Google Glass may seem like something out of the future: a wearable computer that snaps photos and videos, lets you chat with people around the globe from anywhere, and provides answers to your questions as well as directions while you walk or drive. But Google is already providing thousands of prototypes to early adopters (for $1500 per unit), and the company hopes to ship Glass as a consumer product by the end of the year.

Joshua Topolsky, editor of The Verge, got a chance to spend some time with Google Glass, and a few of the people responsible for the product and he reports that they’re targeting a 2013 release date.

Google Glass
Google Glass is designed to be worn like a pair of glasses, putting a small transparent display just above your eye. It lets you see notifications and other information at a glance without taking your attention away from the things you’re doing.

In other words, you can look at directions without bumping into people on the street while staring at your phone.

Ironically, that means that this incredibly noticeable machine that’s designed to always be on your face is actually designed to let you use technology less, not more. The idea is that instead of taking your attention away from the world around you the way a smartphone can do, Google Glass is designed to fit technology into your daily interactions with the world.

You can use it to record moments, find information when you need it, or even answer the phone, respond to text messages, or engage in video chats without fumbling for the phone in your pocket.

Glass can connect to the internet over your home or work WiFi connection. When you’re on the go, it pairs with your smartphone — Glass has built-in GPS, but not cellular capabilities. It’s not designed to replace your phone, but to compliment it.

You won’t necessarily need an Android phone to use Glass when away from WiFi. According to The Verge, it will work with an iPhone as well.

As of February, 2013, Google Glass is still an expensive prototype that’s only available to a limited number of individuals. But if Google starts mass producing and selling Glass later this year — and if the company can convince the general public that the product’s worth the price (whatever the final price might be), Glass could change the way we interact with our mobile devices… and with the world around us.

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10 replies on “Google Glass could ship as a consumer product by end of 2013”

  1. Pass, don’t want to look lame wearing one. Worse than putting a 4.5″+ phablet to your ear.

  2. How does it (or will it) work if I already wear prescription glasses. Am I SOL?

    1. They are working with lens manufacturers to make compatible glasses, additionally only one screw holds it to the current frame, so you could easily hack it on to your current glasses most likely.

  3. Do you really want a cell phone against you head 14-18 hrs a day? Did’t I read where bone density reduction occurred on hips of those who had cell phones in their pockets all day. My skull is thin enough and I’m also dumb enough already thank you very much. Google you need to spend some of the $B’s on health effects research not expect you customers to be unsuspecting bata testers.

      1. How are you going to get real time information, make calls, receive calls, without 4G are you kidding everything is getting 4g even my toaster is getting it. That’s so like 2012. Don’t tell me they are not marketing it as totally connected device. Its demos i’ve seem to indicate 4g connectivity.

        1. it makes us of the the android phone or iphone cellular service capabilities

    1. Good argument, except it’s not a phone and it doesn’t work with GSM technology. That’s like saying any wireless headset or headphone will fuck your brain.

      1. There was a study that showed WiFi signals killed sperm when placed next to a notebook. Of course, it didn’t have the protection of a human body.

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