A Close Look at Google Glass

365Playground’s Paddy Mangunta (Online Communications) guest blogs about her experience using one of 2014’s hottest tech items — Google Glass.

When Google Glass was first announced, even the biggest tech lovers (such as myself!) had questions, concerns and doubts. So I was thrilled to have an opportunity to attend Google’s event at their New York headquarters last week, introducing their foray into new designer frames and prescription lenses.

But first, if you’re not familiar with the magic of Google Glass, a quick rundown below. This was my first opportunity to test out Glass for myself and I had a ton of questions for Google employees at the event:

Once you put on a pair of Google Glass, you use your finger as a sort of mouse, tapping and sliding the side of the frames in order to choose different options. You can also use voice commands, and nodding your head can be used to turn Glass on and off (this was slightly annoying, but apparently this function can be adjusted). These functions also help alleviate the privacy concerns of many people — for instance, no one can take a photo of you without indicating it in some way (finger or voice command).

Your screen on Glass is located in the top right corner of your glasses and line of vision. The screen itself isn’t large and once you accustom yourself to the sensation, stops being a distraction from speaking to the person in front of you.

Adding to the questions about functionality have been questions about style. No matter how wonderful (or not) the concept of Google Glass, at the end of the day we want to wear them with style. Now, Google introduces its Titanium Collection, with four new extra-light titanium frames as well as two new styles of twist-on shades.

After testing each style out I can attest to their lightweight feel — and loved the new designs! Each is fun and modern, and while choices are limited at the moment, Google promises more designs are on their way.

For boutique hotels who truly want to promote a higher standard for their customers, Google Glass is by far the most cutting edge in wearable technology. The hospitality industry is already considering the best ways to use Glass to help improve the guest experience. Plus, for guests using Glass, there is absolutely no better way to capture their experience “as it happens”.

There’s much more to come from Glass, but it is certainly off to an amazing start!