Google Creating Scarcity:
Today (April 15; Tax Day!) a limited number of Google’s smart glasses will be available for purchase but only for U.S. residents. That’s right, only today you can buy these lovely stylish glasses for a mere $1,500. and you don’t have to be one of Google’s chosen few in their ‘Explorer Program‘.
Google Glass. Fashion + Function.
On a humorous note, nothing says elitism more than these White Men Wearing Google Glass as a Tumblr response to all the early adopters and made it as 45 Best Tumblr 2013. You see, previous purchasers of the Google Glasses had to have been referred by friends to purchase the glasses, and they tended to be developers and social media influencers. Google is aware of it’s “Glasshole” reputation of users who are misusing or not displaying social etiquette and have come up with their own guideline. I personally enjoyed reading Scott Biddle of ValleyWag humorous ‘Do’s & Don’t’ list for Glass Explorers that helps us poor souls from becoming alienating socialpaths!
Will Samsung Differentiate Into the Sports Market?
Samsung’s Heads-up Display
More manufacturers are entering the wearable market which helps propel the quantified-self movement where all one’s personal self-tracking data is stored and displayed for analysis. Samsung has entered the heads-up display eye wear market along with their smart watches. It wouldn’t be surprising if (soon) the Samsung watches had microsensors on the back to collect heart rate / pulse and have that data displayed on their glasses & watches or any other mobile device. These patent eyewear images are described as having ear pieces for listening to music, but may also display auditory alerts while exercising (perfect for adopting use with exercise apps such as RunKeeper).
The Cardo BK-1 headset is an excellent product
I love the idea of having an ear piece to assist with situational awareness. As a road cyclist I constantly worry about safety; communicating the hazards on the road while riding with others is a very important part of cycling. Cyclists have developed hand signals to demonstrate potholes on broken asphalt, road barriers, open car doors and other potential hazards but also when riding as a group we will alert riders behind us of our actions (if we are slowing or stopping). The Cardo BK-1 headset isn’t part of my eye wear, it attaches to my helmet, but I can understand the great value Google Glass and Samsung sport glasses would have if they integrate an intercom unit to their ear piece. It seems, at least for now, the above wearables are going after a different market, but I enjoy the interception between fashion, sport and utility of a product. The function of the product must be comfortable and practical, but also have a decent price point in order for me to get excited and for mass market appeal.