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Google Glass, Augmented Reality Spells Data Headaches

Posted by Soulskill on from the waiting-on-google-smell-o-vision dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes "Google seems determined to press forward with Google Glass technology, filing a patent for a Google Glass wristwatch. As pointed out by CNET, the timepiece includes a camera and a touch screen that, once flipped up, acts as a secondary display. In the patent, Google refers to the device as a 'smart-watch. Whether or not a Google Glass wristwatch ever appears on the marketplace — just because a tech titan patents a particular invention doesn't mean it's bound for store shelves anytime soon — the appearance of augmented-reality accessories brings up a handful of interesting issues for everyone from app developers to those tasked with handling massive amounts of corporate data.For app developers, augmented-reality devices raise the prospect of broader ecosystems and spiraling complexity. It's one thing to build an app for smartphones and tablets — but what if that app also needs to handle streams of data ported from a pair of tricked-out sunglasses or a wristwatch, or send information in a concise and timely way to a tiny screen an inch in front of someone's left eye?"

4 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Stupid premise by Applekid · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's one thing to build an app for smartphones and tablets — but what if that app also needs to handle streams of data ported from a pair of tricked-out sunglasses or a wristwatch, or send information in a concise and timely way to a tiny screen an inch in front of someone's left eye?"

    How is this "spiraling complexity" in any way? There are standards. There are APIs. If they don't exist today, they will, necessitated for such issues.

    --
    More Twoson than Cupertino
    1. Re:Stupid premise by c0lo · · Score: 1, Insightful

      It's one thing to build an app for smartphones and tablets — but what if that app also needs to handle streams of data ported from a pair of tricked-out sunglasses or a wristwatch, or send information in a concise and timely way to a tiny screen an inch in front of someone's left eye?"

      How is this "spiraling complexity" in any way? There are standards. There are APIs. If they don't exist today, they will, necessitated for such issues.

      In other words, Zynga, the authors of "Angry birds" and the like are the only ones that are fucked. A decent software engineer will certainly survive this complexity.

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
  2. Time to drive by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Do not use one of these things while driving please. It's a little know issue of "looking but not seeing". That is to say, you may be aware of the red light in front of you, but your attention is not focused on comprehending its meaning. Big problem!

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
  3. Re:Limited options by DragonWriter · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Whining is pointless. If smart watches and Glass catch on, there's exactly two things developers can do.

    Adapt or die.

    ...or continue to develop for other platforms (e.g., servers) which aren't directly threatened by a couple of new mobile form factors becoming popular.

    So, the three things a developer can do are...