Why I chose Google Glass, a one year perspective

Why I became an Explorer
A year ago today I got my invite to become an explorer. I had no idea where that journey would lead but I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to go on that journey. Today I'm proud to say I have no regrets.
It is quite convenient that on this anniversary Google is inviting anyone who is curious about the explorer program to have a go. Personally, I think those who already wanted to purchase Glass, already own it but as one of the first explorers, I think it's responsible for me to share some thoughts that may help you decide if you are on the fence.

Glass in my life
I wear Glass at least once a day at a minimum of 2 hours if not more. I'm primarily testing my app or walking my dog, or demoing for random strangers. In the year that I've owned Glass, I have had no bad experiences, just the occasional "are you recording me?" or "one of those Google Glass guys", there was also one occasion when a passenger aboard a plane shielded his face as I walked past. Outside of that, smooth sailing, people love Glass whether I'm in Berlin, Miami, Pamplona, Arlington, London, North Carolina even in San Fransisco I haven't had terrible experiences.

Glass is also relevant in my professional life, my +LynxFit team and I are building what we think is an innovative way to stay healthy, and I have certainly already made my return on my Glass investment a dozen times over.  
Finally, since acquiring this device, I've certainly explored my world, in a weird way, it's actually encouraged me to get outside more. Some highlights #throughglass  

• Flying a helicopter #throughglass 
• Dunking through the lens of Google Glass 
• Churros #throughglass, because delicious 
• Don't taunt the bulls at San Fermin 
• Riding home from work #throughglass 
• Tesla Model S Test Drive #ThroughGlass 
• Sookie Through Glass

Like many others, I saw the potential in my line of work and in my social life. How it looks doesn't play a role for me though I still think it looks pretty badass,  understand that eventually the looks may change.

Why should you get glass?  I get this question a lot and I always answer it the same way, if you fall into 2 of these 3 categories then consider it. Get glass if you are:

• a developer or a business with plans to build something innovative.
• a technophile or an enthusiast of wearable technologies and wants to be on the cutting edge of technology.
• financially sound and don't mind spending a lot of money on a beta product.

Outside of that, if you have any questions please let me know:
#askanexplorer  
See also Business Insiders "4 types of people who should buy Glass" http://www.businessinsider.com/4-types-of-people-who-should-buy-google-glass-2014-4

5 Secrets to Self Reinvention

Finding myself, I put a quick thought dump over at Medium

5 Secrets to Self Reinvention

1. Never settle.
2. Fear no Failures.
3. Try something new every 30 days.
4. My weakness can be my strongest attribute.
5. Give away the art.

Top 5 Travel Tips With Google Glass

Tip #1: Educate yourself on foreign laws. Also Glass with class.

Pay attention to the laws of the country you're visiting.  Some countries require consent before you take pictures of people.  The photo below is by +Liza Gere, a fellow Explorer.  On her recent travels through Germany she politely asked permission from the pilot to get a unique perspective of the cockpit.  Authorities in some other countries may not know what the laws are regarding this new wearable computer so be careful and aware.  

TSA & Customs: Coming back to the U.S.

One of the most stressful things about traveling abroad is going through TSA security and dealing with Customs when returning.  TSA is generally OK with Glass but make sure you take off the device, stow it in a travel case, and secure it before running it through the security check.  I have had an instance where I failed to properly secure my Glass device in the plastic containers.  As the container with my things emerged from the other end, the curtains swept my device onto the conveyor belt sending me into panic mode.  Airport security doesn’t like panicked passengers, especially when they are going on about a device named Glass being trapped in their equipment.  

Customs Border Enforcement is a no-camera area.  Meaning it’s a no-Glass-on-your-face-area.  It would be wise to remove the device and keep it in your bag.  Customs staff have a no-nonsense attitude about cameras and you don’t want to be in a position to explain you’re not recording..  Stow Glass, all phones, and cameras away before entering the customs area upon return.  

Tip #2: Wireless hotspots & battery juice packs - a match made in heaven

One fantastic feature of Glass is that it works offline, so you can capture moments even in the remote parts of the world.  There is infinitely more use for it when you’re traveling with an internet connection.  My Vodafone hotspot worked wonders in Europe, allowing me to take full advantage of Google Now, navigation and all of the Glass features.  It was a great investment and even a lifesaver.  

Get an external battery charger, maybe even two.  Keep those charged.  I bought a 11200mAh juice pack on Amazon before my trip and this kept my phone, my wireless hotspot and my Glass charged up for a few days with one full charge.  You can find a wireless hotspot at your destination and a juice pack at any local and online electronics retailer.  

Tip #3: OK Glass, record a video.

