, but their work requires it. So you can be available and reachable at all times. At some point many people will be required to wear these damn things or something like them and everyone will hate them and find it hilarious that people were excited about it when it came out.
posted by bongo_x at 10:04 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Google owes Charlie Stross a pair, so he can be Manfred Macx for a bit.
posted by mrbill at 10:15 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by mrbill at 10:15 PM on February 26, 2013 [4 favorites]
but no Skyrim.
Give it five years and you'll be able to LARP with NPCs.
posted by jaduncan at 10:18 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Give it five years and you'll be able to LARP with NPCs.
posted by jaduncan at 10:18 PM on February 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
This thing will run Android (according to the NYT) and thus will be rooted LONG before it's released for commercial sale. Then you just install your favorite adblocker software
Even better: you don't need to root it. Assuming its a Google/Nexus device, at least (can't say what other lines might do).
Regular, non-rooted Android can install Adblock Plus from Google's own Play Store.
Chrome can install AdBlock Plus from Google's own Chrome Web Store.
Android, YouTube, etc all work with AdBlock. Google does not prevent or hinder you from using AdBlock, no hacking required.
posted by wildcrdj at 10:23 PM on February 26, 2013
Even better: you don't need to root it. Assuming its a Google/Nexus device, at least (can't say what other lines might do).
Regular, non-rooted Android can install Adblock Plus from Google's own Play Store.
Chrome can install AdBlock Plus from Google's own Chrome Web Store.
Android, YouTube, etc all work with AdBlock. Google does not prevent or hinder you from using AdBlock, no hacking required.
posted by wildcrdj at 10:23 PM on February 26, 2013
Interesting, recent change it seems. Last time I tried it on Android it worked. It does sound like its not totally blocked, but definitely not as easy as before. AdBlock on Chrome outside Android still works normally including on ChromeOS.
posted by wildcrdj at 10:48 PM on February 26, 2013
posted by wildcrdj at 10:48 PM on February 26, 2013
Honestly, most of you should go read the developer's docs that have been released before going off on what this will and won't do.
I don't think most of us are responding to the current abilities of the device. There are some obvious paths forward for the technology, and it's probably better to talk about them now rather than later...
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:53 PM on February 26, 2013
I don't think most of us are responding to the current abilities of the device. There are some obvious paths forward for the technology, and it's probably better to talk about them now rather than later...
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 10:53 PM on February 26, 2013
So there's a screen that gets projected, right? I'm curious how this will work, as I can't focus so close to my eyeball. And I certainly can't focus that close and wherever I'm looking, *at the same time*
I couldn't help notice that the dude demoing the Thing kept looking up and to the right the entire time he was interacting with it. It looked very uncomfortable.
Anyways, I can't until there's a bar full of people looking uncomfortably to the upper right hand side of their field of vision, and not talking to anyone, except yelling things at this, "Glass" guy. I'll stop going to that bar, too.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:35 PM on February 26, 2013
I couldn't help notice that the dude demoing the Thing kept looking up and to the right the entire time he was interacting with it. It looked very uncomfortable.
Anyways, I can't until there's a bar full of people looking uncomfortably to the upper right hand side of their field of vision, and not talking to anyone, except yelling things at this, "Glass" guy. I'll stop going to that bar, too.
posted by alex_skazat at 11:35 PM on February 26, 2013
CrystalDave: "Metafilter: Lots of Us Hate Bodies
Bring on the mind uploads & body sleeving!
(Plus, y'know, why just know something about the world when you could know something about the world, and know a little bit of everything about the world!)
But then again, I'm sure that's not an issue for some people. I'd love to have had the time to learn constellations in both hemispheres, spectral data on every naked-eye object, leaf identification for multiple continents, the history behind every statue or public work of note, basic conversational knowledge of several languages, etc. (As well as knowing the tools of whichever trade you're in)
As for me, I'll learn what I can about the world, sure, but I see no reason not to try to learn more while I'm at it.
Though I think I just realized a great idea for this/one of its incarnations: Programming reference. That way I could pull up documentation for a function without having to switch focus."
