Emerging Technology - Google Glass - Term Paper Example

Emerging Technology-Google Glass Table of contents Pg. 3: Introduction -Google-Glass history and Development Pg. 4: Google-Glass as a wearable technology. -Technology behind Google-Glass -Functionalities -Pros and Cons Pg. 5: Development, Strategic Release and Production -its Capabilities as a Tech Product Application of Wearable technology -Health and Fitness kit -Transport Sector Application -Company application Pg. 6: Life-Cycle Analysis S-Curve Analysis Competitive Analysis Pg. 7: Strategic Implications Technology Planning Pg. 8: Managerial Implications Introduction The rapid growth of modern technology has seen the development of different gargets stemming from mobile phones, iPods, laptops as well as the birth of other devices such as the Google glass. Reflecting on definition, Google glass is a type of wearable technology, which includes other products such as wearable wrist bands and even smart watches. However, it is worth noting that the Google Glass platform has been one of the most talked about and highly expected in the mainstream. It combines a normal eye lens with a computer fitted with small earphones all in one to come up with what has come to be known as the Google glass. It comes with a small display that contains all the information needed. As a whole, it can be seen a world seen through a glass. This is because, the numerous applications loaded into a small computer, enabling unlimited forms of ideas and functionalities. Google glass is a product from the widely known Google Company. It was first introduced into the market as a prototype in August 2011, with the aim of producing mass customer-consumable tech product (Cornelia, 2012). With its partnership with other technology oriented companies, the Google glass was eventually born. At its first announcement, it drew a lot of media attention, with many wondering whether the product could be produced and function due to its high expectation. The first consumer was presented with a prototype which went for an exorbitant $ 1500. Many of them being support developers who would give their feedback and enable product improvement before its mass production. Although the product has been tested for performance, it is yet not released to the mass market, thus it is projected to hit the mainstream market by late 2014. The Google glass comes with several functionalities, which defines its increased demand in the market. Some of the main functionalities take account of: taking photos and allowing recording of real time videos, which can later be uploaded to social media sites or even later used for professional purposes. This form of wearable tech also allows voice recognition, which in this case if paired with a phone can provide voice commands for texting, phone-book access and dialing and other numerous phone functionality through the power of voice (Bryson & McCann, 2009). Through the small camera attached to the glass, one can be able to use GPS services, which can also provide site identification or in another case, be used to recognize text, thus enabling book citation and information retrieving. From all these we can say, it gives one the power of combining the functionalities of a tablet or smartphone with those of a headphone and sunglasses. But like any other form of technology it comes with its own share of pros and con, though in this case the pros overshadow the cons. Though it comes out with a very high price tag i.e. $ 1,500, which in this case far from reach for ordinary consumers, limited battery-life, and potential abuse, such as spying and possible lack of concentration for drivers, all in all it has numerous pros (Cornelia, 2012). First of all, this kind of tech is projected to take over the tech market; this is by looking at the expected usage and convenience to the consumer. Adjustability, flexibility and its light weight make it highly convenient. This suggests that one can be able to attach it to any normal glasses either medical or sunglasses. With its ability to be paired with a smartphone, gives it un-imaginable capabilities which can range from, number dialing and phone call receiving, SMS texting and reading and other general phone usage. And all of these significantly boosted by it voice recognition capabilities, meaning all services can be attended to by just a voice command. Its ability to connect to the internet also ensures GPS services implemented through mapping technology such as Google maps are possible (Cornelia, 2012). From all of these, it’s appropriate to say that this kind of wearable technology has boosted several forms of communication and is expected to do even more in the future. The idea of releasing it to a few buyers meant, the company could monitor it development and usage and eventually dictate where the improvements need to be done. The early adopters are highly important since they are the ones who push the technology forward and enable its acceptance by the mass-market (Lumsden, 2011). Like any other technology at its birth, many usually see it as an unfavorable but eventually adopt it, and the product finds its way to the mainstream. A good comparison can be the current highly tech-consumed smartphones, where at their introduction; many feared to buy it, form studies that have been done, people not only mock what they can’t understand, but also what they see as being silly. But after effort being put in to load it with numerous consumer aligned applications such as net-browsing, document editing capabilities and much other functionality, consumers eventually adopted it and from the look of things, it is now being widely used. Wearable Technology has several areas of application (Cornelia, 2012). Apart from being used as a phone or a mere computer for browsing, wearable tech has a lot of applications some of which are in development and others just a projection of what doors in can open to improve its functionality. These may include its application in the medical department fraternity. Doctors have been seen to use the Google glass in surgery, where they can be able to monitor what the operating surgeon is seeing and be able to help with suggestions. Also, plans are underway to enable doctors to monitor patients through prescription lenses. The Glasses will be able to give constant medical feedback to the doctor, who can then direct the patient to take certain measures to improve their health. Along that line, since the glasses are able to access the internet, services such as Skype, G+ and even Facetime for Facebook, can enhance communication in conferences in a convenient way (Cornelia, 2012). Meaning companies can be able to hold meetings without the members being in the boardroom in person. The ability of the voice recognition technology can be expanded even more to include not only phone and communication usage, but also the ability to save documents in real-time through conversion of speech to text. Google Glass technology will also enhance health and personal fitness. With the ability to monitor and analyze a user’s