Remember that with Glass, your head and your neck become the swivel and your body is the tripod.  When capturing experiences on your travels, it’s important to remember to film or take pictures in a way to make it viewable.  Remember that the Glass camera is off center to your right so for perfect framing move a bit to the left of center.  It also has a wide field of view so position yourself as close or as far as makes sense for the type of shot you’re going for.  Are you still following along?  Good, here’s a video of making churros through Glass.  

Tip #4: Use Glass to bridge the language divide

Meet people and share the Glass experience with perfect strangers, regardless of language.  Actually, you can look at the reason why people are staring as an opportunity to approach a perfect stranger and answer any questions they may have about Glass.  Your audience is curious and you are, afterall, an Explorer.  You have an opportunity to try an earth shattering piece of technology before the world does, so share.  Luckily for you, Glass has the ability to translate if you are connected to the internet (see Tip #2).  Use this as a chance to experience different cultures in a way you’ve never done before.  

Tip #5: Always protect your Glass

Google Glass comes with a microfiber carrying case with a hard plastic insert at the base to protect Glass and your Glass accessories.  Though a bit bulky, this case should accompany you at all times.  Why?  Because in the event it rains or you need to take it off for some reason you then have somewhere to stow the device.  Storing your Glass in your purse or, in my case, a backpack may damage the nose pads or scratch something important.  Lastly, Glass (as you know) doesn’t fold neatly like your spectacles so keep tip #5 in mind and your carrying case nearby.  

Have fun and safe travels #throughglass.

Feel free to leave your top Glass travel tips in the comments below or read Exploring the World #throughglass to learn more about Noble’s recent trip to Spain.  

Exploring the World #ThroughGlass

I was safely sitting on a fence reserved for VIP’s at Telefónica.  Six bulls had just stampeded past leaving scores of pale faced runners on the floor, against walls, atop and beneath runners. I hopped down off the fence and began to walk amongst the crowd of exhilarated people picking themselves up from having accomplished one of the most thrilling things they’d ever attempted.  I had barely gone a few feet when a new set of screams errupted and people started running towards me.  Were more bulls heading in my direction?  Without time to react to that frightening thought, there they came, a new set of steer, a lot slower than the bulls, but barely 5 feet from me nonetheless.  I stood frozen as two steer came stumbling by, yet I somehow remembered to long-press my shutter button to record.

Something like this happens in the blink of an eye and can usually only be remembered through a memory or maybe a video if by chance you already have your camera recording.  I have it all captured on Glass.  

When I recently traveled to Spain to observe The Running of the Bulls, through Glass I felt reconnected with the world. Cell phones and cameras seem to take me out of the experience as it becomes about fishing out the device and making sure its stability and framing are right. In the process, I find I missed out on the experience. Glass is different.  Glass is part of me now and when I want to capture the moment, I effortlessly speak to share it with the world.

Glass is a testament to catching the fleeting yet memorable incidents that can make your trip something to talk about.  I have firsthand experience with one of its great benefits.

Traveling with Glass

It’s sad to admit that it took a trip to Europe to realize yet another killer feature of Glass. This time it’s not just the camera, it’s Google Now #throughglass. Waking up the morning of my trip, Glass had a reminder for me the second I put it on; my flight information (Gate, flight number) on one card and my flight time on the very next calendar card. The head up gesture after a notification became extremely handy as I lugged my luggage in one hand and my carry-on in another. I simply looked up and was reminded that my departure was in 10 minutes.

After getting to my destination, I was able to communicate in a language I don’t speak. Glass breaks down language barriers: “OK Glass, how much is €30.00 in dollars?” or “OK Glass, find the closest Forex Bureau.” “OK Glass, how do you say — ‘How much is the fare to Castillo de Gorráiz in Spanish?’”  This was an actual translation I used on my trip many times to different destinations.

It also made it easy to connect with natives. Glass is very noticeable. While taking in the sights in Navarra, I would often hear “Google Gafas” and then they’d gesture asking to try it on. This was the first time I felt truly connected with people I had neither met nor knew, in a country whose language I have never known nor spoken. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Spaniards loved “Google Gafas”.

After a recent trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen +Peter Teoh,  fellow Glass Explorer, gave a similar perspective on how Glass fosters new connections and starts conversations. He says, “Glass proved to be quite a good conversation starter. A big part of why I travel is to engage with people who live in places that I visit.” Glass makes this a win.

With translation, navigation, and information when you need it, Glass brings context and awareness to our travel experience. The explorer program was designed to have us test Google Glass in our own ways, and so what better way to do so than to travel to the ends of the earth while virtually connected to information and the people you love.

At the end of the day, Glass becomes an extension of you.  Your eyes are now augmented with the world you see and what you see should you choose to share by just speaking it. You will find yourself taking exponentially more of pictures and video or conducting more Hangouts without missing any important moments.  They are sometimes a little out of frame.  Other times, they are of fantastic perspectives you never realized.  And the rest…? Awkward pictures of yourself staring into the Glass camera as you demonstrate the device to an inquisitive native of where your inner explorer has taken you.  

