Terminator glasses
The eyes don't have it: Google’s Project Glass is hypnotizing but frightening
Google releases a mock-up of what the Project Glass tool would look like.Courtesy photo
In this screen grab from Google's concept video, we see the Project Glass toolbooting up for use.
In another screen grab from Google's concept video, we see a text message fromthe user's point of view.
Augmented reality glasses — that’s what many news outlets are calling Google’s next invention. Google is simply calling it, Project Glass.
What exactly is it? Rumblings of Project Glass started back in February, then only known as “Project X.” Google wouldn’t comment on the project, but PCWorld gave us a glimpse into what types of things the glasses would feature. Our very own Michael Graupmann summed it up rather well too, when he first reported the news, calling them “Creepy Terminator Glasses.”
But now, Google has finally decided to talk about the project, revealing that they are indeed currently researching and trying to develop a pair of glasses that would allow a person to see and carry out tasks that a person may normally conduct on their smart phones.
Our very own Michael Graupmann summed it up rather well too, when he first reported the news, calling them “Creepy Terminator Glasses.”
It sounded creepy two months ago and thanks to a concept video they released Wednesday, I can confirm that it is creepy in action as well.
In the two-minute video, we see the world in a way that's undoubtedly revolutionary. The clip illustrates how users of Google’s glasses would "boot up" and be able to see different applications that would include calendars, weather apps, text and video messaging, a music player and GPS, by just wearing glasses, as pictured to the right.
The video is acutally quite hypnotizing. It utilizes an upbeat folk track by Bibio to help quell viewer’s initial fears and instead, has them reveling in how futuristic and cool this device could be.
But if you take a second to stop and really think about what you’re watching, things in the video start becoming a bit frightening. Imagine walking outside one day and seeing everyone talking to themselves, for example.
Bluetooth devices have already slowly made that a reality, but these glasses would be ten times worse. Nobody would be watching where they're going anymore, instead focusing on checking into places with their eyes. YouTube user Tom Scott illustrates this point perfectly in a parody video he just uploaded:
