Google Glass has been out in the wild for well over a year now, and although it remains in beta, the search giant recently ditched its invitation policy to allow any wannabe Explorer with a spare $1,500 to join up. The more widespread a product becomes, the likelier it is that its various strengths and flaws will become more obvious and exposed, and apparently, long-term use of the unusually-positioned display can lead to muscle fatigue and general eye pain.
Even with Google Glass suffering something of a PR crisis over the last few months, there's little doubt that the technology is still some of the coolest around. While we have to admit to not being sure where the idea of wearable technology will take us in the coming years, Google should be given credit for being at the forefront of what is possible today.
The Google Glass might be a niche product, both from the usability and price point perspectives, but it seems that this particular niche cannot be satiated by just one competitor. Or, at least, that’s what Epson seems to believe. The company that gained famed via its remarkable printing products has announced the second-generation of its Google Glass competitor – a smart glass christened Moverio BT-200, which can do pretty much everything that Google has on offer and more, for a significantly lower price point.
There has been an ongoing debate since the announcement of Google Glass as to whether the head-mounted gizmo will appeal to the everyday consumer, and one of the major factors that has stopped many folks from testing out so far has been the pricing. At $1,500, the Explorer Edition of Glass doesn't come cheap, but according to a new estimates, the hardware that comprises the face computer costs a total of just $80.
Since its inception and initial enthusiasm, Google Glass has suffered something of a damaged reputation amongst those who don't own it. Becoming, for some, an example of all that is wrong with modern technology and even being used as a symbol of gentrification in San Francisco and surrounding areas that is being placed squarely at Google's feet, Google Glass is currently in the midst of a P.R. crisis.
Up until this point, the Mountain View company has been pretty clear that Glass isn’t a product for everyone - all the way from its high price point to the fact that it was impossible for the masses to get one without an invite. In fact, Google had touted the device to be for explorers primarily - people living their lives on the edge and daring to do what others usually don’t. Well, all of that is changing now, as the Glass Store has been opened to everyone interested in getting their hands on the rather expensive and catchy eyewear!
Google's Glass Project has come along in leaps and bounds over the past year, and even though Team Glass only recently pushed through an update packing some great new features, a couple more have just been added. As revealed in a post on the Project's official Google+ page, there's now SMS support for those on the Apple iPhone, and additionally, the new Calendar Glassware feature allows Explorers to edit, delete and RSVP events from the agenda with ease. Full details can be seen right after the break.
Even though, as time goes on, it's difficult to see exactly where Google Glass will fit into the consumer side of the market, part of us is still glad that the project is in development. Cool and uncool in equal measure, it would seem, it has proven a polarizing topic of debate that every tech fan has, at some point, discussed with their peers. Every so often, an eye-opening development is made in relation to Glass bordering on the bizarre, serving to remind us that we're dealing with a technology that could significantly alter the way we interact with each other and the world around us, and Emotient has certainly done that with its new Sentiment Analysis app.
Google Glass is now on sale for 24 hours only, are you buying it? Take our poll at the bottom of this post and let us know. In order to be able to purchase a Glass headset, the consumer must be a resident of the United States and be legally classed as an adult. Oh, they must also be willing to part with $1,500 plus local sales tax. That bit’s important.
With Google clearly feeling extremely confident about the future of Glass, and with a whole heap of new users likely to come on board, Google has announced that Glass Updates are back. Owners of the powerful Glass headset will be able to update its firmware later this week and receive a number of powerful updates that should boost the overall Glass experience for end-users.
