With the popularity of AI and AR on the rise over the last few years, AI and VR tech has only got more and more popular amongst big brands like Apple and Samsung, who have been beginning to incorporate it into their latest mobile phone launches. One example of recent ai technology is the Humane Pin, a new form of AI smart tech released where users can wear the pin on their clothing and use it like a virtual personal assistant without the screen.
Over the recent years, there has been plenty of talk about AI and AR, but did you know AR tech has been around a lot longer than you realised? In this blog, we explore the long-lost, unknown gem, which was Google Glass, explaining how it kick-started artificial intelligence tech and why it was a Google Glass failure.
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What does Google Glass actually do?
Google Glass was a wearable, voice-motion-controlled device from Android which resembled a pair of smart glasses and displayed information in users’ direct field of vision. To operate, the tech used audio, visual and location-based inputs to deliver information and perform specific features. The eyewear uses AI systems and recognition to process commands from the user, sporting a small touchpad where the micro projector would send information straight to the wearer from the tech's smart glasses display. All this information would then be displayed on the lens, so the viewer could see the images in true colour in the real world. Along with this, built into the glasses was a 5MP camera with Bluetooth connectivity and HDR.
Originally, when the prototype was released, complaints were made that the tech was an invasion of privacy as people could walk around filming the public without anyone knowing, however after the prototype was released to ‘Glass Explorers’, it finally hit public stores in May 2014. The product didn’t perform as expected though and in 2015, not even a year after its debut, it was pulled off the market.
There were talks of the product making a return in 2017 but the whole project ended up falling through. So what went wrong?
What could Google Glass do?
- Take photos and videos
- Use Google search engines
- Prompt notifications
- Receive reminders of events/meetings when synced with the calendar
- Answer calls and texts
- Google Maps set up
Why did Google drop Google Glass?
Originally, Google Glass seemed like a strong contender in the market, it certainly was unusual and the hype around it was enough to assume the product would be successful. Competing with the iPhone 6, Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPad Mini 3 which were all released in 2014, the tech had a lot to live up to to ensure it didn’t get overshadowed. But overall it was a Google Glass failure. Considering how advanced Google Glass was in 2014, it didn’t meet any needs of a specific target audience, very few people understood what Google Glass was and those who did assume they weren’t the target market so sales ended up being extremely low.
Another key reason it wasn’t successful was the fact all the features the device provided (like Google Maps, search engines and notifications) could easily be accessed on a phone or other tech. On top of this, the rumour of Google Glass being an invasion of privacy since people could be filmed without consent, put a lot of people off so it ended up being pulled.
Unfortunately, despite the hype and anticipation the product had when it was released, no one remembers it being discontinued and no one certainly missed it, its removal from the market was not an emotional one.
What is the potential of wearable technology?
Besides its short run, Google Glass still provided in the way of helping to improve the tech industry. It pioneered the way for wearable tech which although already on the market, definitely wasn't as popular as they are today.
After this, lots of other big brands began producing their smart wearables with the first ever Apple Watch released in 2015 shortly followed by the Samsung Galaxy Watch which we saw in 2018.
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Conclusion:
Have you heard of this Google tech before today? If you were given the opportunity would you give the tech a go? Do you think we will ever see the return of eyewear tech within the next few years and how do you feel about the way this incorporates the real world and the virtual environment? It would be extremely helpful for those who struggle with eyesight. And with the release of the Apple Vision Pro, it's clear that wearable tech is already progressing quickly.
