In February of 2013, Google began releasing a landmark new device called “Google Glass”. Google Glass acts as a heads up display for your cell phone freeing your hands and eliminating the individual’s need to look down. The vision of Glass was dreamt up by Sergey Brin as he was looking into finding a solution in order to get individuals engaging in society, instead of always having their heads buried in their cell phone.
The Glass development process took two years to get to where is today, and it is still far from being 100% on the market or in its final phase. In order to test out Glass, Google setup an Explorers Program where individuals could apply to get the device and provide feedback. I was interested in applying because Glass was seen to be very helpful with individuals like myself as numerous functions worked through voice activation. Therefore, about 8 months ago I applied to get into the Explorer Program, but never heard anything in return. It was not until late January that I thought, “Maybe I should apply again?”
On January 18, 2014, a news story broke that a man wearing Google Glass in an AMC theater complex was questioned by Homeland Security for illegally recording the film Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. As this story spread like wildfire, it was confirmed that the Glass device was turned off and the individual was just watching the film with his wife. The FBI questioned the individual for several hours asking him numerous questions like, who he was, where he lived, where he worked, how much he made, how many computers he had at home, why he was recording the movie…etc. The FBI eventually asked how and where he received the Glass device? The individual informed them he received Glass from Google after applying 1,000 times.
After hearing this individual applied for the Explorer Program 1,000 time, I thought, “I should try applying again since I only did it once.” I applied again the following day and a week later I heard back that I was accepted into the program. I am not sure what made Google pick me, but maybe it had to do with the fact that I attached my blog this time. After getting accepted into the Explorer Program I was excited to test Glass out, but always was curious how individuals who wore prescription glasses compensated as the Glass device did not have frames with prescription lenses.
Upon getting my acceptance letter in my Gmail Inbox I was given a unique pass code that lead me to a Google Glass website where I could purchase the Glass device, along with a choice of four different styles of frames I could put my prescription in. At the time I had no idea that the four different styles of frames had just been released. Therefore, I was relatively glad I had not heard back from Google in the previous eight months.
The Glass device came in five different colors being charcoal, tangerine, cotton, shale, and sky. I chose charcoal as all the frames came in that same color minus the earpieces. In terms of the frame styles, the four choices were curve, bold, split and thin. I went with bold as they were the closest shape and style to my prescription glasses I always wear.
After checking out, Google recommended that you pick up your order at the closest branch. The closest branch for me was the Los Angeles (LA) office in Venice Beach. I setup my appointment for Friday, February 14th at 12 o’clock. When Friday officially arrived my dad and I set our courses for LA. Once our GPS said, “We had arrived at our destination.” the entrance was nowhere to be seen. My dad and I drove around the building four times before realizing there was an entrance on the front of the building that lead to an underground parking structure.
As my dad and I pulled into the entrance a security guard ran up to our window and asked, “Can I help you?” My dad explained, “That I had an appointment to get Google Glass.” The security guard replied, “Google doesn’t supply parking for individuals getting Glass.” My dad asked, “What about the fact that I was in a wheelchair?” The security guard walked away and about a minute later came back and said, “It’s okay for us to park under the building.”
At that moment the giant gate preventing anyone from entering opened up. The security guard told us, “To park in the wheelchair space on the 2nd floor under the building.” As my dad and I parked and got out of the car, the elevator was right next to us. We pushed the button, got in, and headed to the first floor, which was the entrance to Google. After the elevator door opened the security guard told us exactly where to go. I am not sure, but I assume everyone at Google had walkie talkies kind of like on a film set because once out of the elevator everyone knew who we were and that we were there to pick up Glass.
After getting out of the elevator my dad and I had to check-in to make sure we were who we were supposed to be. Once done checking in a guy who was going to hook me up with Glass was right behind us and immediately introduced himself and escorted us to a large room filled with couches and a coffee table, allowing us to talk open and freely. In the room, the guy hooking me up called for his assistant to bring the Glass samples down so I could pick my color. The assistant came with a box of Glass nicely displayed to show off every color. I told them, “I ordered charcoal and the frame style bold.” They replied, “That it’s okay to change your mind after placing your order.”
Google Glass with Bold Frames
A couple of minutes later the assistant came back with two black bags with the word Glass written on the side and placed them on the coffee table. The guy helping us reached inside the bags and brought out two medium sized boxes, one contained the Glass device along with its accessories, and the other the Bold frames. The guy helping us did a nice unboxing showing me all the accessories and how they work with the Glass device. It kind of was funny as he said, “I am jealous you actually own your pair.”
After unboxing everything, the Glass device was placed on my head and for the next two hours, I was shown how to setup and work them. My recommendation for anybody else that gets into the Explorer Program is that you pick your Glass device up from Google. Even the guy helping me set Glass up had trouble every now and then, and he has been doing this for a year. If it was up to me, it would have taken two days just to figure out how to even get started.
I have officially had Glass for over two weeks now and after spending some time with the device, there still is a lot I cannot do with it as it requires the use of your hands to scroll through the timeline via the side touchpad. Although there are things I cannot do, there are quite a few things I can do. For instance, for the first time in my life following the accident, I can take pictures, record videos, call contacts and look things up on the internet being away from my computer.
I gave Google quite a lot of feedback in order to fix the things I cannot do, which they were thrilled to hear. I think a couple of simple solutions to fix the timeline, could be that Glass reads your eye, maybe a simple twerk of the head left or right, or possibly a couple of simple voice commands. Apparently, numerous Explores are requesting such changes. Ultimately, these changes would open up a whole new world for individuals like myself.
I have no idea if Google is going to change the way Glass functions or not, but this technology is opening a whole new world for individuals with disabilities. Whether Google or another company like AT & T, Verizon, Panasonic, Vizio or Apple steps up to the plate, one can surely say Google Glass is the first of its kind.
Trent McGee 