Monday, January 19, 2015

Google Glass, Good Riddance

elders react to google glassI have a very unpopular opinion to share, especially on a technically-minded blog: I am so relieved that Google Glass is being shelved for the time being.

I tried to understand Google Glass and the part of my brain that thinks logically knows that I should welcome wearables with open arms. I even talked to Robert Hernandez for a blog post on how he was innovating news apps and news coverage with the hardware. If anyone could get you into Glass, it’s him. I drank the kool-aid, I can see the future.

But the emotional part of my brain was always a little scared of Google Glass and not just because it was basically an invitation to get punched in the face. I’m ok with being a jerk now and again, but I would never want to be a Glasshole.

Google Glass bothers me like Fitbit bothers me. It’s too much information for one human being. I’m too much of a control freak to have all of that data; how will I organize it, where will I store it? What if it breaks?

Maybe I need to attend more CES shows to really get in the mood about wearables. Although the aggression and snark directed at Glass “pioneers” makes me think that everyone is a little nervous about talking to your glasses and browsing the web. The fact that they were so buggy and early adopters were tasked with sharing their issues just made it all the more complicated. Talking into Google Translate or Siri in public is ridiculous enough. I think I’ll be OK with talking to my television in the privacy of my own home. But I just can’t talk to my own face. “Ok, Glass, Google ‘Blake Lively hair tips.'” No one wants to hear that. No one should know I care about that.

I know Google Glass or some iteration of them are coming. And I hope I get a pair, in every sense of the phrase, when they’re ready for us. Until then, I’d rather have some more useful wearable tech. Like an auto-Chanel makeover.

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