Disruptive Technology – Google Glass

An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail. ~ Edwin Land

For this blog post, I was asked to explain how Google Glass or SixthSense are disruptive technologies.  I selected Google Glass because I heard about it on the news and wanted to learn about this innovation.  The first thing I did was Google “What happened to Google Glass?”  According to Reynolds (2015) and Marks (2015), the reason Google Glass failed to draw interest was due to poor marketing.  People did not understand what the device did and it was awkward to wear the device.  Furthermore, it was an expensive product costing the consumer $1500 to get one, and people could not figure out where to buy it (Reynolds, 2015).  Therefore, Google pulled the product from the market to research and develop a better version of Google Glass (Reynolds, 2015).  It is a shame that the public did not accept this product because the majority of people that used it enjoyed the experience.  For instance, I found two reviewers on YouTube that would recommend this innovation to their viewers:

EMKWAN (2014)

The Unlockr (2014)

What is Google Glass?

 

Google Glass Image (Purcell, D., 2014)

Google Glass is a device worn like glasses that links up with your phone to the Internet.  A small screen on the glasses gives the user information concerning the time, weather, flight information, directions, etc.  The user can research anything by either voice recognition technology or the mouse-like side of the glasses that allow the user to scroll and move through menus and screens.  Furthermore, the user can take pictures and videos with Google Glass and instantly share that information with their contacts or the world.

What is a Disruptive Technology?

A disruptive technology is one that replaces another technology because it works better or is less expensive to operate than the replaced innovation (Laureate Education, Inc., 2014).   Google Glass could replace watches, individual navigation systems, phones, and cameras, but probably will not.  Google Glass is meant to enhance a person’s technological experience (Li, 2014).  In other words, the user will no longer need to type commands and look up data on multiple devices.  Instead, Google Glass will do the work for the user through voice commands.  Part of the reason Google Glass will not truly be disruptive is the fact that the device requires a smartphone or Wi-Fi access to link to the Internet.  Until that Internet problem is fixed, perhaps with a cellular radio (Li, 2014), the device cannot be a disruptive technology. 

What is the Future of Google Glass?

There currently is no release date for an updated version of Google Glass for the average person.  However, Marks (2015) reports that Google Glass is currently available for commercial use.  For example, doctors use this technology to record patient data, and paramedics use the device to help diagnose patients.  Moreover, the device is by using other industries to help make their work hands-free (Marks, 2015).  Hopefully, Google quickly finds a way to fix the issues with Google Glass so that everyone has the chance to utilize this fascinating innovation!

References:

EMKWAN. [Screen name].  (2014, March 29).  Living with Google glass (review) [Video file].  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HS161sdheI

Laureate Education, Inc.  (Producer). (2014).  David Thornburg:  Disruptive technologies [Video file].  Baltimore, MD:  Author.

Li, A.  (2014).  Eyes to the future:  Will Google glass replace your smartphone?  In Techtainian.  Retrieved from http://techtainian.com/news/2014/3/10/eyes-to-the-future-can-googles-glass-replace-all-the-mobile-technology-in-your-life

Marks, G.  (2015, February 2).  How Google saved Google glass.  In Forbes.  Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2015/02/02/how-google-saved-google-glass/2/

Purcell, D.  (2014, January 29).  Google glass – the definition of live [Digital image].  In Liberty voice.  Retrieved from http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/google-glass-the-definition-of-live/

Reynolds, S.  (2015, February 5).  Why Google glass failed:  A marketing lesson.  In Forbes.  Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/siimonreynolds/2015/02/05/why-google-glass-failed/

The Unlockr.  [Screen name].  (2014, March 2).  Google glass 2.0 complete walkthrough [Video file].   Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCu6Um4H4I