I was rather thinking of electronic/PC repair. So, when you've got that damn whatever card from Crazy Bernie's PCI Shack in someone's machine, just being able to peek in and do a hands-free google on the FCC ID would be awesome.
posted by Samizdata at 11:50 PM on February 26, 2013
Bring on the mind uploads & body sleeving!
(Plus, y'know, why just know something about the world when you could know something about the world, and know a little bit of everything about the world!)
But then again, I'm sure that's not an issue for some people. I'd love to have had the time to learn constellations in both hemispheres, spectral data on every naked-eye object, leaf identification for multiple continents, the history behind every statue or public work of note, basic conversational knowledge of several languages, etc. (As well as knowing the tools of whichever trade you're in)
As for me, I'll learn what I can about the world, sure, but I see no reason not to try to learn more while I'm at it.
Though I think I just realized a great idea for this/one of its incarnations: Programming reference. That way I could pull up documentation for a function without having to switch focus."
I was rather thinking of electronic/PC repair. So, when you've got that damn whatever card from Crazy Bernie's PCI Shack in someone's machine, just being able to peek in and do a hands-free google on the FCC ID would be awesome.
posted by Samizdata at 11:50 PM on February 26, 2013
roystgnr: "
A few decades of that and "You should be able to walk down a dark alley naked without fear" might become a positive statement, not just a normative statement."
I WANT to live in that neighborhood. PLEEEEEEEEEEZE?
posted by Samizdata at 11:51 PM on February 26, 2013
I'm not sure that walking down the street with $1500 attached to your face is smart.Add some decent bandwidth to these, so that their video can be cached on your home computer along with the glasses themselves, and walking down the street without worrying about robbery may someday be a whole lot smarter. Criminal careers may have a much shorter halflife in a world where assault reports look less like "Be on the lookout for a tall caucasian male in a grey sweatshirt" and more like face_recognition_databases.criminal_suspects.add("high_res_mugger_closeup.jpg").
A few decades of that and "You should be able to walk down a dark alley naked without fear" might become a positive statement, not just a normative statement."
I WANT to live in that neighborhood. PLEEEEEEEEEEZE?
posted by Samizdata at 11:51 PM on February 26, 2013
Interesting, recent change it seems. Last time I tried it on Android it worked. It does sound like its not totally blocked, but definitely not as easy as before.
In fairness, allowing any app with the internet permission to do proxy stuff was a severe security risk; Android should at least have a separate proxy permission.
posted by jaduncan at 11:51 PM on February 26, 2013
In fairness, allowing any app with the internet permission to do proxy stuff was a severe security risk; Android should at least have a separate proxy permission.
posted by jaduncan at 11:51 PM on February 26, 2013
Er, what? It has WiFi. The article specifically mentions this, plus how else would it do stuff?
It's a reference to an embarrassing old slashdot post panning the new iPod.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 12:20 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's a reference to an embarrassing old slashdot post panning the new iPod.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 12:20 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm sure variations on the "bad news Wesley Crusher/good news Ashley Judd" jokes have already been made to death already, though I'm surprised it didn't happen here yet.
"JJ Abrams/permanent personal lens flares!" maybe?
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 1:58 AM on February 27, 2013
"JJ Abrams/permanent personal lens flares!" maybe?
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 1:58 AM on February 27, 2013
"I call it the Opti-Grab!"
posted by ShutterBun at 2:07 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by ShutterBun at 2:07 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
I spent the biggest chunk of my workday today with FTD tech support. It took us three attempts to get the porno spam virus off my work computer today.
...
You have florist porn on your computer, St Alia?
You just made me imagine Merlin Olsen, wearing nothing but a smile and a strategically-placed Pick-Me-Up Bouquet.
posted by Strange Interlude at 6:02 AM on February 27, 2013
...
You have florist porn on your computer, St Alia?
You just made me imagine Merlin Olsen, wearing nothing but a smile and a strategically-placed Pick-Me-Up Bouquet.
posted by Strange Interlude at 6:02 AM on February 27, 2013
Ok, glass: back and to the left. Back and to the left. Back and to the left.
posted by ryoshu at 6:03 AM on February 27, 2013
posted by ryoshu at 6:03 AM on February 27, 2013
This is just a silver catsuit shy of a Seven of Nine costume.
posted by she's not there at 6:17 AM on February 27, 2013
posted by she's not there at 6:17 AM on February 27, 2013
This is just a silver catsuit shy of a Seven of Nine costume.
