Research- google glass

Research task- Google Glass

I have been looking at Google glass i have looked at video's , newspaper articles , online blogs and website reviews. Was released early to developers worldwide, it was then released early in America for customers, however the product was sold for $1500 however only a limited number of products were available 1 month later they were then released in the UK which again were available for  £1000 and only a certain number of products were available. the Google glass connect to a smart phone and use the "My Google glass "app in order to use the Google glass as it has no built in cellular receiver in order to access data. the case had lead to a large amount of controversy due to privacy concerns. This research task will shows the benefits and disadvantages of Google glass. Google glass is presented in different ways from the brand it is presented in a positive angle whereas by consumers and other media institutions it is shown in a negative angle.

here is an example of the first release of the the google to the public by google;

The narrative of the video is showing how Google glass can be integrated in to daily life, the fact that it’s being used in sky diving also suggests that Google glass is rugged and strong. The video shows people putting on the glass which gives the general public a first time view to see what the product looks like. The video continues by showing POV( point of view shots) shots of the sky divers setting up and getting ready for the jump. As the narrative continues it shows the POV shot of the driver in free fall showing the potential of the device. This helps people to be able to think of the product possibilities of the product however at this point the google glass is still generic as the video suggests that only videos can be recorded. The song used in the video is call we were promised Jetpacks which suggests that Google are showing they have introduced something new that audiences will “fall for” which is created through the chorus of the song. The song starts of slow as there is a build up to the main scene of where the actors jump out of the helicopter and once they have jumped the music then speeds up and volume of the music also increases.

The genre of the video is advertisement/ informative as the video helps introduce and promote the Google product. Iconic features throughout this video is the first view of the video but also the Google logo which is a well know brand and helps audiences to be able to establish the brand straight away.

The media institution is Google, and is commercial brand which suggests that this brand is selling something rather than informing the audience. The audience for the product seems that is aimed as middle-aged professionals based on the people that are used, however the product is not limited to one age, gender or race of people it is designed for everyone. Although the name Google glass suggest that it aimed at people who were glasses this is a misconception as the Google glass has no glass lenses but only a rectangle prism which is placed in front of the right eye. 

here is an example of review of a video fond on Youtube answering 3 of the mains questions that have been associated with Google glass which are;

• what is Google glass?
• what does it do?
• what does it look like when wearing it?

Here are 2 examples of newspapers that have shown concern with the product at such as early stage.

1st link;

http://www.voanews.com/content/privacy-concerns-raised-about-google-glass/1710061.html

The first link is from the voice of america , the newspaper article looks at the concerns of spying as it has a camera built in which can be used to record and take pictures. However Chris dale from Google argued that although there is a concern the camera is activated by a an explicit gesture or say a command out loud which means that let people know that a picture of a video is being taken.

2nd link;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2335743/One-people-want-Google-Glass-banned-privacy-concerns-claims-study.html

The next article looks at the daily mail which is a newspaper based in the UK a test was conducted in surrey to allows users to be able to use and see the Google glass. Survey found that 4000 adults found that 20% of people think that google glass and other wearable technology should be banned.

T3- The gadget website

T3 is a non-biased website which shows the latest technology looking at the benefits as well as disadvantages that can come from new technology. Also T3 look at technology through all specs in order to help give the customers an insight of the latest and potentially most successful technology products for the general public.

T3 looks at a the size and build of Google glass it also go through the display of Google glass , the controls, features , Apps , directions ,Google now ,text messaging ,searching , privacy concerns, software updates and an overall verdict on the Google glass.
http://www.t3.com/reviews/google-glass-review

T3- also on 28th January 2014 revealed that Google glasses can not be combined with prescription lenses, which means that more customers have access to the be able to wear the Google Glass but more importantly to be able to make it part of their daily life.
http://www.t3.com/news/google-glass-prescription-lenses-now-available

T3- have also reported that the US Air force and NYPD( New York police department) have been trialing the Google glass and seeing how it could help them in there daily jobs but if it can help improve services.

http://www.t3.com/news/us-air-force-testing-google-glass
http://www.t3.com/news/nypd-trialling-google-glass  

T3- have also reported that a US women had also been arrested for wearing the Google glass while driving however the women stated that the intital reason for being pulled over was for speeding and then the officer noticed the Google glass which was fined. however arguments have also came across of if the Google glass was on or not but also is it distracting for drivers.