May 13
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On May 2, a patent was filed with the USPTO for a smart-watch that will potentially include touch-pads, a screen, processor, wireless transceiver and communication abilities. The way it’s wired would essentially allow it to serve as a secondary body computer to Google Glass, or possibly compliment other Google products. While not a guarantee that the smart-watch will come to market, it’s in line with staying competitive with Apple, who are apparently developing an iOS-based watch device of their own.
Although it’s a long way from production and distribution, Google Smartwatch is a clear indicator of where Google is going when it comes to hardware. Moving towards hardware that can easily become integral to a persons’ day-to-day life is pretty ingenious, I have to admit, especially when you read reviews of how Google Glass is changing peoples’ lives. Robert Scoble wrote a of the Google Glass recently, vowing to “…never live a day of my life from now on without it (or one from a competitor). It’s that significant.†And to be fair, it boasts an impressive list of capabilities:
- Time at a glance
- Take photos (prompted by voice command)
- Hands-free video recording (prompted by voice command)
- Sharing video input through Google Hangouts
- Photos and videos are instantly uploaded to your G+ profile
- Get directions via the screen
- Send voice messages
- Send text messages (prompted by voice command)
- Googling information through verbal questions
- Translating foreign languages
- Confirming flight arrivals and departures
- Unlike most Google products, its apps are AD FREE
With all these abilities, Google Glass’ intrinsic benefits are clear. Scoble’s review noted how much easier it is to be social when wearing Google Glass, as you’re not constantly looking down at a device. Combine these abilities with a smartwatch’s processing capabilities, and you will probably be unstoppable. But is it worth it?
One concern that wearable smart devices brings up is the degradation of essential skills. Similar to how our reliance on auto-correct and calculators has impacted our spelling and math abilities, how can we be sure integrating wearable devices won’t degrade our other skills? Why would you bother to learn a language if Google Glass will constantly provide you with a translation? Why develop a sense of direction if Google Glass will do it for you? It’s less of concern when you’re wearing the device, but how will people cope when they can’t? Similar to watching a teen cope without their devices, it’s akin to pulling a fish from water, just to see if it will breathe.
Another is cost: is it worth $500+? Scoble points out that a lower price point is more strategic, which is true. If it’s affordable, people will buy it in droves. However, restricting access through price point can also increase exclusivity and drive demand. Either way, it’ll be a success. It will depend on Google’s strategy, and that’s still very much up in the air.
What about security and privacy concerns? Wearing a device with a microphone and camera could easily breach personal privacy and, seeing as it’s already been hacked and rooted, it’s a possibility. Scoble pointed out that they can be used everywhere, even in the washroom (photo courtesy of Scoble himself):
Google’s current position is that the glasses are ‘still a work in progress’, but are given to professionals to help discover these bugs (and more importantly, write Apps for Glass). There is currently no PIN to protect Glass when it’s not being used, providing a perfect hacking opportunity.
Personally, I’m curious about Glass. I’d like to try it, but I’m not sure I’d want to own one, or even wear it for that long. I like the idea of Glass, but I like my privacy more. Bottom line, it’s up to the user to accept the responsibility and implications of Glass: it’s not Google’s problem if your privacy is compromised, no more than it would be McDonald’s fault for your weight gain if you ate 40 Big Macs in a row. Like anything else, if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, you should probably do it. But it’s up to you, not me and certainly not Google, where to draw that line.
Jim Hedger
Jim Hedger is an organic SEO and digital marketing specialist. Jim has been involved in the online marketing industry since 1998 and a SEO since 1999. Best known as a broadcaster, interviewer, content writer and search industry commentator, Jim is a frequent conference speaker and organizer. He hosts the search focused radio show Webcology on WebmasterRadio.FM and is a WebmasterRadio.FM conference interviewer. Jim brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, passion and creative thinking to each project. Preferring a teamwork approach, Jim strives to inform and train his clients and their staff to run and maintain their own search and social media efforts.
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