Needs more uniboob.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:27 AM on February 27, 2013
Needs more uniboob.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:27 AM on February 27, 2013
I got to try a pair of these on in September, and what I think people are missing about the "watching porn on the street" thing, is that, at least with the prototypes at that time (and it looks like from the recent pictures), the image is projected into your eye through some sort of transparent prism-ish thingy (not an optics expert) that makes it fairly easy for other people to see what you are looking at, though small and squinty-like.
Not saying this will keep people from watching porn on them, but it will make it substantially more creepy with the flickering skin colored blobs in front of peoples eyes.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 7:08 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
Not saying this will keep people from watching porn on them, but it will make it substantially more creepy with the flickering skin colored blobs in front of peoples eyes.
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 7:08 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
During the course of reading the comments I have wobbled between enthusiasm and disgust for the device probably five times. If history is any guide, this tells me that no one who hasn't used this for weeks on end has any inkling what this all means and the final verdict is likely somewhere between euphoria and doom.
posted by dgran at 7:30 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by dgran at 7:30 AM on February 27, 2013 [2 favorites]
It seems unlikely to me that "All video footage captured through Glass." as claimed here actually means what you're seeing with the overlay is what a human would see using their eyes with it on their face. I'm pretty sure they're talking about the skydiving/ballet/whatever video itself, not the overlay, which appears simulated.
Also, I reiterate: 64% of people can't use it with their existing glasses. That's a larger-than-normal fuck-you to anybody not in their target market, and Google usually does ever so slightly better than Apple at inclusiveness, much to their credit.
To be clear, I want this. I'm not shitting on it sheerly for the sake of sour grapes, I'm deeply sad that the tech they've got ignores the people who would benefit most from something like this: low vision users. Who are a majority.
posted by abulafa at 7:45 AM on February 27, 2013
Also, I reiterate: 64% of people can't use it with their existing glasses. That's a larger-than-normal fuck-you to anybody not in their target market, and Google usually does ever so slightly better than Apple at inclusiveness, much to their credit.
To be clear, I want this. I'm not shitting on it sheerly for the sake of sour grapes, I'm deeply sad that the tech they've got ignores the people who would benefit most from something like this: low vision users. Who are a majority.
posted by abulafa at 7:45 AM on February 27, 2013
I'm torn between "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY" and "ALL OF MY WANT". Someone's mentioned it already, but I seriously want to pair one of these with a MYO and see what kind of uses I can come up with.
One hyperspecific example: the main library of King's College London is not so much a library as a rat maze that happens to contain books, largely due to its origin as a 19th-century office building and fireproof records repository. Finding a book in there is tedious at best.
If I could put together a Glass app that would take a given shelfmark, determine if that particular book is checked in and where in the library it is, then project a trail for me to follow to the right shelf, I would be a happy, happy man.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:46 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
One hyperspecific example: the main library of King's College London is not so much a library as a rat maze that happens to contain books, largely due to its origin as a 19th-century office building and fireproof records repository. Finding a book in there is tedious at best.
If I could put together a Glass app that would take a given shelfmark, determine if that particular book is checked in and where in the library it is, then project a trail for me to follow to the right shelf, I would be a happy, happy man.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 7:46 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
First think I went looking for is the Strange Days and Snow Crash references. Satisfied on that front.
The people who are saying that because they use glasses they can't use these, I give it about two years after they are out before they are incorporated into glasses frames for sale at the store for a tremendous markup.
I wonder if miniaturization technology will ever get this onto even smaller interfaces. I don't know enough about how the eye focuses to know if this as contacts would ever work, but I was reminded of this movie. (Minus the creepy ending- I still think that part is unnecessary.)
posted by Hactar at 8:34 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
The people who are saying that because they use glasses they can't use these, I give it about two years after they are out before they are incorporated into glasses frames for sale at the store for a tremendous markup.
