Google Glass Still One Year Away

The high-tech glasses that allow wearers to view navigation data and record video won't be available to the wider public for another year. According to Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt, Google Glass won't reach the market until sometime in 2014.

"We've just started distributing it to the first developers," Schmidt recently noted in an interview with the BBC.

"It's fair to say there will be thousands in use over the months and there will be changes made based on feedback. But it's fair to say it's a year-ish away." (Source: computerworld.com)

That's disappointing news given the incredible buzz created by Google Glass in the past few months.

High-Tech Frames Project Wide Range of Information

If you're not familiar with the technology, the special frames project information before the wearer. That means Google Glass can be used to get directions to your next location, view the time, and check email and text messages.

But that's not all: you can also use Google Glass to take pictures, record video, and then send photos and movies to friends, family, and colleagues.

Even though Google Glass is a year away, some lucky folks are getting the chance to try the technology out. Google recently distributed early models of Google Glass to developers who will be working on building new applications for the device.

In addition, about 8,000 other people, who Google is calling "Explorers," have been chosen to test the Google Glass technology in real-life situations.

In order to become an Explorer, applicants needed to produce a creative testimonial explaining why they deserved to be among the first group of people to try out the device. That meant outlining what they would do with the hardware if they were chosen to be an Explorer.

Google has established at least one clear rule for Explorers: don't sell your Google Glass.

Schmidt Addresses Privacy Concerns

The Explorer applications have helped to generate lots of excitement around Google Glass. However, the technology remains controversial. In his interview with the BBC, Schmidt admitted that Google Glass will open up new discussions about privacy.

"In general, these kinds of body-wear devices will bring about a whole bunch of such concerns," Schmidt said.

"The fact of the matter is we'll have to develop a whole new social etiquette. It's obviously not appropriate to wear these glasses in situations where recording is not correct. We already have these situations with phones." (Source: zdnet.com)