Wearable Computing Devices

Unless you’ve been under a rock lately, you’ve been reading about the rollout of Google Glass and other such wearable computing devices. The initial shipment has been completed and those selected users are just starting their experience. Google Glasses contain a wearable computer embedded in an eyeglass frame. The device runs on Android OS, has internet connectivity, and displays data via a small screen above the glasses.

Google glasses, and other wearable computing devices, are here to stay. Gartner researchers forecast that the wearable devices market will be close to $10 billion by 2015.

What impact will Google Glass have on your business? We think that security and privacy will need to be addressed prior to employees or visitors bringing the appliance into your facility. Safety is definitely a concern as stated in the Google API documentation for developers “…may not use the APIs for any activities where the use or failure of the APIs could lead to death, personal injury, or environmental damage…”

Enterprises have been dealing with BYOD – bring your own device – issues since 2009. Security and privacy policies have had to be adapted for smartphones and tablets. Google Glass introduces wearable computing into the workplace. These computer-driven glasses are capable of taking photos and videos and then storing that data in the cloud. Companies will definitely want to augment their policies to accommodate this new technology.

Wearable computing devices may also have safety impacts. Think texting and driving. Companies may not want these devices on a production line for obvious reasons. Additionally, there are concerns that the data made available through these devices may cause eye strain and other health-related issues.

At Trinity Video, we like to think about the possibilities that wearable computing devices would have on our business. Imagine video conferencing with Google glasses in an environment where traditional telecommunications aren’t practical.  Consider how a device like this could be used in a museum or guided tour setting.   Could wearable devices be the next platform for digital signage?   The possibilities are endless.

While we aren’t currently offering any wearable computing devices, we do have products and services that your business can leverage today. Give us a call or contact us for more information.