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Google Announces Project Glass

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Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#61

Post by mladenkovacevic »

cwp wrote: post #22

Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."

Ah yes the old "Google is evil ad company" shtick. You see an impressive new technology and this is the only way you can frame it to initiate a discussion??

But actually your scenario sounds plausible if Google was the most ignorant, narrow minded, child-like version of an ad network. If they have any smart people at all working at Google, I think that they would have a much wider, longer-term vision in which they can generate value from more than just bombarding you with ads in the most direct, obvious way possible. If they feel at all compelled to stay relevant and profitable for the longest amount of time possible, then they are working on that right now.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#62

Post by coopdog »

knieveltech wrote: post #48
ryandvm wrote: post #9

I dunno, maybe I'm a Luddite but I don't think the tendency to never be disconnected is good for the human psyche. I know that personally my own mental well being tends to suffer if I don't let myself have considerable stretches of time where I'm not consuming any information. Also, though cool, the video is probably a pretty inaccurate representation of what that tech would actually get used for. It shows some guy g…

The potential for this kind of tech so far exceeds what's being shown in the demo it boggles the mind. The demo itself is pretty depressing: it implies all this tech is destined for is to provide a hands-off interface for phone apps. For an example of real-world uses of AR (that don't involve hipsters or food trucks) check this out: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2009-10/augmented-r...

I think the videos main point is that they're bringing it main stream, as a new multiple times a day tech for the average person

No doubt developers will do some amazing things with it when we finally get some practical hardware

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#63

Post by jrockway »

cwp wrote: post #22

Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."

Just like all the ads you get when installing Chrome or browsing Google Code?

Google does make a lot of money on advertising, but that's because it's impossible to not make money on advertising. Google could literally fire 99% of its employees and we would still make money on ads because it's that easy. You could probably start an ad company today and have a steady income next week. (You need a web server, someone with content to "monetize", and someone with an ad. Pretty simple.)

What's hard is figuring out how to make money once the easiest source of money dries up. (It's sort of like why we don't have solar-powered cars yet: because burning decomposed dinosaurs is so easy that any attempt to do something else seems impossible.) Future products you see from Google will be less about advertising and more about something else. That's why we have web browsers and open source projects and self-driving cars and space elevators. Try everything, see what makes us more money than advertising, then do more stuff like that.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#64

Post by jrockway »

furyofantares wrote: post #59
joezydeco wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, you're immediately setting up your product for a negative reception. People expect all the cool stuff and tight integration shown in the concept video. If you can't deliver that...

Huh, I thought the video was actually really depressing except for two features: taking a picture to send to my friends, and sharing a stream of what I'm looking in a video call. I guess I don't really see the value of putting apps in my eyes. But I do see a ton of value in sharing my eyes and having people share their eyes with me.

I see the value. For example, I like to monitor my heart rate and speed while running. To do that, I have to move my hand out of ideal running form and look at my watch. With a wearable display, I can continue looking straight ahead to check on my information. Same goes for maps while driving or walking around.

I think a wearable computer that seamless integrates with me will be like having a friend that's always around. If you've ever asked someone, "oh, do we turn left here", then you have a use for a computer that can answer the same question.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#65

Post by jrockway »

thereallurch wrote: post #56
cwp wrote: post #22

Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."

It'll be only a matter of time before it's rooted and running AdBlock. :)

It's worth noting that Google devices typically do not need to be rooted. For example, Chromebooks have a switch you flip if you want root. (And, Google even advertises AdBlock in the Chrome Web Store. So it's not certain that you will be forced to see ads in Glass.)

It's the cell-phone carriers (or OEMs) that want to sell you non-rooted devices, and that's a battle even Apple hasn't won.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#68

Post by FrojoS »

jrockway wrote: post #64
furyofantares wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh, I thought the video was actually really depressing except for two features: taking a picture to send to my friends, and sharing a stream of what I'm looking in a video call. I guess I don't really see the value of putting apps in my eyes. But I do see a ton of value in sharing my eyes and having people share their eyes with me.

I see the value. For example, I like to monitor my heart rate and speed while running. To do that, I have to move my hand out of ideal running form and look at my watch. With a wearable display, I can continue looking straight ahead to check on my information. Same goes for maps while driving or walking around. I think a wearable computer that seamless integrates with me will be like having a friend that's always aro…

I just saw a jogger this sunday, who had an acoustical feedback of his pulse. Zurich, Switzerland. Might be an immediate solution to your problem.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#69

Post by joezydeco »

knieveltech wrote: post #49
hcarvalhoalves wrote: post #25

Great. Now we'll have Google Ads projected into our retinas.

Personally I'm holding out hope that Google collectively has enough sense not to torpedo this exciting new technology by turning it into a wearable AR billboard system. While I could totally see voluntary opt-in for merchant ad displays while walking around in downtown, I'm pretty sure it would have to be voluntary. I'm optimistic that Google realizes they aren't going to be able to get away with anything more invasi…

It doesn't need to be an active system. Google could monetize the hell out of it just by showing advertisers how effective their billboards, posters, and audio commercials are in the environment through passive collection.

Re: Google Announces Project Glass

#70

Post by TeMPOraL »

thereallurch wrote: post #56
cwp wrote: post #22

Very cool. Except... They forgot to show the "Ukulele $350" ad that pops up when he looks at the book. Also, "Monsieur Gayno Boxed Set - $24.95", "Feet hurt? Try walking shoes from Reebok!" and "John Smith for Mayor! I'll make the trains run on time."

It'll be only a matter of time before it's rooted and running AdBlock. :)

With an additional feature of blocking real-life ads on billboards & stuff :). I'd die to get that one.
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