A smartphone that goes to your head
So a grand total of an hour over two sessions barely qualifies me to pass proper judgment on Google Glass.
However, it was immediately apparent that Glass is still on its training wheels. The user experience is sub-optimal. The finger gestures are a bit hit and miss. The voice commands work well but there was only a limited suite of instructions. I kept squinting with my left eye to focus with the right on the screen, although everyone I have spoken to about Glass says you get used to the obstruction in your field of vision after a few days.
The screen only frames about as many words as you find in a tweet - 140 characters. So you read in short bursts of words rather than anything longer form. But with the prevalence of texts and tweets, that is no longer a downside.
The camera and video are killer apps at this stage, and I can see how the maps and navigation would be useful.
Would I buy one? If the price was right, yes. To me, it is the logical extension of the evolution of the camera. Once, you only used these devices to photograph and film important events. And with only 12, 24 or 36 exposures or a reel of 8 millimetre film, you had to be selective with your shots.
When cameras went digital, everything changed and, now, photographs and video are ubiquitous. As mobile phones became the default camera, the game shifted once more.
And with the growing number of head-mounted cameras that are used in action sports, it is not surprising the next move is to something that moves from the helmet to the head.
In the late 1980s, I remember being called a wanker by a passer-by when I was walking down a street while talking on one of those prehistoric Motorola brick phones. Now, mobiles are the norm and nobody bats an eyelid.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
After about an hour over two sessions the reviewer said Google Glass felt early-stage — “on its training wheels.” The user experience was sub‑optimal: finger gestures were hit-and-miss, voice commands worked but were limited, and the display initially obstructed part of the field of vision until you get used to it.
The Google Glass screen only frames roughly as many words as a tweet — about 140 characters — so you read in short bursts rather than long form. The reviewer noted that, given how common texts and tweets are, this short‑burst format isn’t necessarily a downside.
The reviewer highlighted the camera and video as the killer apps at this stage, and also mentioned that maps and navigation could be very useful in everyday scenarios.
Key issues include unreliable gesture controls, a limited set of voice commands, and an initial obstruction in the wearer’s field of vision that users say they adapt to over a few days. These are common early‑stage product challenges investors should monitor.
The reviewer described Glass as a logical extension of camera evolution — from film to digital to mobile — and noted the trend of head‑mounted cameras in action sports moving from helmets to the head, suggesting a natural progression toward wearable head displays.
The reviewer said they would buy one if the price was right, implying consumer demand may be price‑sensitive but present, particularly for people who value hands‑free camera and navigation features.
A brief demo — in this case roughly an hour across two sessions — doesn’t replicate normal, everyday use. Investors should seek longer real‑world testing and broader user feedback before drawing firm conclusions about adoption and product maturity.
Investors should watch camera and video capture, hands‑free navigation and maps, and applications in action sports or any scenario where head‑mounted recording adds value. Also consider how quickly software (voice commands, gesture controls and apps) expands beyond the limited suite available in early trials.
Call 1300 880 160
Start a chat
Schedule a call
