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Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

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Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#31
post #4

My bet is on Google Glass going the way of the Segway... ...that is to say, ridiculed by the general public, but finding a bit of a niche in certain industries. The police, postal carriers, etc. @cstross did a pretty good job of convincing me that some form of augmented reality would be very useful for the police. There is a real-life push right now to get police wearing cameras too, I think this sort of device could…

If Southpark does an episode on Google Glass that's anywhere near as hilarious and insightful as their Segway episode "The Entity" -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Entity_(South_Park) -- then it's doomed! Matt and Trey's commentary on The Entity: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WweVv41qQpc -- "Well, I guess you don't HAVE to do that..." -- Full episode: http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s05e11-the-ent...

"IT" can go up to two hundred miles per hour, gets three hundred miles to the gallon, and is an all-around better mode of travel. The only problem is that "IT" is controlled by a quite painful and uncomfortable method; using four "flexi-grip handles" that somewhat resemble erect penises; two held in the hands, one in the mouth, and a fourth handle which is inserted into the anus. It also transpires that the vehicle can be operated with buttons too, making the phallus-like controls an unnecessary discomfort. Garrison invites many important investors such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Yasmine Bleeth to see how "IT" works. Despite this unorthodox control mechanism (which is uncomfortable to the citizens of South Park), "IT" is still considered better than the airlines and Garrison is a smashing success.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#32
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That would help, but I am not confident that it could be made as socially acceptable as for example smartphones. I wonder if a classic-style cameraless HUD could alleviate some of the social issues while still retaining enough of the functionality. I mean it'd still take a certain kind of person to wear it, but people who wouldn't wear it who are actively angry at / frightened of Google Glass, rather than merely in…

Removing the camera (+mic) would certainly fix the creepiness for me. Even then, it's still a bit of a problem. The person I'm talking to could just be looking at their Google Glass. It provides a new way to be obnoxious and self-centered, which sadly many people will take. Truthfully, my willpower isn't that great. I might be one of them if I had Google Glass.

Removing the camera (+mic) would certainly fix the creepiness for me - and make the problem you mention in the next sentence worse. Having a screen in front of your eyes 24/7 can only distract people. Having a camera and mic on it enable you to interact with your surroundings; and while not all apps will use them, it changes the focus and center of the device - thereby changing the way people interact with it.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#33
post #4

My bet is on Google Glass going the way of the Segway... ...that is to say, ridiculed by the general public, but finding a bit of a niche in certain industries. The police, postal carriers, etc. @cstross did a pretty good job of convincing me that some form of augmented reality would be very useful for the police. There is a real-life push right now to get police wearing cameras too, I think this sort of device could…

I think if someone can succeed at putting similar technology in normal looking glasses it will have a much better chance of success, otherwise I agree.

How hard can it be to just stick them in some aviators? Plenty of people would be after a pair of those. You could be half geek and half Lou Reed circa Street Hassle.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#34

1. Has to have a light to indicate recording, or everyone around you will be paranoid. (Most people will still be paranoid, but at least you can say "No red light, it's not recording!"). 2. Will probably be very popular as a cyclist camera. Cyclist who just want a decent 720p camera to record cycling activity (evidence against dangerous drivers), but don't want to attach a dorky camera to their head (i.e. GoPro), wil…

This whole light thing seems a bit out of proportion, like being paranoid of people wearing shades in case they are eyeing you up (which is more than half the reason anyone wears them in the first place).

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#35
post #20

Something about the authors writing style just rubs me the wrong way. Kinda like an advert that was carefully crafted by a team with the sole purpose of triggering a specific emotion. That being said, I did actually learn something from that wall of text: The fact that Glass needs to be specifically fitted to the wearer is definitely problematic. I'm curious how G will work around that from a logistical PoV.

I'm in a Chinese airport minus VPN, so I can't read the article to see what he means by fitting it - but in my experience it takes <20 seconds to adjust the nosepiece for a new person. Very small problem compared to the general issue of looking like a cyborg, IMO.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same usual mistake: Google Glass is NOT a proper HUD (Heads Up Display), or a proper form of Augmented Reality. It doesn't project anything on the main vision area, but only on the little screen on the upper right side.

...which is its advantage. I doesn't take up your full viewing space, but puts the information right in front of you.

That's no advantage at all. A real AR HUD wouldn't need to 'take up your full viewing space' but could place information where it was relevant.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#37

1. Has to have a light to indicate recording, or everyone around you will be paranoid. (Most people will still be paranoid, but at least you can say "No red light, it's not recording!"). 2. Will probably be very popular as a cyclist camera. Cyclist who just want a decent 720p camera to record cycling activity (evidence against dangerous drivers), but don't want to attach a dorky camera to their head (i.e. GoPro), wil…

As if the NSA won't be able to turn on the camera and microphone any time they want, without turning on the warning light. Riiiiiight.

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#39

I find it amusing that he uses G+ to write about it. I agree that cost is important. $500 is probably way too high, considering what $500 buys in fun gadgets. They should also have a visible light to indicate when the camera is active.

I find it amusing that he uses G+ to write about it. Why? Scoble's been very active on G+ since it was made public. Too active, if you've got him in your Circles. I eventually shunted him to a "Voluble" circle I'd check periodically, relying more on his better posts to appear when forwarded to my Stream. When he's good, he's really, really good, but typically also critical, mostly he's just average but with the hyper…

a "Voluble" circle

:-D

Re: Scoble says Google Glass is doomed

#40
post #10

He proclaimed it the next big thing just 8 months ago. https://plus.google.com/+Scobleizer/posts/ZLV9GdmkRzS Then, he is wrong often. http://odonnellweb.com/pelican/posts/2013/Apr/google-glass-i...

I called Scoble a narcissistic douchebag eight months ago (Get it? Shower == Douche! ;). But I've known that ever since he live video blogged from in line to buy the first iPhone with a webcam attached to his trucker's cap. He replied "thank you", and then claimed that he found my criticism quite motivating (the psychological term for that effect is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissistic_supply ), before he blocked me. https://www.facebook.com/RobertScoble/posts/1015157966444465...

The Yes Men hit upon what Google Glass is really all about -- the Managerial Leisure Suit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj-gisszHM0 -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_dg6V8pQGo

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