It’s only a matter of time before the Google Glass gadget becomes a common sight on the world’s streets, and California-based Wink Optometry was chosen to be the first eyewear shop location where Google Glass can be experienced live and in person.
Wink’s location in sunny, affluent Calabassas hosted an introductory event Tuesday night to introduce locals to the new wearable technology and how the device fits into Wink’s fashion frames.
A small screw connects Google Glass to the eyewear frames (be they Rx lenses, RX sunglasses or basic sunglasses). A light, sturdy band wraps around the frames’ interior, securing them to the inside of the eyewear.
The glasses cannot be folded when Google Glass is attached, and the actual screen displaying Google Glass’ images and data does not tilt from its forward position.
Google had staff on hand to demo the prototypes of their Glass. Visitors looking to become one of Google’s Explorer program could take the device home for an initial sale price of $1,500.
The voice and touch controlled Android-based apps available for Google Glass load up via the free Glassware app. They’ve already been widely reported and let you tweet out a message, check the news, get directions, etc. But, developers are working on new apps while they work with Google to see what customers want their Glass to do.
Some companies are getting out ahead of the inevitable app tidal wave and are making their Glassware available now. Case in point? Swingbyte, the golf swing analyzer, just announced its new Google Glass app. Swingbyte for Glass allows golfers to view their data during a round or while at the range. The player’s swing data is immediately uploaded to the Swingbyte cloud, allowing players to review their swing history and data online on their mobile devices — hopefully leading to an improved game.
Swingbyte is the second golf-related app available on Google Glass. Glass pairs up with the less-than one-ounce Swingbyte device attached just under the grip of any golf club and syncs with the player’s Google Glass. Players can access swing speed, club face angle, swing path and other elements on Glassware and view a 360 degree look of their actual swing on the Swingbyte mobile app.
There’s no word yet on when Google Glass will move out of the Explorer stage and into the full retail marketplace. However, those doubters out there who aren’t eager to embrace such wearable tech need to realize something: Google Glass is coming. It’s going to be successful, and it’s going to change how we see and interact with the world.