face and eyes. Plans are underway to develop applications that can read and generate analysis to inform the wearer of their fitness and health status in real-time without even going to the hospital (Bryson & McCann, 2009). Without a doubt, it is agreeable that this technology is unique and expected to improve performance in various fields of its use. It is recorded in studies that the technology is currently been employed in special departments such as in airports and the general transport industry. It is expected that the technology will bring positive changes in terms of security checks and monitoring the manner through which activities are maintained. An example is the Virgin Atlantic company which adopted the glasses to see areas where the technology can be applied. Passengers will constantly be fed with flight information even during times when they are not communicating with the customer service directly (Lumsden, 2011). Indeed, such technology is expected to go far away to expand the entire industry as a whole just from this example. Away from all the possibilities that the technology can currently offer, the future of this type of wearable tech is highly dependent on the strategic moves and improvements the company can take. These can be looked at from different angles. Ranging from where the technology is now at its current state and the next move that needs to be taken. From the Life-Cycle-Analysis, we can say that the Google Glass is at Inventory-Analysis. Since the product has not yet been released to the mass-market, we can say that it is in its analysis since work is still being put into ensure that the end product is at least flaw-less, and minor issues are attended to. From the look of thing, the end product is not like to be the same with the current released prototypes. It has now been two years since its release, and it seems Google is not leaving anything to chance with what consumers are expecting at the end of the year (Cornelia, 2012). Since we can say that the product has already passed its Goal-and-Scope Definition stage and is currently at the Inventory Analysis stage, then looking at the pace Google is moving at, it is expected that the product will reach the Impact-Assessment stage in probably 2 to 3 years, at least that’s when the product will have an impact on the mass-market. But until then, the company needs to put in a lot of efforts through marketing and product improvement. Looking at the current stage of the product from the S-Plane Analysis, the product can be said to be between Maximizing-performance and Maximizing-efficiency (Bryson & McCann, 2009). Since the product had already been released to initial consumers, who have been acting as a study to monitor the product’s performance, the feedback is then being used by the company to improve the product. It is then appropriate to say it is between those two stages. The product is expected to reach reliability stage in probably a few months’ time after its mass-production, and probably a Mature-stage in a few years also after its mass production. This is so because the maturity stage is when it’s expected that the product no longer requires necessary improvements. The competitive aspect side shows that the company faces huge competition from technology companies that are producing such products. However, Google glass is well modified and has various advantages over products from other companies. Wearable wrist bands have been flooding the market, also smart-watches (Lumsden, 2011). This is an indirect competition from such companies, and the products pose a danger to the future of wearable smart glasses. The company can take several measures to ensure that their product stays afloat over all the others by taking several measures. For example, combining forces with other relevant companies to ensure they have the capital and market-share power over all the other products. Collecting feedback from their consumers and constantly addressing their grievances may go a long way to ensure their product is superior (Cornelia, 2012). Since Google is a very large and widely known company, then taking and embracing that aspect can ensure no other product surpasses the Google-Glass. The strategic implications of this include: the company taking the lion’s share of the market since there can be seen to be superior over other such as the smart-watch or the wearable smart wristband. From the interface of the product, to its functionality, no other product in the market can come close to that. If the company takes this to their advantage, means any new product they introduce in the future, may end up having a good start, especially if it is related to the Google-glass. Embracing app developers who will ensure the product meets the consumer’s demands may help propel the product to profitability. The feedback is also very important both from the software/hardware developers to the consumers, and being capable to develop a brand that is highly productive and effective to its intended purpose. A lot of planning on the technology side also needs to be taken into consideration. If the company can finish the product and be able to start venturing into other new and probably successful technology projects, then the future of the company can be guaranteed to be successful. The amount of time they take to finish the product may dictate how sooner they start incurring profits and eventual concentration on other products (Cornelia, 2012). And if, by possibility, their next product is either directly or indirectly related to the Google-Glass, then the company can be able to cash in double amounts. This showing that a good technological planning can be of high value. Finally, the managerial department needs to be effectively aligned with the developing technology. Employing competent, technology-driven managers to oversee the company projects will help the company remain, relevant technology-wise. A productive managerial team is a guaranteed company success. Conclusion As a point of conclusion, one can concur that the birth of new technologies in the present day will continue to change the way thing are done. Any emerging technology comes in with positive and negative impacts on its users. Looking at the Google-Glass technology, it is clear that the product is highly viable one. In that case, it is expected that the product will be accepted in global market by many users, since it has various benefits to its users. What is more, if improvements and relevant efforts are put to improve it, then the future of wearable technology is a bright one. And the expected technology of Internet-of-Things can borrow or even facilitate the technology and enable the introduction of new and related products. References Bryson, D. & McCann, J. (2009). Smart Clothes And Wearable Technology. New York: Worth Publishers. Cornelia, E. (2012). Wearable Technology. Chicago. University of Chicago Press Lumsden. J. (2011). Human-computer Interaction and Innovation in Handheld, Mobile, and Wearable Technologies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Read More