In 2011, Google engineered a prototype for Google Glass that weighed eight pounds. Now, three years later, Google Glass has been released to the public and only weighs 1.28 ounces and sells for $1,500. While this price may not make Google Glass available to the masses, the company is continuing to work at making Google Glass an accessible device that revolutionizes wearable technology.
Based on the smart-phone hands free format (), Google Glass wearers can communicate with the Internet using voice commands that are initiated by stating the phrase “O.K. Glass” (1, 5). The glasses themselves come with three main features that set Google Glass apart from other wearable technology including a touchpad, which is located on the right side of the glasses that allow the wearer to swipe up, down, left, or right to show a timeline of events that include, photos, internet usage, and phone calls to name a few (11). The second feature is the camera located on the front of the glasses, this camera is able to take photos and record 720 p HD video (11). The final feature of Google Glass is its unique display, which is located in the upper right corner of the glasses and is made of Liquid Crystal Silicon (LCoS), field-sequential color, and LED illuminated display (25). The display utilizes the LED illumination by first shining through a polarizing beam splitter to the LCos panel and then reflecting that light back into the wearers eye (25). What results from this is a groundbreaking wearable gadgetry that is changing the way the public interacts with technology.
In addition to the picture and video qualities of Google Glass, since its launch, Google has begun working with other organizations to put apps onto the glasses as well. The New York Times, Facebook, Pandora, CNN, and newer facial recognition apps are just some of the apps Google Glass users have access to with the device (20). Since Google Glass’s beginnings, it has won “The Best Invention of the Year 2012” and is now recognized as one of the most promising and innovative inventions in this generation (22).
The Google Empire 