I wonder if miniaturization technology will ever get this onto even smaller interfaces. I don't know enough about how the eye focuses to know if this as contacts would ever work, but I was reminded of this movie. (Minus the creepy ending- I still think that part is unnecessary.)
posted by Hactar at 8:34 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
I saw the MYO yesterday and it strikes me as the ultimate, next-gen brotion sensing platform.
No. Just no.
posted by ryoshu at 8:58 AM on February 27, 2013
No. Just no.
posted by ryoshu at 8:58 AM on February 27, 2013
I don't know about the MYO--seems too obtrusive--but a couple rings that would let me press/tap/rub two fingers together (or alternately against the thumb) for control of the glass interface (or maybe just one that would let me do the same by curling the fingertip against the palm) would be good. All you really need is scrolling motions, click and double click (but obviously you could come up with a lot more).
It really needs to be unobtrusive. That should be the overriding design goal with this stuff.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:56 AM on February 27, 2013
It really needs to be unobtrusive. That should be the overriding design goal with this stuff.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:56 AM on February 27, 2013
I feel the same way about these goggles as I do about people who I see walking through the Magic Kingdom, or wandering around the zoo or at a wedding with a video camera or their cell phone in front of their faces the whole time (a few people commented on viewing concerts through their cell phones, yes, like that)...I feel sad for these people. That they don't know how to just enjoy the moments in front of them WHILE THEY ARE HAPPENING and instead choose to view it through a lens in the hope that viewing it later will capture the memory forever. This is why, in my mind, Bon Jovi smiled right at me during the concert and my cellulite magically disappeared when I walked down the beach. I have nothing on file to prove otherwise.
posted by Kokopuff at 10:49 AM on February 27, 2013
posted by Kokopuff at 10:49 AM on February 27, 2013
For Immediate Release: Microsoft Announces "Microsoft Pane" to Compete with Google Glass
The release and responses basically write themselves from there.
posted by that's candlepin at 11:41 AM on February 27, 2013
The release and responses basically write themselves from there.
posted by that's candlepin at 11:41 AM on February 27, 2013
Also, I reiterate: 64% of people can't use it with their existing glasses.
Well, I haven't found anyone besides Vision Council with those numbers. All the other sources I found said numbers like 51%, or 170 million people, or 150 million. So it's still high, but look at it this way - spectacle usage goes up rapidly with age [no cite there], and the target market for this is 100% not starting with pensioners, so to pull numbers out of the air maybe 25% of the 18-34yo tech early adopter wears glasses? That's a very different percentage of their audience and one probably worth ignoring for now.
I have a hell of a dog in this race, I can't see a foot without my glasses and I can't wear contact lenses continuously any more, but I fully expect that it'll be available on prescription lenses within a few years and I think it would be stunningly foolish of them to hold off on the whole product until they can do that.
posted by jacalata at 11:53 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Well, I haven't found anyone besides Vision Council with those numbers. All the other sources I found said numbers like 51%, or 170 million people, or 150 million. So it's still high, but look at it this way - spectacle usage goes up rapidly with age [no cite there], and the target market for this is 100% not starting with pensioners, so to pull numbers out of the air maybe 25% of the 18-34yo tech early adopter wears glasses? That's a very different percentage of their audience and one probably worth ignoring for now.
I have a hell of a dog in this race, I can't see a foot without my glasses and I can't wear contact lenses continuously any more, but I fully expect that it'll be available on prescription lenses within a few years and I think it would be stunningly foolish of them to hold off on the whole product until they can do that.
posted by jacalata at 11:53 AM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a computer know it for you!
Wait, what? It's a method of finding out about the world--no different from looking up star charts in a book, except that it works rather more efficiently. You might as well rage against someone reading an introduction to astronomy book: "just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a book know it for you!"
posted by yoink at 12:14 PM on February 27, 2013 [3 favorites]
Wait, what? It's a method of finding out about the world--no different from looking up star charts in a book, except that it works rather more efficiently. You might as well rage against someone reading an introduction to astronomy book: "just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a book know it for you!"
posted by yoink at 12:14 PM on February 27, 2013 [3 favorites]
"just imagine, looking up and actually knowing something about the fucking world without having a book know it for you!"
