What do they do?

With smart glasses, for the very first time ever, you are able to capture the world around you exactly as you see the world.  Not as anyone else sees the world, but you as your unique self.

With one click smart glass users are able to take photos.  With a longer hold a user can record video.  Capturing exactly what you are seeing.  Then if you wish to play music, you can also play music through your glasses and amazingly not disturb others around you.  By swiping the frame of your glasses you can adjust the volume. 

A great gadget with image, video and audio capability all built in. Gone are the early prototypes which looked a bit clunky.  This new generation of Smart Glasses, offers you style and comfort.  Top sunglass brand Ray Ban is currently one retailer for this wearable device in collaboration with Meta.

Having spent your day with and through your Smart Glasses, you may be wondering how do you download what has been captured.  To do this, connect to the Meta View app via Bluetooth. The MetaView app should already be installed on your device, and your glasses should have been setup and paired. The day’s imagery will then be downloaded onto your device.

Considerations

As human beings we will use the tech in ways that the original designers did not think of, unfortunately, some of these ways will not be beneficial.  A few things that sprung to my mind immediately were:

• Privacy – how do we now prevent a new version of “upskirting”
• How do we prevent a person going into a public changing room and recording what they see?
• How do we prevent recording of concerts/cinema shows and other events to protect copyright
• Are there any health risks, from having even more wearable technology on oneself? Should there be time limits to how much low frequency radiation we expose ourselves to?
• Could the glasses be used in additional criminal activity?
• Are Smart glasses yet another gadget being added to the worlds growing eWaste problem?
• Are they actually needed?

I am sure you will have your own questions, which I would love to hear in the comments. For me, after discussing the matter with family and friends lots of concerns were raised, but then lots of positives.

Benefits

Beyond being the latest gadget and all in time to capitalise upon Christmas 2023.  What are the possible benefits of Smart Glasses? Lets take a look:

• Smart Glasses in Healthcare 
• Underserved groups in society can benefit through increased accessibility – for example through supporting people with visual impairment, and “giving” seeing and hearing support
• Hands free technology – freeing users up to do other things, for example you can take calls while doing something else. Additionally, with hands free technology, I am curious to see how and if it is adopted in the workplace. Can Smart glasses change work as we know it and lead to boosted productivity?
• Richer human experiences, for example, capturing the world exactly as you see it on a second by second basis. This is unlike the way anyone else sees your world
• Create a video diary of your day and perhaps share this as new content. Possibly this is a new way of vlogging that we will see emerging, as we will be able to livestream from our very own eyes in every detail

Additionally, as a former teacher, I always think of the educational aspects and how education could possibly be changed/have to adapt.  We have already seen issues around students using smart watches and other recording material in the classroom.  This now extends to areas such as Smart Glasses.

As more functionality is added to Smart Glasses, they can be adapted into classroom settings, enabling students to have a richer learning experience, around collaboration with others, interaction and engagement.  There is perhaps a whole unit of work to be possibly written around embedding Smart Glass into your teaching!

My final thoughts

I am still deciding whether “I need” a pair of smart glasses.  My experience was great, but I am not sure if I want any more wearable tech.  Also the price point of roughly £299 for Ray Ban Smart glasses is a bit steep and a bit more if you have them with a prescription.  I am not sure how this truly helps in bridging the digital divide.  However, there are other smart glasses fast emerging at accessible price points, some saying they are better at audio, better at streaming etc.  I guess the “Smart Glasses” race is wide open and there is not a clear winner at the moment.

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