Google Glass is a fairly new technology allowing people to do many things right before their eyes. Just by wearing a pair of eyeglasses, you can take pictures, video, search the web, ask questions, and get directions. The glasses have a small screen in the corner of the frame. In order to operate Glass, there’s a piece that goes over your ear that you tap for information. With just two words, “Okay, Glass”, you can start whatever you’re asking it to do. Google Glass has some amazing features, but there are still a few problems with the technology.

   Google Glass has extreme potential in helping out the government for different reasons. It could end up replacing hand-written reports, since photography and video are more reliable than anything. Also, Glass could be very useful for police purposes, having the ability to document every moment. An article written by Benjamin Kabin acknowledges that “the technology could be used to check criminal databases, warrants, and mug shots, record events, and be integrated with facial recognition technology.” This is a great point. Google Glass would be extremely helpful in this department because of its abilities. This technology could possibly change the ways of the world.

   Would you want to have Google Glass in a classroom? This would allow teachers to see things through their students’ eyes. Emanuella Grinberg reports that “they’re capturing videos and images of classroom activities through a small camera built into Glass’ frame, and sharing them online. They’re propping glasses on students, and using the footage and images from young people to understand what they see and how they learn.” I think this could be very useful. For instance, if a student is absent during class, they can just go online and see what they missed through another classmate’s eyes. This also enables teachers to see how their students are doing, so maybe they can make adjustments to the way they teach or explain things differently. Although there are positives to having Glass in class, there are some negatives concerning parents. The videos taken from the classroom are then uploaded to the Internet. But, this causes privacy issues since children are involved. So this particular aspect isn’t necessarily a good idea.

   With all the hype around the great things Google Glass is capable of, we may miss aspects of Glass that aren’t so great. First, the price is very high. In an article titled “Would you like Google Glass in Class?”, Emanuella Grinberg says, “Glass is expected to be more widely available toward the end of 2014, but the $1,500 price tag is a significant barrier for schools and teachers.” With a price like that, I’m not surprised more schools and others aren’t jumping into action, excited to get started with this new technology. It’s understandable that a device with so many capabilities wouldn’t be priced cheaply, but if it’s too high, then people aren’t going to support it. They’ll just rely on their smart phone and laptop like they have been for years. Sometimes, spending the money just isn’t worth it when you have other options that work just fine.

   In terms of the actual glasses, they have limited access and some problems. Some people believe that in order for the technology to succeed, it needs to be able to do more. In the article titled "Is Google Glass Obsolete", someone says, “Obvious shortfalls include a screen too small to display traditional images, a text orientation, weak voice recognition, and the ability to play video without providing screens over both eyes.” I strongly agree with this. Even when looking down at my phone sometimes, I have to zoom in to read something more clearly. I don’t see how you could possibly search the web, watch videos, and check email all out of the corner of your eye. Especially for those with poor eyesight and technical difficulties, it would be very challenging trying to operate. Also, a lot of people wouldn’t be okay with strangers walking by with Google Glasses and filming them. This could lead to fights and even legal problems. As you can see, Glass does have its downsides and there are problems that must be figured out before they go mainstream.

   Google Glass has the potential to be very successful in our everyday lives, but does have its negatives. You can record things hand-free, never miss a call or email without being tuned into your phone, take pictures, and ask questions like where the nearest gas station is located. Sadly, you’d have to spend a lot of money in order to experience these things. Also, you’d need good eyesight and the ability to put up with only being able to see a tiny screen. You wouldn’t want anyone attacking you because you were trying to take a video walking down the streets of New York City, but accidentally rubbed someone the wrong way while in the process. Overall, Google Glass could change the way things are done and be very convenient, but there are some things that need to be resolved before it goes any further.