How Google Glass could change the future?

Fifteen years ago, when the first mobile phones were introduced, people were staring at those using these devices and sometimes even laughing at them. What were these large devices with this weird antenna? But years after years, they became smaller and smaller and even more efficient, offering users the ability to call, text, play video games, surf on the Internet, record videos, take high quality pictures, etc.

What I want to say is that today we are facing the same kind of behaviors. Google Glass have recently been introduced, a few lucky people have had the opportunity to test them, but all of them face surprise and weird reactions, while working in the street wearing Google Glass.
We can admit that so far, Google Glass are not the most beautiful accessories, but this will definitely evolve. Google has already announced and designed four stylish glass frames and encouraged the development of an accessories ecosystem to attract more and more people.

I believe that Google Glass are going change our future, just like mobile phones did. For now, only developers can test the Glass in order to develop apps and suggest them to Google. That's a way for Google to improve the device, but that's also an amazing marketing campaign. People can read everywhere articles about Google Glass, look at videos, see ads in the street, but they can't try them and just can't wait to buy their own glasses.

Let's try to go beyond Google Glass basic uses and see what the future will be like.

New ways to advertise

One of the major issues of businesses are to attract and target customers. They are ready to pay hundreds of thousands $ for their product to appear in a movie or millions for a Super Bowl ad. Google Glass are going to change the rules. Indeed, in the future, we can easily imagine that anyone walking in the street will be able to get info on someone's shoes or bag. It's going to be possible to simply look at a product, find out where it's from and even buy it instantly within the blink of an eye.

Companies could also be able to place virtual and targeted ads on walls, which means that two different people could be looking at the same wall and see different ads. In addition, if you like the product that you see, the device can use the GPS to suggest shops nearby.

New ways of filming

Increasing the number of users and making video recording a common use of Google Glass could be an opportunity to fight criminality. Although countries such as the UK highlight their use of CCTV, it looks like they never work when you need it. In the future, videos shot by eye witnesses cold be very useful and efficient proof of evidence.
On a more creative side, people's video could be part of reports and news. Reporters always fight to have unique shots, first images and people's point of view and wearable devices could be very helpful.

New ways of playing

Google Glass definitely offer a whole new playground for games addicts. New apps are being developed and will allow users to play an action game in real world. Just picture the scene : you're in the street, on your way to the office and you receive a mission that you have to complete using the exterior environment.

Some current uses 

That's not all, we can already see many more usages of the Glasses in the future. Many professionals have started using them :

• Virgin stewardesses have been provided with Google Glass in order to improve customer experience and better anticipate their needs. 
• The US Army feel that technology is a major stake in the future and started using Google Glass to reach its goals. However, they believe that they can't totally depend on that technology as technologies can always fail.
• New York policemen have received Google Glass to test its efficiency. They can use facial recognition, access to databases, write reports and add live pictures etc. It could be very useful but this raise privacy fears.
• Real estates companies have started using Google Glass to help people virtually visit a flat. I personally find this very useful, as I've dreamt about that many times while looking for a flat.
• Bankers and brokers can access live data market and place orders thanks to the Glass.
• Surgeons can share their POV and get relevant data about their patient while operating

Some other potential business uses

Healthcare: Glass can make a huge difference in hospitals to increase the efficiency of staff and accuracy of treatment given to patients.

The camera will play a pivotal role - allowing nurses or doctors to scan barcodes and NFC tags to identify patients, bring up medical records and verify the correct medication and dosage is being applied.

Airports: Glass will be used to process check-ins and provide passengers with information about their flight, as well as details of the weather and suggested activities at their destination. It can also aid translation queries. The aim is to improve customer experience.

Augmented reality: Glass can superimpose information over real-world happenings, which will allow the tourism and leisure industry to enhance and support the customer experience.

City and museum tours can be brought to life by overlaying historicals buildings and artwork with key facts or audio descriptions. Users will also be able to take pictures and video and email the files to themselves so they can capture memories hands-free.

Apps could also be developed allowing Glass to highlight the health benefits of foods and any promotions. Retail assistants will be able help customers with their queries on the shop-floor by providing information on products and checking stock levels.

Extreme sports: Google did a great demonstration of Glass at its I/O Developer Conference on 27 June 2012. This blockbuster demo showcased Glass' suitability for uses in extreme sports such as skydiving, biking and abseiling.

Although Glass’ ability to capture and share photos and video can be replicated by products such as Gopro camera, the Google device can share video in real-time via Google’s Hangout feature.

Training, maintenance and monitoring: Industries that require employees to manufacturer and repair products would be wise to investigate the benefits of Glass. Workers will be able to look up how products are assembled or ask for help in real-time if they are unsure what to do in the field. Assessors will also be able to monitor progress of pupils in real-time via Hangouts or by reviewing a recording.

It's just a start and there's no doubt that there will be more in the future. Looking forward to it!

Source : ITPRO