Google Glass - Emerging Tech

Google Glass:

Google Glass is an incredibly innovative piece of technology which exemplifies the current trend of wearable technology which has arisen of late. Yet in many ways, Google glass represents a disruptive technology since it helped create the growing interest in immersive wearable technology. Prior to Google glass, heads up displays were already being seen in consumer products as evidenced by the number of car companies which have utilized the technology in their vehicles to display dashboard information such as speed and mileage. However, that technology had not truly been brought to a wearable consumer device until Google Glass. For this reason, Google Glass can be considered disruptive technology since there was no market for such innovative consumable wearable technology until Google Glass broke into the scene.Though it hasn’t completely done so, I think it is on the way of replacing bluetooth headsets for phones that are worn on/behind the ear. The hands-free capability of Google Glass and the ability to conduct many tasks equitable to those done on a computer or smartphone makes Google Glass very desirable and keeps the consumer connected without having to use a phone. However, there is also some possible negative social implications such as the concern of a loss of privacy with Google Glass being able to record, without the surrounding people knowing about it since there is no discernible camera. I do not know how long it will be before another technology replaces Google Glass but I do feel Google Glass is just barely emerging and has a lot of growth left before it becomes obsolete.  

The Rhymes of History - Wearable Technology and Health

According to Mark Twain, history doesn't repeat itself but it rhymes a lot (Laureate, 2014). In some ways, this can be reflected in emerging technologies because the existence of that technology can cause historical moments and practices to be rekindled. One such example can be found in the wearable technology (Fitbits and Apple Watch) that is rising in popularity. According to the CDC, over 1/3 of U.S. Adults are obese and there has been a dramatic increase in these rates in the last 20 years ("Facts", 2014). However, wearable technology has reinvigorated a healthy focus and brought back a focus on being in shape and fit which was prevalent in historical times. Yes, jobs were more labor intensive in the past and there was lees technology that automized movement, but historically people were more fit. Wearable technology such as the Fitbit and the new Apple Watch allows the wearer to keep track of his calorie intake and burn levels, and even sleep patterns. Having access to this information will motivate and help users become more mindful of their decisions and how those choices affect elements of their health. Making users more health conscious will help them become more healthy and being more healthy is becoming more popular since wearable devices such as fitbands are expected to make 24 million in sales by 2015 and 45 million by 2017 ("Wearing it Well", 2014).

References:

Facts. (2014, September 03). Retrieved October 08, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/facts.html

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014). David Thornburg: Six forces that drive emerging technologies [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Wearing it well: The healthcare potential of wearable technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 09, 2014, from http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/wearing_it_well_the_potential_of_wearable_technology_in_healthcare_589546