Google's Finally Ready to Give Us Google Glass 2, but is the World Ready?
Google Glass is making a comeback:
Seven years after discontinuing the Google Glass prototype and pivoting towards business-exclusive applications, it appears that the Californian tech giant is finally ready to give consumer-focused AR tech another chance.
In an official blog post, Google announced that it would soon start publicly testing prototypes for its upcoming Google AR devices, which will focus on live translation and navigation features.
Rumors that Google is developing new AR glasses have been swirling for a while, and in one low-key swoop, it has officially confirmed they were true all along. While lacking a lot of the excitement we would have expected for such an announcement, this is a smart tactical move for Google.
[...] Even if Google is testing a single unified prototype it could face the return of an old enemy – public fear. While Google promises that its latest AR devices are restricted on how they can use their cameras and microphones, that likely won't assuage people's concerns.
[...] We'll have to wait and see how the general public reacts though, not only next month when testers start walking around with the prototypes but also when they officially launch. Another big fault of the original Google Glass was its tough-to-swallow $1,500 price tag. Given the current economic hardships many people are facing right now, a similarly expensive product could once again be doomed to fail.
Ready or Not, the Glassholes are Coming Back
Is the world finally prepared for hands-free cameras?:
Every major tech company is working on computer glasses. None of them really want to go first.
They all remember how Google Glass, and the "Glassholes" who wore them in public, became the laughingstock of the world. So they've been waiting, biding their time, refining their prototypes, and every so often making sure investors know that, no, they're not going to let the first potentially iPhone-sized opportunity since the iPhone slip by.
[...] If you hate this idea, there's probably nothing I can say to convince you otherwise, nor would I necessarily want to; I'm not going to pretend to know whether such a gadget should exist in the world. I just think you should realize that if Google's test doesn't end in utter disgust, it won't be long before Apple, Microsoft, and others throw their long-awaited glasses into the ring as well.
And in 2022, I wouldn't actually bet on disgust, mainly because we've had a decade of pointing phones at things in public, documenting every element of our lives, to prepare us for what's to come.
[...] Sure, that could change if a future pair of glasses proves to be more intrusive than our existing phones and drones. There are definitely going to be serious questions about data collection and privacy, particularly given the track record of some of the companies building them.
But in 2022, I think the bigger challenge facing Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Snap is figuring out how to build AR experiences we'd actually pay for — experiences more compelling or convenient than what phones already offer.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Gaaark on Wednesday July 27 2022, @10:56PM (4 children)
if you could run the software on a local server.
With the way corporations spy on everything while saying they don't.... no spank me.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 4, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 28 2022, @01:23AM
I'll wear them on your behalf and follow you around.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Booga1 on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:14AM (2 children)
They could design it to store and process everything locally on your phone. It's got the local storage and compute power needed. The thing is, they won't do that. They won't do it because that isn't what these devices are for. They're data collection devices. They promise they'll have limited use of the cameras and microphones, but they've overstepped their boundaries in the past so many times that we know they can't be trusted. They can't resist the sweet mountain of data this thing will produce. It's just too tempting.
(Score: 2) by helel on Thursday July 28 2022, @06:46AM
Apple does allot of processing on their phone, both for itself and for the Apple Watch. Chances are this will be no different than the current options - Everyone does everything in the cloud except apple who works locally and then uploads it to the cloud unless you turn that feature off...
(Score: 4, Funny) by DannyB on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:40PM
Google would never be evil. Thus they will not abuse this access to cameras and mics. I know this because they said so. They would not lie because that would be evil. They said they are not evil. Q.E.D.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 27 2022, @11:06PM (4 children)
Just keep throwing these invasive Panopticon cakes at us, Mr Corporation
Plant stories in the media that it's the next $$$ BIG $$$ THING $$$
What part of >>> DO NOT WANT do you not understand?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:42PM (3 children)
Will we also see the return of people who beat up and assault people wearing Google Glass?
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday July 28 2022, @05:20PM
Depends on where they sport their "Google Glass" always on, recording devices.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 4, Informative) by Freeman on Thursday July 28 2022, @05:32PM
Google used the "derogatory term" "glasshole" in their Do's/Dont's suggestions: https://sites.google.com/site/glasscomms/glass-explorers [google.com]
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 29 2022, @12:14AM
Yes, and their buddies will be recording it on their phones so that they can post it on the social medias.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Kell on Thursday July 28 2022, @12:25AM (2 children)
I've got to give the editor credit: the article title and dept byline are subtle and obscure references that I very much appreciate (but shouldn't it be "chile"?).
Scientists ask questions. Engineers solve problems.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Kell on Thursday July 28 2022, @12:27AM
And yes, I know - don't worry, I'm experienced.
Scientists ask questions. Engineers solve problems.
(Score: 3, Funny) by hubie on Thursday July 28 2022, @01:45AM
I'm delighted you picked up on it. You are correct, but I thought "child" fit better (and was less obvious) with it talking about Google fans.
And I've had that song stuck in my head ever since I edited it. :)
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Thursday July 28 2022, @05:46AM (2 children)
European privacy laws are pretty stingy when it comes to images. Taking a picture of someone without their express permission, especially if you're publishing it, is a legal problem waiting to happen. And sending it to a third party already constitutes this.
So, no need to trample the glasses (before or after removing them from the face). Just sue the glasshole into oblivion. If they can afford the glasses, they can afford the lawsuit. Ka-ching!
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:45PM (1 child)
Google Glass will get an exception to this law, or the law will be
neuteredfixed. This will happen as soon as the legislators are offered access to all of this information on individual citizens, their movements, habits, associations, favorite ice cream flavors, etc.When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Friday July 29 2022, @07:08AM
Well, I'm not that convinced. Since that law has seen some heavy attacks already and there are very vested interests from major publishing companies and newspapers (who don't want the competition from independent photographers) in it, I don't think a rubber-stamp law change is likely to happen.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 28 2022, @08:52AM (2 children)
It comes from Google/Doubleclick, It is full of outwards facing sensors, its hardware is made by same demons from HELL as its software, its all encrypted, and it requires to be online (with goog account, citizen!) doesn't it?
Will they allow any sort of integration that they can not stop in real time? NEVER!
Will they publish firmware source code, and actual toolschain to compile an image? NEVER NEVER ULSTER SAYS NO! lol
I really can't see why i should be Uncle Sam's gargoyle (human based mobile multi-modal surveillance device), wearing this.
Shame on Goog for perverting everything looking like potential fun.
Shame on enthusiastic noobs that are going to buy it without considering social implications.
Shame on me for looking forward to glasshole bashing, if this garbage ever goes mainstream.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:47PM (1 child)
Google will give you an API allowing you access to your data. People will have fun with this.
Google will give people in power an API allowing them access to everyone's data. Tyrants will have fun with this.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by maxwell demon on Thursday July 28 2022, @04:11PM
Hackers will find a way to backdoor the API, allowing them access to everyone's data. Black hats will have fun with this.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday July 28 2022, @02:50PM
Dear Google,
You need to offer another wearable device that people will be
interestedtrampling over each other to buy.A wearable device that shows everyone the wearer's social score.
A score compiled from various factors indicating how well you are
subjugatedintegrated into society.When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.