Google Glass: A Substitute for Smart Phones or Google’s Biggest Failure?
Can Google glass compete with smart phones or it will be a big a failure? There is no verdict yet on the device but it will definitely not have smooth sailing ride.
Google Glass caught the attention of many. The more important question is whether it can generate enough interest to sustain it in mainstream. This technology has its potential but it is up against some tough competitions in the market. Google is popular for its search engine services but convincing the market to adopt a completely different and new technology is another story.
Mass adoption for a device is possible but it comes with a lot of hard work. Google Glass has a "futuristic" message to it yet that does not mean the public will automatically embrace it. CNET cites four major challenges to Google Glass: usability, style, privacy and fear.
Glass has excellent features and people will find it useful only after they become familiar to it. The interface of the device is quite radical requiring more time than usual to learn how to work with. It is not as self-explanatory as computers and smartphones.
Style and privacy are two challenges that go hand in hand. It is difficult to establish privacy especially when a person has to wear or mount it on their heads to use it. It is a definite giveaway for users. Style is also something the company has to work on. Not everyone will be too keen on wearing the Glass just for a specific range of applications.
Fear deals more with getting used to wearing the device. Not everyone is familiar with it and it can generate interest or curiosity - even in a bad way. People will likely be more suspicious especially since Glass can capture videos and photos at the discretion of the user. If Google wants to transform it into a mainstream product, it will have to work on reconciling these challenges with the market.