Google Glass makes TIME magazine’s best inventions of 2012 (but not mine)
For those that missed it, TIME magazine recently unveiled their picks for the best inventions of 2012. The list was filled with the usual assortment of techfoolery, ranging from makerbots, to home HIV tests, to even the Mars Curiosity Rover. Pretty big stuff, I know.
Google Glass
One such invention hitting the higher $600 – $3,000 tier was Google’s very own Google Glass. While I understand that not everything that made the list is actually “consumer” ready technology, I found it interesting that aside from a few Googlers and a fancy concept video — no one outside of Google has really even used Google Glass (well, aside from Gavin Newsom and Diane von Furstenberg). There have been a few pictures posted from the device on Google+, but a head-mounted camera unit is far from “invention of the year” material, and really, only a small portion of what Google Glass is supposed to bring.
All About Augmented Reality
Remember, it’s Google Glass’ ability to shape our world through the use of augmented reality that’s the real draw. Maps, contacts, games, emails — all of that information superimposed in the real world around you via a voice-controlled HUD. This is the stuff that Android dreams are made of. This is what Google Glass truly is. Let’s just hope Google (and the rest of us) don’t lose sight of that.
Glass Falls Short
Before you get the wrong idea, I’m not hating on Glass. I honestly believe it will be another truly wonderful innovation from Google and one that could change the way we interact with the world. And that sorta stuff doesn’t happen all the time. Still, as of right now, from what we’ve seen of Google Glass — it’s nothing more than a chastity camera strapped to your head. Hardly “best invention” material. Not yet anyway. My pick for best Google invention of 2012? The self-driving Google car. By a long shot.
The Promise of More
Google Glass should be ready for primetime in 2014, and we at Phandroid are more than excited to get our hands on it. So excited, that we actually signed up for 3 pairs of the $1,500 Google Glass at Google I/O developers conference earlier this year (the one where Sergery Brinn demoed Glass by jumping out of an airplane). Personally, I have reasonably high hopes for the platform, and it’s something I absolutely can’t wait to get my eyes on. I just want to see the damn interface already.
[TIME]