Staff Writer
On
the morning of October 5, North Carolinians looked into the future; the future
being a pair of glasses.
The
Google Glass kicked off its first tour of America in Durham that morning, where
hundreds turned out to get their hands on a product with the potential to
revolutionize the smart-device industry.
Google
calls their new glasses “lightweight and comfortable… and less obnoxious than
looking down at a smartphone.” With the new device, users’ homescreens are whatever they are looking at. It is also mostly hands free, with the glasses
operating on voice commands to perform the majority of its functions, including
sending messages, searching the web, and even taking photos.
The
Glass has been met with mostly positive consumer reviews. Professional reviews,
however, point out its many flaws, like its fragile interface and its low
battery life. Critics have also pointed out the Glass’ awkward command system
which requires you to give voice commands or tilt your head to perform certain
tasks, which can be disconcerting, especially in social situations.
The
product is due to be released sometime in 2014, with prices starting at around
$1500.
