New gadgets. We love them. They bring excitement donin the days leading up to their launch and they give us reasons to walk up to strangers and ask them questions in hopes that they'll let us give them a try. The same will hold true for Google Glass when it's released. People will love on it. Eventually, it will fail.
The idea is a strong one. Wearable tech is all the rage right now and this is the closest one can get to having bionic, Terminator-style eyes. It will be reviewed and many bloggers will call it a life-changing, pseudo-religious experience, something that any geek with true nerd cred needs to have on their face at nearly all times. Over time, it will turn out to be a fad. Here's why:
They aren't very useful after the first week
The camera may be useful indefinitely. That all depends on the quality, ease of storage, shakiness, and other factors. Otherwise, the rest is all for show.
They're a little too obnoxious
are
This won't be any different. It may end up being worse. Google Glass will score big points at parties but will stand out like a sore thumb everywhere else just as bluetooth headsets once did. Once people become used to the headsets, they still won't be very accepted. If anything, they'll be shunned even more than bluetooth.
People wearing them will not be trusted by their peers
Even at the office, while people are talking badly about their jobs or bosses, nobody will be able to trust Mr Google Glass Wearing Guy. You never know when he's recording you, after all.
They're most useful where there's limited internet
Glass may be able to store data on mobile devices through bluetooth for upload when WiFi is available, but that sort of takes the fun out of it, doesn't it?
They can't replace anything
In essence, they're an add-on product. They're going to be just another gadget to buy, keep safe, and maintain. Other devices like smartphones and tablets helped to replace something else, but Google Glass does not.
Something better will come along
They simply don't have anywhere to go with them. They will need to be replaced rather than improved and because they are a luxury item, there won't be a ton of people who will be willing to upgrade to the next variation of Glass, whatever it may be. No, they'll look at the next shiny object that comes along that's completely different from Glass, at which time I'll probably write an article similar to this one about that piece of technology.
The first tragic use of Glass will make them uncool
It could be something unintentional like a fatal accident indirectly caused by someone using the hands free components of Google Glass. Distracted driving can happen even when both hands are on the wheel. If there's something on your face taking your attention away from the road, bad things can happen. Unfortunately, it's not like cell phone use that can be witnessed while passing law enforcement. You don't have to have your hand up to your face to operate Google Glass, so trying to discourage its use by writing tickets isn't feasible. Some would say that they could be disconnected when traveling at a speed that indicated car travel, but then passengers would be hampered.
* * *
Google Glass will likely be successful at first. It may continue. It's likely going to fail. Then, we'll get to wait for the iWatch.
