Fashion Gadget: The Google Glass - The Ups & Downs

How soon will we all be living inside Iron Man? How about now! Its finally official, the future is wearable and interactive. The purpose of Google Glass (styled "GLΛSS")is, in essence, like having a smart phone strapped to your face. It is a wearable computer with a head-mounted display that is being developed by Google in the Project Glass research and development project,with the mission of producing a mass-market ubiquitous computer.


The google glass can connect with the internet via voice command and display information on the glass 'screens'. The glasses, which cost €1,200 a pair (£980), are currently on limited release to 2,000 customers but will be more widely available later this year. Google Glass has the ability to take photos and record 720p HD video. While video is recording, a recording light is displayed above the eye, which is unnoticeable to the wearer. The side of Google Glass is a touchpad, allowing users to control the device by swiping through a timeline-like interface displayed on the screen.

  Technical specifications 
-Android 4.0.4 and higher
-No official information about display resolution, 640×360 suggested, as it is recommended for app developers
-5-megapixel camera, capable of 720p video recording
-Wi-Fi 802.911b/g
-Bluetooth
-16GB storage (12 GB available)
-Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 SoC 1.2Ghz Dual(ARMv7)
-682MB RAM "proc".
-3 axis gyroscope
-3 axis accelerometer
-3 axis Magnetometer

 -Ambient Light sensing and Proximity sensor But like Google Glass is everywhere these days, so are its critics. Here are some of the critics:

-The battery life is terrible. Engadget estimated battery life is at five hours. Our own Kevin Smith says the battery life is actually closer to three hours.
- You're unable to focus on people or things around you, and gives you a headache.
- The screen is hard to see in bright light.
- Google Glass doesn't have a built-in cellular data connection. So, you have to have to pair it with a smartphone that has a data connection when you leave your home.
- Unlike glasses, which actually fold up, Glass is one piece that can't be made smaller.
- Responding to messages is tough. It's not easy to edit your response. If you speak slowly, clearly and avoid grammatical contractions you have a chance of sending a correct email.

 A camera next to the wearer’s eye, which can take photos or record video without a red light or a shutter sound to tell others that it is working, has also caused concerns for privacy.

 Casinos said the futuristic eyewear could help cheaters to win unfairly and cinemas said they could be used to illegally record films and sell pirate copies. Lap dance clubs said that they would treat those wearing the Internet-connected specs the same as anyone caught filming a stripper with a cameraphone - and would kick them out.

 Much of these flaws can be fixed over time by Google. But still, the fact that someone can take a picture of me without permission make me think whether Google Glass is changing our life in a positive or negative way.

Take a look at the "How it feels..." video below:

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