Will Google Glasses Replace Other Multimedia Devices - Research Paper Example

Will Google Glasses Replace other Multimedia Devices? Introduction Technology has literally made our life easier especially in the communication sector. Google glass is one of the innovations that has made life comfortable, in different ways such as enabling easy-to-take hands-free photos, head-tracking navigation and acted as a conversation starter. Google Glass is a portable device worn as eyeglasses that enables unique uses such as hand-free video chats though with high-power processing. Google Glass has an operating system that interprets human voice commands thus enabling performance of tasks without physical connection[LiK14]. Generally Google Glass do not require users to install apps because they command Glassware to communicate with the device and it has a high-resolution that can help in sending contextual information, images and videos thus acting as a new and different kind of device.Interestingly, “Users can field phone calls, text messages, e-mails, etc., without reaching into a pocket or bag”[LiK14]. Google Glass provides answer to almost anything someone would want to know by bringing information quickly and seamlessly to people’s lives. The glass presents extremely useful information to the users and the limitless applications of the device tend to change the fabric of living such as update on traffic accidents and freeing hands and eyes. With the introduction of Google Glass, people do not need to worry about fumbling with their phones or other digital devices because Google Glass is ready at a moment’s notice. Google Glass has further helped in taking the physical out of technology and brings the world more closely while maintaining the benefits that new social and digital technology offers. Moreover, the device can help in sharing what one has with friends through instant streaming such as catching favorite song at a concert. Google Glass is likely to fundamentally transform other human-computer interactions as well as other media because it makes communication and interaction more intimate and is a marvel of integration and miniaturization. 1. The beginning of the google glass project Google Glass began a few years ago in the secret off-campus R & D center known as Google X and for a long time, people did not know that the prototype existed until around 2011. However, it is worth noting that Project Glass was not an easy thing especially convincing people. Google admitted that the initial prototype were fairly bulky although current prototypes are also not still very early. Rhodes and Allen explain that designing Google Glass has never been an easy task because it considers vital things such as comfort, style, and social acceptance and therefore even the way it looks mattered a lot to the developers[Rho14]. Prototyping has never been an easy thing especially coming up and out of the way by freeing up people’s senses. The hardware that is used in the Project Glass does not seem to deliver the augmented reality experience apart from having a small field of view as well as placement off the side. Many people thought that Google have set the bar too high for them to handle implying an over-hyped and over- expectation that their hardware cannot handle. Developers were faced with challenges of finding Goggle Glass information and they were required to think about every interaction. 2. The positive perspective of having a Google glass Google Glass is Google glass offers an opportunity of communicating and technological control without physical movement because voluntarily brain activity is interpreted as commands. As argued by Cerf, human connection experienced with the Google Glass is really incredible when characterized with high degree of portability and customization[Cer13]. With the Google Glass, users can interact directly with an app with their voices or just gestures thus enabling interaction between the physical and world around them. Google Glasses offer convenience where users can easily send messages without using their hands because they can use voice text feature. Users may carry out several activities without using their hands thus enabling them to do many things. It is also possible to capture amazing moments of one’s life in a very simple and easy way through the use of video and camera capabilities. A user may capture some drama or important or memorable events such as concerts and weddings. Google Glass simply provides a mainstream appeal that provides instant access to Google and communication that also includes capturing imaginations beyond the realm of nerds. However, according to Roggen et al.,“Glass turns off as soon as a microinteraction ends[Rog13]” hence making it possible to use it without interfering with normal life. 3. The negative perspective of having a Google glass There are allegations that the small screen that are almost glued to the eyes could lead to eye strain and “people with prescription glasses cannot use their glasses and the deviceat the same time”[Rho14] as argued by Rhodes and Allen. Other biological issues may involve danger to the retina of users’ eyes because images are formed close to the eyes and other risk concern because of radiation exposure. Brain tumor that is suspected to be