Google Glass future clouded as some early believers lose faith
Reuters is reporting a drop in usage of Google Glass. Turns out:After two years of popping up at high-profile events sporting Google Glass, the gadget that transforms eyeglasses into spy-movie worthy technology, Google co-founder Sergey Brin sauntered bare-faced into a Silicon Valley red-carpet event on Sunday.Google Glass may be losing its mojo as users struggle to accept obviously creepy spy aspects of the new technology. A quick Google search turns up things like:
- TechCrunch: MPAA Bans Google Glass And Other Wearable Cameras From Movie Theaters
- Mew York Post: The revolt against Google 'Glassholes'
- Gizmodo: Is Google Glass Dying?
While Glass may find some specialized, even lucrative, uses in the workplace, its prospects of becoming a consumer hit in the near future are slim, many developers say.[Author note: My personal experience? Google Glass is a difficult market even for business developers. As freelancing software developer I asked several of my customers what they think about possible Google Glass solutions. I pointed out some ideas how Google Glass could be used to benefit their business. Though the ideas were generally well received, they usually were answered with: Sounds very good, perhaps in the future. We are watching Google Glass. We thought about it ourselves, but don't think that at this point the necessary investments will pay off.
Of 16 Glass app makers contacted by Reuters, nine said that they had stopped work on their projects or abandoned them, mostly because of the lack of customers or limitations of the device. Three more have switched to developing for business, leaving behind consumer projects.
My advice to Google? Cut the price. For $150 I'd take the risk. Many nerd developers would. Google Glass needs a better reputation and a few killer apps. Only Google has the money and interest to improve the reputation of Google Glass. To find a killer app, it needs an as large as possible developer base. One does not get the latter with a $1500 product with a questionable future.]
[edited 2014-11-17 15:01 GMT: inauspicious, not auspicious]
But I can see a market for dedicated driving glasses that incorporate infrared sensors (to see pedestrians and wild animals at night), anti-glare magic (for oncoming headlights), maybe software-assisted highlighting of lane markers and roadsigns. Probably lots of other cool stuff. This would be great for people who are scared of driving at night because of night blindness or extra glare from cataract surgery. Maybe use the GG software platform but tailor them to driving and hit a $299 price point. Then you just keep a pair in your car for much safer night driving and don't have to worry about looking like a fool for wearing them while walking around the street/school/office.
Maybe you could even market a "professional" version at a higher price point for truck drivers that includes additional features that would be useful for that application (not sure what those are, but I'm sure there are some -- connection to the CB radio or dispatch office, maybe).