See Aristotle, in fact.
posted by jaduncan at 1:40 PM on February 27, 2013
See Aristotle, in fact.
posted by jaduncan at 1:40 PM on February 27, 2013
The most important aspect of these is that they'll give you superior masculine powers.
You too ladies. Right now, you're emasculated -- but for $1500, masculinity awaits! Yarr!
posted by aramaic at 2:39 PM on February 27, 2013
You too ladies. Right now, you're emasculated -- but for $1500, masculinity awaits! Yarr!
posted by aramaic at 2:39 PM on February 27, 2013
I’m still trying to get over the part where he fawns on and on about how great the design is and tries to pretend they don’t look godawful and stupid. I think someone has a crush on the designer.
posted by bongo_x at 3:04 PM on February 27, 2013
posted by bongo_x at 3:04 PM on February 27, 2013
Google up some photos of Steve Mann and then decide if these things look like shit. Because relative to the functional alternatives, they look pretty good.
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on February 27, 2013
posted by GuyZero at 3:05 PM on February 27, 2013
Because relative to the functional alternatives, they look pretty good.
That is totally true, but that is a different thing. Compared to wearing a ham on your head it looks pretty good too. "Not as stupid looking" and "not stupid looking" are not the same.
posted by bongo_x at 4:43 PM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
That is totally true, but that is a different thing. Compared to wearing a ham on your head it looks pretty good too. "Not as stupid looking" and "not stupid looking" are not the same.
posted by bongo_x at 4:43 PM on February 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
See Aristotle, in fact.
It was Plato/Socrates that was opposed to writing.
posted by empath at 5:47 PM on February 27, 2013
It was Plato/Socrates that was opposed to writing.
posted by empath at 5:47 PM on February 27, 2013
I have a functional alternative that looks fine. I keep it in my pocket most of the time and it is only visible to others when I decide that the need for it and the social situation is such that it's warranted. Then I look at it, use it, and put it back. It works fine with my current eyeglasses prescription and I don't have to talk out loud to it for it to work. I don't see what the genuine benefit of a Google Glass is over my iPhone at this point.
You use it differently than everyone; I take my iPhone out of my pocket the second I'm away from some stationary computer and it rarely goes back in.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 7:02 PM on February 27, 2013
You use it differently than everyone; I take my iPhone out of my pocket the second I'm away from some stationary computer and it rarely goes back in.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 7:02 PM on February 27, 2013
I think that source is saying that only 19% wear glasses for nearsightedness, which is the main case this would impact. Reading glasses and this seem pretty mutually exclusive in where you would use them.
posted by smackfu at 12:46 PM on February 28, 2013
posted by smackfu at 12:46 PM on February 28, 2013
The dark side of Google Glass.
Those things will have the theoretical capability to record everything the user sees and hears - all to be upload to Google's servers and possibly indexed in real time.
Welcome to the future.
posted by COD at 6:58 AM on March 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Those things will have the theoretical capability to record everything the user sees and hears - all to be upload to Google's servers and possibly indexed in real time.
Welcome to the future.
posted by COD at 6:58 AM on March 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Doesn't your Android smartphone have that same theoretical capability?
posted by smackfu at 7:58 AM on March 1, 2013
posted by smackfu at 7:58 AM on March 1, 2013
In other Google news: Google Says the FBI Is Secretly Spying on Some of Its Customers
posted by homunculus at 9:52 PM on March 5, 2013
posted by homunculus at 9:52 PM on March 5, 2013
It was Plato/Socrates that was opposed to writing.
Yes, so it was. Whoops.
posted by jaduncan at 10:11 PM on March 5, 2013
Yes, so it was. Whoops.
posted by jaduncan at 10:11 PM on March 5, 2013
This is the Modem World: The dark side of Google Glass
posted by homunculus at 5:25 PM on March 6, 2013
posted by homunculus at 5:25 PM on March 6, 2013
He wakes up with a sudden start. As he does so his glasses whir into life. The man stretches his arms out. “Eeeeuuuuhhhh,” he says. His eyes flick back and forth. He’s looking at something, but we can’t see what it is; it doesn’t exist. There’s a strange unfocused aspect to them. They’re the eyes of a shaman, a prophet, the unblinking eyes of a madman, the staring eyes of a corpse. As he makes coffee his head lolls around and around. He can’t focus on anything. “Hng,” he says. He stands by a window for a while, looking but not seeing. “Gnunng,” he says. Then, shambling, eyes darting, he sets off into the world.
