32 QRCA VIEWS WINTER 2 014 www.qrca.org
n
TRENDS
n
More often than not, participants and
casual spectators are curious about
Google Glass, simply smiling with sur-
prise, or approaching wearers with ques-
tions about Glass, the most common one
being, "How do you like the device?"
Google Glass gets lots of buzz, and
while the "Explorer Edition" is now sold
online, it's still not sold in stores (at the
time of this writing). At around $1,500
USD, it is a small investment for added
research value.
Glass Etiquette
The time for identifying everyday eti-
quette with wearables was yesterday. But
some people are just not comfortable
with wearable technologies. Privacy is
also a real issue, especially in light of fre-
G
oogle Glass and other wearable mobile devices like smart-
watches and GoPro cameras are here, but don't panic. As
wearables make a splash in the mobile market, it is impor-
tant to explore the potential benefits of these new research
tools as they emerge.
By now, you've probably seen pictures of Google Glass, or perhaps you
know someone who let you try on or borrow a pair of this smart eyewear.
Google Glass is certainly one of the more prominent wearable devices that
society has come to know, fear, or despise. Admittedly, regular Glass wear-
ers can look like a cyborg, repeatedly swiping a pointer finger across the
side of the frame, glancing into space; it is an understandable perception.
There are also those people who abuse the device wearing it 24/7 under
the guise that everyone should know they are wearing Glass.
Google Glass
Wearables,
and You
By Shaili Bhatt
Research Director
n
C+R Research
n
Chicago, IL
n
shailib@crresearch.com