caused by smartphones and other electronics may also be associated with Google Glass because of it is put closer to the eyes and brain compared to other devices thus increasing the risk of having brain tumor among users. Long time exposure to the devices may cause cancer perhaps eye cancer or worse due to the high quantity of temperature users are exposed to. Additionally, Rosenberg explains that there are risks of distraction associated with Google citing that “same dangerous drop in driving performance” is experienced when using similar technology[Ros14]. This may be dangerous especially when the user is driving because this may be associated with liability concerns. While using Google Glasses, it may not be easy for a third party to know that you are actually using it unlike other devices such as phones that a user may be seen using by virtue of holding it over the ears. According toRhodes and Allen,“Voice and gesture activation are perhaps the second most distracting feature of the device” raising questions as to applicability of Google Glass to drivers, machine operators, and works that require maximum concentration[Rho14]. Cost of developing and making the products are very high and this has contributed to its expected sale of $ 1500 and it is certainly not possible to offer the product at a lower cost. Finally, another negative perspective of having Google Glass are privacy issues such as hacking. The devices are feared to erode privacy because hackers have proved that it is possible to re-engineer it in many creative ways thus putting users in an awkward position. There is a belief that the device can be hijacked by tricking a user to take picture of a malicious QR code although this was technically fixed by Google. 4. Google glass VS Other devices Compared to other devices such as smartphones, Google Glass is very expensive and may not be affordable among the larger population. The level of innovativeness involved in the device and R & D may not let its selling price go beyond other devices and this may only see a few people buying it. Some devices such as smartphones may not be as distractive as Google Glasses which always stays at the eyes of the users. A smartphone or other devices users may only receive or use their devices at their own will unlike Google Glasses that will always show even distractive images even when an individual is in danger. Moreover, other devices may be used privately and it may not be easy to know whether an individual owns one or not unless the device is exposed may be through carrying it on one’s hand unlike Google Glasses that are just exposed on their users’ eyes. Google glass, according to LiKamWaet al., also becomes too warm so fast and requires constant charging which is not applicable with other devices such as smartphones[LiK14]. Google glasses are more suitable for government than for general people because it captures way too much of online buying habits and other private information that may be useful for national security. The government may also use the devices in recording significant interviews, documenting crime scenes and further make officers safe and productive simply because “these machines can sometimes discover patterns that we could not”[Cer13]. Google Glass may also be used by medical practitioners hence improving healthcare services. It is therefore apparent that using Google Glass among the public may not provide required benefits as it is in the government. Pros and cons of Google Glass Pros: Medicine Google Glass may be used to revolutionize health care by ensuring safety and efficiency in medicine. Google Glasses may be used to show incoming notifications from patients’ conditions apart from being cleaner and safer to use in health care environment. Health care providers normally have busy schedules and therefore the devices may be used as alerts and reminders that enable them to get done what is important. Additionally, Google Glass may be used to retrieve appropriate decision support for specific patients and rescue clinicians from the stress of memorizing the entire ACLS “code” algorithm. Clinicians may be able to run a full check of visual symptoms and vital signs while focusing on patients while streaming images and videos to attending physicians for aid in decision making and diagnosis. Moreover, the device may provide immediate access to content based medical records and offer remote training and collaboration. Google Glass may further be used to share patient diagnostic images with patients or relatives and even contact pharmacy technicians for scanning and verifying medications. Use of these connected and up to date devices may further aid in eliminating medical errors because they will provide real time data to treat ever changing status of patients. In addition, a clinician may be able to compare the past and present sessions because of the availability of previous records hence enabling them to update on major changes in the patient they oversee. Cons: Privacy Issues Google glass has a few setbacks including privacy concerns that have been raised by users. Privacy risks range from those unique to the technology to risks exacerbated by nature of wearable computers that threaten non-users with always surveillance.According to Yus et al., it is disturbing