Bob Schukai from Thomson Reuters popped in to the BBC Blue Room this week to give an intriguing demo of Google Glass, at the invitation of Marc Settle from BBC Academy,
Bob was one of the 8000 lucky people who tweeted #ifihadglass to get hold a pair for user testing at a hefty price tag of $1500.
I must admit I was rather excited about trying on Glass and they were on my head within about 5 seconds of Bob walking through the Blue Room doors.
Lindsey wearing Google Glass
With a heads-up display in the corner of the right eye, and a touch pad for control running from temple to ear, it’s simple to use. I tap once to wake-up the device and the first thing I see are a list of commands. I call out ‘OK Glass’ which brings up a further list of options – take a picture / take a video / find directions to / Google search… And I’m off, wandering around the Broadcast Centre capturing images, checking the weather and locating my local tapas bar. I’m won over.
Holding Google Glass
Glass has simplicity in design and navigation, an ease of capturing and sharing and simple commands and taps to navigate through information. It’s also compatible with iOS and Blackberry.
We ask Bob who has been using Glass extensively over the last few months about the reactions he’s been getting from the public. So far he says, people have been inquisitive, positive and mostly wanting to try them on.
David Thair wearing Google Glass in the Blue Room.
It will be intriguing to see if and when Google make them available on a consumer level. At the moment the challenges are around security, privacy, battery life and the limited number of apps.
In an earlier Google Glass session at new Broadcasting House Rory Cellan-Jones asked Bob if he sees them as a valid news tool - if it’s realistic to shoot video content on Glass when you can’t frame your shots. Who knows, potentially there could be a greater uptake within user generated content. Whichever it is, there are definitely opportunities for both content and consumption and as Glass evolves, new and interesting ways of use will emerge.
I’m wondering how long it will be before the word ‘glasshole’ enters our vocabulary from across the pond.
For more updates on what we showcase in the Blue Room follow @BBCBlueRoom.
Lindsey Suter in a Consumer Technologist in the BBC Blue Room
Google glass in the Blue Room