Have fun and safe travels #throughglass

My photo highlights from Pamplona, Navarra  | Full photo album

Before you book your next trip with Glass, check out Noble’s Top 5 Travel Pro Tips.

Public Schedule

"Open" in the age of Google a rant

Open source development and production models has multiple definitions. Don't expect Google to change its current model to a traditional  Open Source model. That's not realistic in the age of open sourced consumer hardware gone mainstream. Perhaps Google should clearly define their approach to Open Source.

I'm dissapointed in the inconsistency with Google's open vs. closed policy like the next guy but I think journalists really need to do their homework before "retweeting" news rather than research. 

1. Honeycomb is a fork of regular Android Source.
2. Forked version has been released to select OEM's. Don't forget that just as any 3rd party can fork android into a proprietary or sell their release.
3. Android software stack has never been open (in the traditional bottom up sense). It always gets released once its baked. They claim Honeycomb isn't baked due to rush to compete with the iPad 2. 
4. For Application developers, the SDK was released months ago, when Google felt it was baked.
   
   Am I missing something?

The real issue here is that Google sets up this better than holy expectation of themselves and we all hold them up to it. But it is unrealistic and bad business to think Google will and should be truly open. Google needs to be a bit more forthright since for the sake of competition, service providers, manufacturers and content providers.

I personally trust that Google will continue blazing trails, bringing Open Sourced software to the mainstream no matter what definition of that "open" may be. The fact that I can jump on github and download the source of Android today, create drivers for some hardware and build a urinal with an embedded screen with the OS for FREE is amazing to me. I can't take that for granted.

Brings me back to journalist reporting the same garbage over and over again. I can't think of how the delay of one specific version (Honeycomb) of android hurts anyone. There currently isn't even a market for DIY tablets (which is what honeycomb is built for) also this is marketed and has been released to the Motorola's and Samsung's of the world. 
Calm down and enjoy your mass market plastic toys and leave the emotional attachment to stakeholders. Sheesh.


Read: 

• http://source.android.com/about/philosophy.html (Philosophy and Goals)
• http://source.android.com/source/licenses.html (licenses)

"Google loves to characterize itself as 'open' and iOS and iPhone as 'closed.' We find this a bit disingenuous and clouding the real difference between our two approaches," Jobs is quoted. more by Steve Jobs

Google needs a consistent culture for app roll outs

Apps are one reason we buy into today's device ecosystems.  They should be taken seriously by Google.


I have come to like the Google Reader App on my Android-based cell phone; when it first launched on Android 2.2, it was slow and buggy, but these issues were quickly patched. I had expected it to be as baked as the Gmail app or the Youtube app.

Then came Android 3.0, optimized for larger screens.  I took a look at the Market Place, but as this is a brand new platform,  there were a few tablet-centric apps from Google.  I know they are coming, but they should be here already, dammit. The promise was that older Android apps would scale fine,  and I bought that crap.  Sure, mobile-optimized apps would work on a larger screen, but when they would, they did so very poorly.
 
Shipping optimized versions of apps for screen sizes twice or thrice the size of a cell phone should be mandatory. Google understands this; they deployed 3.0, the tablet-y email, Youtube, and a few other core apps from the jump, like Androidify. Why did they not invest in building a full suite of tablet-centric apps by the time they went live with 3. 0?  For Christ's sake, there are two tablet-optimized apps on the Android Market from Google none are added value for buying an Android tablet.
As you can see from the snapshot in the picture, Google Reader renders poorly in 3.0.
Google Reader for Android 3.0 needs to be optimized for larger-screen devices.


Since Google Reader is one of the core services that sync right from the jump with your Gmail account on Android devices,  you'll have to expect as they rolled out Honeycomb on larger screens it would be part of the full suite of tablet-optimized apps.

Google accounts on Android sync with Books, Web, Calendar, Contacts, Email, Reader, Photos, Video, and soon Music. Reader, Docs, etc.,  should be part of this initial roll-out. 


This is a new type of problem, a little different from the days of Microsoft shipping bundled software like Microsoft Works.  This problem may be a good one in the new age of bridging your software platform ecosystem across interfaces of all sizes.
If Google is going to provide Android users seamless syncing of their photos,  news feeds,  social interactions, etc., at least ship with apps optimized for the screen size.

With the Android Market slated to grace Google TV screens "very soon,"  I would hope that some level of attention will be given to shipping with a suite of Google TV-native apps that gives developers inspiration and users solid features to get used to.

Originally written on Blogger for Android, which begs the question, where the HELL is Google Docs for Android tablets? Web? App? All the hoopla about focus on mobile and hiring frenzy and nothing to date? Bullshit.