As he walks various grunts plop from his mouth. “Mmmng,” he says at a lamppost. “Hnuh,” he proclaims to an empty subway station. “Hueergh,” he tells a dog.
posted by codacorolla at 9:35 PM on March 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
As he walks various grunts plop from his mouth. “Mmmng,” he says at a lamppost. “Hnuh,” he proclaims to an empty subway station. “Hueergh,” he tells a dog.
posted by codacorolla at 9:35 PM on March 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
Google Glass app identifies you by your fashion sense
posted by homunculus at 7:26 PM on March 8, 2013
posted by homunculus at 7:26 PM on March 8, 2013
Bugger. Was just going to make a post, none of my search terms pinged until I checked the tags, so this ads to what homunculus posted:
Google Glass can now pick a person out of crowd based on their fashion style. The system, InSight, developed in partnership with Google, will take a nice little moment to assess the clothing in frame, and then point out exactly where your friends are in busy settings like a bar, concert, or sporting event.
And then there is the Google Glass feature no one is talking about. (via)
I am too lazy to edit it.
posted by Mezentian at 9:15 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Google Glass can now pick a person out of crowd based on their fashion style. The system, InSight, developed in partnership with Google, will take a nice little moment to assess the clothing in frame, and then point out exactly where your friends are in busy settings like a bar, concert, or sporting event.
And then there is the Google Glass feature no one is talking about. (via)
I am too lazy to edit it.
posted by Mezentian at 9:15 AM on March 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Seattle dive bar becomes first to ban Google Glass: Owner says "it's because it's kind of a private place that people go." Will other businesses follow?
posted by homunculus at 12:29 PM on March 9, 2013
posted by homunculus at 12:29 PM on March 9, 2013
Google Glass Ushers in the Next Wave of Cybernetic Hate Crimes
posted by homunculus at 11:36 PM on March 14, 2013
posted by homunculus at 11:36 PM on March 14, 2013
Google Glass Ushers in the Next Wave of Cybernetic Hate Crimes
I remember when this was portrayed in pop culture as the ultimate nightmare. Then a few weirdos tried to actually implement it. I think I will take the side of the haters.
posted by charlie don't surf at 8:33 PM on March 15, 2013
I remember when this was portrayed in pop culture as the ultimate nightmare. Then a few weirdos tried to actually implement it. I think I will take the side of the haters.
posted by charlie don't surf at 8:33 PM on March 15, 2013
11 Kickass Ways Normal People Will Use Google Glass
Thirty-Five Arguments Against Google Glass
posted by homunculus at 7:50 PM on March 18, 2013
Thirty-Five Arguments Against Google Glass
posted by homunculus at 7:50 PM on March 18, 2013
How hard would it be to literally bolt these onto your head?
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 9:10 PM on March 18, 2013
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 9:10 PM on March 18, 2013
How hard would it be to literally bolt these onto your head?
US Patent number: 6557994 — "A frameless glassware assembly attaching to body piercing studs." Don't forget to check out the illustrations. He looks quite fetching, strolling through the sand dunes.
posted by unliteral at 10:52 PM on March 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
US Patent number: 6557994 — "A frameless glassware assembly attaching to body piercing studs." Don't forget to check out the illustrations. He looks quite fetching, strolling through the sand dunes.
posted by unliteral at 10:52 PM on March 18, 2013 [1 favorite]
“Stop the Cyborgs” launches public campaign against Google Glass
posted by homunculus at 11:16 AM on March 23, 2013
posted by homunculus at 11:16 AM on March 23, 2013
Don't Glass and drive -- lawmakers seek to ban Google Glass on the road: West Virginia lawmakers are already pouncing on the existence of Google Glass and introducing a bill that would prohibit drivers from making a spectacle of themselves.
posted by homunculus at 10:34 AM on March 24, 2013
posted by homunculus at 10:34 AM on March 24, 2013
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posted by 2bucksplus at 3:38 PM on February 26, 2013 [5 favorites]