News - Google Glass Explorer open beta comes to UK

[HEXUS]

The wearable tech costs £1000 in the UK.

Read more.

[Jowsey]

With the American price being $1500 (roughly £850) and VAT on that being £170 we have finally got a bit of a bargain!!! By about £20 but I'll take it!

[slipthemonkey]

Although there is something quite cool about the idea of Google glass, I can't get past the fact you just look like a bit of an idiot wearing them and I don't want to pay £1000 to look like an idiot, I can do that quite easily for free.

[Pob255]

Who remembers when beta meant that and not "pay us for the privilege of testing something for us"?
And how is this "open"?

[crossy]

Although there is something quite cool about the idea of Google glass, I can't get past the fact you just look like a bit of an idiot wearing them and I don't want to pay £1000 to look like an idiot, I can do that quite easily for free.

My opinion too. When it gets down to the £300-400 mark I might be interested, but at that price - especially for a "beta tester" - then "no sale".

The comment about driving is interesting. I would have thought that being able to monitor speed and get driving directions while keeping your eyes pointed outside would have been a positive safety aspect. The number of times that I've been in one of those "safer" average speed camera zones and either nearly been rammed or had to brake suddenly because folks panic!

Of course you can pretty much guarantee that some brain donor will try and watch a film on these while driving. Cinemas should ban these altogether.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

ive already tried these and the battery life is terrible

[aramil]

The comment about driving is interesting. I would have thought that being able to monitor speed and get driving directions while keeping your eyes pointed outside would have been a positive safety aspect. The number of times that I've been in one of those "safer" average speed camera zones and either nearly been rammed or had to brake suddenly because folks panic!
.

According to talks between Google & DfT it is currently illegal to wear/use & drive/ride with G.G.

" The DfT had previously raised concerns that the wearable tech could prove a distraction to drivers.

That is still the case, but a government spokesman revealed that the search firm was investigating ways to allow drivers to legally use Glass while on UK roads- possibly by restricting the information it displays mid-journey.

Drivers must give their full attention to the road, which is why it has been illegal since the 1980s to view a screen whilst driving, unless that screen is displaying driving information," said the spokesman."

"There are no plans to change this and we have met with Google to discuss the implications of the current law for Google Glass.

"Google is anxious its products do not pose a road safety risk and is currently considering options to allow the technology to be used in accordance with the law.""

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27926352

[jimborae]

ive already tried these and the battery life is terrible

Ditto!

Also wrt the comment "I would have thought that being able to monitor speed and get driving directions while keeping your eyes pointed outside would have been a positive safety aspect." I get what the poster is saying but in reality I find you actually have to look slightly upwards and really focus on the image to be able to to read it so in fact it's more distracting than having to glance occasionally at a sat nav screen.

[Percy1983]

Is it just me who thinks if I was walking around with that on I would be mugged for it in less than a week?

[virtuo]

Is it just me who thinks if I was walking around with that on I would be mugged for it in less than a week?

Location: Manchester

Quite likely

[Sy7ygy]

Pay us to data mine.

No thank you, Google are done for.

[Brewster0101]

Well for £1000 for something that might be beta but also will be revolutionary in the progression of technology seems like a bargain to me for those who delve into this kind of thing.

They are a turning point , much like mobile phones were.

[azrael-]

Well for £1000 for something that might be beta but also will be revolutionary in the progression of technology seems like a bargain to me for those who delve into this kind of thing.

They are a turning point , much like mobile phones were.

Well, they turn me off...

[crossy]

Also wrt the comment "I would have thought that being able to monitor speed and get driving directions while keeping your eyes pointed outside would have been a positive safety aspect." I get what the poster is saying but in reality I find you actually have to look slightly upwards and really focus on the image to be able to to read it so in fact it's more distracting than having to glance occasionally at a sat nav screen.

I'd forgotten about the refocusing issue (and I thought they'd changed that). Remember reading something from one of the Explorers saying that they ended up with ferocious headaches because of the (constant?) need to change focus from virtual to real world.

I'm not sure I'd be as "pro" as Brewster101. If this is the "next greatest thing" then it's akin to those 80's style "bricks" and the final iteration of the tech will be different. If asked to place a bet then I'd say some kind of induction powered "smart contact lenses". And while I can see the use for head mounted displays, the head mounted camera etc does nothing for me (my works laptop has tape over the camera and I've never taken a selfie).

[Pob255]

I'd forgotten about the refocusing issue (and I thought they'd changed that). Remember reading something from one of the Explorers saying that they ended up with ferocious headaches because of the (constant?) need to change focus from virtual to real world.

I'm not sure it's something you can "fix" because it's more to do with how the human eye works not the device, in part it's focal change and part having to look to the upper right with the eyeball and you're only doing it with one eye (esp the focal length change)
Both are controlled by muscles and nether are that natural, yes you can look in directions with your eyes but the way we do it is normally only in quick glances, if you normally want to pay attention to something not directly ahead of you initially swivel your eyes to it then turn your head.
Your eye muscles would probably start to adapt over time but there's the theoretical risk of over doing it and giving yourself the equivalent of rsi of the eyeball

I'm not sure I'd be as "pro" as Brewster101. If this is the "next greatest thing" then it's akin to those 80's style "bricks" and the final iteration of the tech will be different. If asked to place a bet then I'd say some kind of induction powered "smart contact lenses". And while I can see the use for head mounted displays, the head mounted camera etc does nothing for me (my works laptop has tape over the camera and I've never taken a selfie).

contact lenses, bah!, I say get rid of the screen and just wire the feed directly into the optic nerve . . . although I'm not sure I'd trust google inside me head.