Developers Begin Hunt For a Killer App For Google Glass

holy_calamity writes "Companies large and small are working to create the first "killer app" for Google Glass, the wearable display to go on sale later this year, reports MIT Technology Review. Evernote is among large companies that got early access to prototypes and has been testing ideas for some time, but is staying quiet about its plans. Meanwhile new startups with apps for Glass are being created and funded, although uncertainty about whether consumers will embrace the technology has steered them towards commercial and industrial ideas, such as apps for for doctors and maintenance technicians."

Comments

Privacy and etiquette

[markdavis]

>"although uncertainty about whether consumers will embrace the technology"

Personally, I think people are rude enough with their phones (and even tablets) as it sits now. I can't imagine it with a bunch of people with those stupid things on their heads. Now they can even look at you and still not be looking at you.

Then add the aspect that someone looking at you wearing one is "recording" or at least "analyzing" everything seen and heard and sharing it with Google or whomever is quite invasive. It is one thing to give away your own privacy... and quite another to violate the privacy of everyone around you all the time.

And please don't bother replying to this with crap like "but you are in public". It doesn't matter if you are in public or not. And quite frankly, sitting in a booth at a restaurant with a few friends, there is way more than a reasonable expectation that your conversations, your body expressions, what you are wearing and eating, etc are not shared with Big Brother or the entire world.

I will try to keep an open mind. But I doubt I would be comfortable with people using those around me. It is beyond spooky. And I can't imagine I am alone. So that might be the answer to the summary's question about if consumers will "embrace" the technology.

Re:Privacy and etiquette

[macklin01]

Personally, as a guy with hearing loss that's really cutting into those handy consonant sounds above 2000 Hz, I'm thrilled at the idea of real-time "closed captioning" placed under each speaker. Right now, noisy restaurants and lectures can be a bit of a nightmare, even with top-of-the-line hearing aids.

Random Blackout

[Fnord666]

A good "killer" app would be to randomly black out the display for a second or three, particularly when GPS indicates a speed greater than 60 mph.

If you want something beneficial to the wearer instead, how about a targeting reticle?

Fast video record on command

[timholman]

For me, the killer app for Google Glass is obvious. I want to be able to activate high resolution video recording in an instant, either with a single spoken word or a gesture/shrug.

I have had many instances while driving/walking/jogging when I've seen some imminent accident/collision/crime where I needed a picture right now and not three seconds later. Fumbling for your cell phone camera takes too long; the moment has passed.

Give me that capability and I'll be an early adopter.

Alcohol/Bar industry

[flyneye]

Need beer goggles
Better yet, an app that shows which women in a bar have the highest basal temperature indicating fertile time and willingness to breed.
It could be modified to show which have had the most to drink in order to save you money. Perhaps there could be a ratings system linked to a database to see which particular preferences and mileage are involved and any disease. The point of technology is to save human time and effort so it can be expended toward more fruitful pursuits.
This is legitimate and a giant step for mankind that should receive a lions share of startup and government funding, providing benefits for all.(friends with benefits , that is)