The eagerly awaited arrival in Ukraine of Google Glass, the web giant's controversial hardware device, is late as usual.
Google‘s
hspectacle-like optical device that
allows users to see the latest news or weather forecast has been sold so far to around 40,000 individuals
in the U.S. who had to pay as much as $1,500 for the device, precipitating a number of myths.
The product’s official webpage says the device is still unavailable in Ukraine, although various
Ukrainian websites offer to sell it as soon as it’s released. However, locally produced fake Google Glasses are available for
less than $1,000. They feature almost all the functions of the Google’s official product,
but have nothing to do with the company.
Ostap Andrusiv
from Lviv, who was an early Google Glass explorer, says the device still
has many bugs that need to be fixed. “Google Glass is a great idea, but is performing
badly. At least for now”, he admits.
A research & development engineer at Eleks, a software company in Lviv, Andrusiv is a
co-founder of Google Developers Group Lviv. He says that although the device can translate, take pictures, shoot videos and serve as a GPS
navigator, be synchronized with a smartphone and use mobile apps, it retains some basic flaws.
“The
battery does not work for long and you can hardly use the device for a day,”
he says. “Besides, sometimes you cannot even see, because
everything is out of focus and the glasses distract you.”
This can be
the problem when driving, so the programmer recommends against using the device
in a car.
The language
barrier can be a problem for some users too. “You use the device by
saying: “Ok, Glass, do something,” comments Andrusiv. “But if your English is bad or you have a strong accent, the Glass may not
understand you.”
For now,
Google Glass supports English only, since it aims to conquer the American market
first. “Most users who already have Glass reside in the U.S.,” the programmer explains. “And since there is a limited production number,
it is very difficult for outsiders to get it. But the harder it is – the more
people want it.”
Still, some
people find it hard to use the Glass. Andrusiv says it works much
better with a smartphone than as a stand-alone device.
Ostap Andrusiv speaks on Google Glass during the Lviv Mobile Development Day in 2013. © StartupLviv YouTube channel
“To many
people, Glass looks like something from the Robocop movies,” says the software engineer. “And that is the exact reason why many people want to get
it.”
The
company is relying on brand loyalty to ensure customers are ready to pay for
pretty much anything with Google on it, serious users won’t be satisfied with the product. Google should look for a way to make the product’s usefulness, not its brand, its selling point, Andrusiv emphasizes.
He believes
the Google Glass may create a major hardware trend, but needs at least a
five-year plan. “It has a long way to go before it’s perfect, and
for now it is still more of a toy than a real tool.”
Meanwhile, smart watches are Google Glass’ main competitors in the wearable tech market.
“I
believe that the future will be about having one device do all,” says
Andrusiv. “So we have to develop something like a smart watch or a glass
that will be like a computer and a phone altogether.”
Obviously,
people don’t want to have too many devices on them.
“Do you
know why people buy Samsung’s Galaxy Note?” the tech developer asks.
“It’s because it sort of combines a tablet and a phone.”
It could be
that in five years people won’t be using the phones anymore, Andrusiv
concludes.
Editor’s Note: The story has been updated on Dec. 15 to clarify the number of people who purchased the Google Glass as well as facts on the availability of the product on the global market.
Kyiv Post staff writer Anna Romandash can be
reached at [email protected]. The Kyiv
Post’s IT coverage is sponsored by AVentures Capital, Ciklum, FISON and SoftServe.
