Android By James Plafke Apr. 18, 2014 4:29 pm
We’ve all been hearing about Google’s wearable computing experiment, Glass, long enough at this point. It’s not vaporware — it exists and you’ve probably seen people wearing them around — but it inhabits that weird non-quite-beta space in which the Oculus Rift lives. You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen it, but have you tried Glass? Google’s solution: a new program that lets you try on Glass at your place for free.
According to Reddit user clide, Google is now sending potential Explorers (the cringe-inducing marketing term used to describe early Glass adopters) a face computer to try at home for free before they take the $1500 plunge. Now that Glass fits with prescription frames that aren’t too hideous and won’t make you look as silly as the device used to, Google feels that now is the time to get potential customers hooked. Google is sending out letters to potential Explorers as part of a try-on program, so customers can see which frames fit and look the best on them.
For just a $50 hold on your credit card, Google will send you four colors of Glass, and every frame style for you to try. Of course, the demo units are non-functional, but let’s be honest: at this point in Glass’ life cycle, you’ve probably heard more about it making you look dumb rather than it not being useful.
With this program, it’s clear Google feels that the only hurdle Glass will have to jump over is one of fashion. Allowing you to find which style of Glass looks best would help overcome that hurdle.
The Glass units being sent are returned units, and the USB ports have been destroyed so you can’t get a working Glass for just a $50 hold. Amusingly, some of the units will still power up, but they won’t boot into the OS, so you can’t really use them anyway. Oddly, it does appear that Google is destroying Glass units just to try to convince more people to buy Glass; a working demo might’ve done a better job.
In order to participate, you can call the number 855-9GLASS9, but reports say that Google has caught on to the leak and may now request proof of invitation. If you’re interested, though, give it a go — you have nothing to lose other than the 30 seconds it takes to make a phone call.
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According to Reddit user clide, Google is now sending potential Explorers (the cringe-inducing marketing term used to describe early Glass adopters) a face computer to try at home for free before they take the $1500 plunge. Now that Glass fits with prescription frames that aren’t too hideous and won’t make you look as silly as the device used to, Google feels that now is the time to get potential customers hooked. Google is sending out letters to potential Explorers as part of a try-on program, so customers can see which frames fit and look the best on them.
With this program, it’s clear Google feels that the only hurdle Glass will have to jump over is one of fashion. Allowing you to find which style of Glass looks best would help overcome that hurdle.
The Glass units being sent are returned units, and the USB ports have been destroyed so you can’t get a working Glass for just a $50 hold. Amusingly, some of the units will still power up, but they won’t boot into the OS, so you can’t really use them anyway. Oddly, it does appear that Google is destroying Glass units just to try to convince more people to buy Glass; a working demo might’ve done a better job.
In order to participate, you can call the number 855-9GLASS9, but reports say that Google has caught on to the leak and may now request proof of invitation. If you’re interested, though, give it a go — you have nothing to lose other than the 30 seconds it takes to make a phone call.
More...
