Google Glass
Google Glass is a brand of smart glasses developed by Alphabet Inc. through its subsidiary Google X, with the intent to offer an augmented reality experience to the user. Here's an overview of its history, features, and the impact it has had:
History
- Launched in April 2012, Google Glass was introduced as part of Google I/O with the concept video showcasing its potential uses.
- The first prototypes were available to developers in 2013, known as the "Explorer Edition," which came with a price tag of $1,500.
- In January 2015, Google Inc. announced that it would stop producing the original Google Glass to redesign it for future releases.
- A new version, Google Glass Enterprise Edition, was released in July 2017, aimed primarily at business and industrial applications.
Features
- Optical Display: A small, high-resolution display is mounted in the lens, allowing the user to see information like texts, emails, and navigation directions in their field of vision.
- Voice Commands: Users can interact with Google Glass using voice commands prefixed by "OK Glass."
- Camera: Equipped with a 5-megapixel camera, it allows users to take photos or record video hands-free.
- Bone Conduction Audio: Audio is transmitted through bone conduction transducers, allowing the user to hear without obstructing their ears.
- Touchpad: Located on the side, it enables touch input for controlling the device.
- Connectivity: Features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity, although the original model did not include cellular data.
Impact and Reception
- Google Glass sparked widespread interest and debate regarding privacy concerns due to its ability to record video surreptitiously.
- It was criticized for its high cost and limited battery life, which were significant barriers to mainstream adoption.
- Despite these issues, Google Glass has found a niche in enterprise environments where its hands-free operation is beneficial, particularly in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
- The technology behind Google Glass has influenced further developments in Augmented Reality and Wearable Computing.
Current Status
- Google Glass continues as an enterprise solution with the Google Glass Enterprise Edition, focusing on productivity tools for businesses.
- While consumer versions have been discontinued, the technology and learnings from Google Glass have been integrated into other Alphabet projects and inspired competitors in the AR/VR space.
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