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What Will Google Glass 2.0 Need To Actually Succeed?

Posted by samzenpus on from the laying-out-the-plan dept.

Nerval's Lobster writes As previously rumored, Google has discontinued selling Google Glass, its augmented-reality headset... but it could be coming out with something new and (supposedly) improved. The company has placed a relentlessly positive spin on its decision: "Glass was in its infancy, and you took those very first steps and taught us how to walk," reads a posting on the Google+ page for Glass. "Well, we still have some work to do, but now we're ready to put on our big kid shoes and learn how to run." Formerly a project of the Google X research lab, Glass will now be overseen by Tony Fadell, the CEO of Google subsidiary (and Internet of Things darling) Nest; more than a few Glass users are unhappy with Google's decision. If Google's move indeed represents a quiet period before a relaunch, rather than an outright killing of the product, what can it do to ensure that Glass's second iteration proves more of a success? Besides costing less (the original Glass retailed for $1,500 from Google's online storefront), Google might want to focus on the GoPro audience, or simply explain to consumers why they actually need a pair of glasses with an embedded screen. What else could they do to make Glass 2.0 (whatever it looks like) succeed?

5 of 324 comments (clear)

  1. Size by fxsoap · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The hardest problem I've seen people have with Google Glass is how obvious it is you are wearing the glasses. People in public assume you are recording them and it bothers them.

    If you over come that, I think it would be a fantastic barrier to remove.

    After that, give me a utility for these glasses that make me want to buy them/wear them/use them that benefits me beyond what I have or can have now.

    That will make them much more attractive in many ways.

    1. Re:Size by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The hardest problem I've seen people have with Google Glass is how obvious it is you are wearing the glasses. People in public assume you are recording them and it bothers them.

      If you over come that, I think it would be a fantastic barrier to remove.

      So, you have no issues with people recording you when you don't know about it?

      You think is OK for some Glasshole to walk into a restaurant where you are enjoying a public yet private dinner with a friend, record it and put it up on the Intertubes? You are OK with that. I mean, it is a "public" place, right?

      I know, public places and all, just posing the question...

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  2. I'm not sure it can succeed by QuietLagoon · · Score: 3, Interesting
    So long as there are glassholes, google glass will not succeed.

    .
    Unfortunately, google cannot control the people who use google glass, so there will always be glassholes and google glass won't succeed.

  3. Shutter by jklovanc · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A visible physical shutter that can be moved over the camera lens to prove that one is not recording video. I realize that it does not deal with people not near enough to see the shutter but at least it will put the people at the table at ease. This is not a perfect solution but it might help.

  4. Just remove the camera by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    All Google needs to do is remove the camera. That way, it can still be used for notifications, searches of information and other overlays, and nobody needs to be worried about constantly being recorded. This reduces it to a simple HUD, but let's face it, everybody's smartphone is already a camera.