that, “Google Glass makes it difficult to know when someone is taking a pictureof you”[Yus14] raising eyebrows on how Google intends to handle such a sensitive issue. A third party may not be sure whether a Google Glass wearer is recording some information about them hence threatening the ability to have private social interactions. People captured by the gadget’s camera usually fall victims of privacy and anonymity invasion without their consent even in public settings. Some settings may be sensitive or incriminating such as sunbathing at the beach, buying medications at a pharmacy, going to a religious service or transacting financial matters at a bank. These kinds of setting are a good example of how a third party’s privacy may be deprived by the Google Glass cameras. Google Glass has no exterior recording indicator and therefore it is difficult for a third party to tell whether one’s business or family is being recorded and this may make users encounter occasional negative public reactions[Yus14]. In addition, there are allegations that the device can be secretly used to record private conversation hence making it an invasion of privacy. The recording also raises potential security concerns around the device except that most consumers are comfortable giving up privacy provided the device is convenient. Ethically, private concerns are always given first priority by many consumers who would always desire to be off the record and are anxious about lost privacy. Another privacy concern is information that may be accessible to a third party and a collective absorption in personal gadgetry when a Google Glass user is robbed of the gadget. Moreover, hackers may exploit the device’s root capability hence enabling to control Google Glass’ output because it does not have PIN or authentication system. Conclusion Google Glass is indeed a great step in the advancement of communication technology. It is apparent that the current society is accustomed to the emerging technologies and Google Glass is not left out as incredible emerging technology that uses augmented reality to take photos, video and use GPS. The devices have all the desirable qualities of computers, smartphones, tablets, iPads and even more superior qualities such as pulling information on the users’ display in as quick as possible. Google Glasses will definitely impact society by aiding consumers become more connected although some fear that interactions between people face to face will die. The devices greatly help users to stay connected and enjoy real-life moments apart from their physical advantage that include lightness, durability and comfortable experience. Google Glasses are very fashionable for the technological world that make them even lead to other products like augmented reality contacts for the military and ordinary consumers that find it significant for their professional and personal use respectively. There are however negative consequences experienced by both Google Inc. and the intended users including the higher cost of the gadget as well as ethical codes including privacy and recording issues. There are some consumers who feel that their privacy rights because they may not know who is watching them although this issue is handled by the company who try their level best to reduce privacy issues such as hacking. Other devices such as smartphones and tablets may die out because Google Glass has almost all features integrated in it. This device will definitely change the world because of innovativeness and the fact that it is not held in hands because the current generation moves so rapidly with technology. Bibliography LiK14: , [1], Rho14: , [2], Cer13: , [3], Rog13: , [4], Ros14: , [5], Yus14: , [6], [1] R. LiKamWa, Z. Wang, A. Carroll, F. Xiaozhu and L. Zhong, "Draining our Glass: An Energy and Heat," Rice University, 23 March 2014. [Online]. Available: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1404.1320v1.pdf. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. [2] T. Rhodes and S. Allen, "Through the Looking Glass: How Google Will Change the Performing Arts," Arts Management & Technology Laboratory, 2014. [Online]. Available: http://static.squarespace.com/static/51d98be2e4b05a25fc200cbc/t/52d331fde4b075f75c5f7243/1389572. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. [3] V. Cerf, "Augmented Intelligence," IEEE Computer Society, 2013. [Online]. Available: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6596495. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. [4] D. Roggen, G. Perez, M. Fukumoto and K. Laerhoven, "Wearables Are Here to Stay," Wearable Computing, 2013. [Online]. Available: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6750483. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. [5] R. Rosenberg, "Google Glass and Highway Safety—Messy Choices," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, 2014. [Online]. Available: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6824304. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. [6] R. Yus, P. Pappachan, P. Kumar, E. Mena, A. Joshi and T. Finin, "FaceBlock: Privacy-Aware Pictures for Google Glass," Public Policy Issues, 2014. [Online]. Available: http://ebiquity.umbc.edu/_file_directory_/papers/694.pdf. [Accessed 10 July 2014]. Read More