Google Glass is an incredible concept –

the promise of true augmented reality that can be worn seamlessly on our faces and that will then provide us with live, updated information of the world around us as and when we need it. The way the device works is simple – it picks up information about the world around you using a built-in-camera, and then displays this information on a tiny screen suspended just in the periphery so that we can see it when necessary. At the same time the device will be listening for voice commands as well as gesture controls at the side of the device. This way it can then display directions to help us get to wherever we need to be, it can bring up the results of a quick Google Search, and it record footage of whatever the wearer is seeing.

The possible applications are almost endless, and the implications are truly exciting. But then there’s no guarantee that Google Glass will take off and prove to be the hit we all want it to be. The Oculus Rift (a VR headset) was recently released to developers and has quickly generated a huge buzz as well as a lot of exciting software. On the other hand though, the Leap Motion controller which was initially announced to mass enthusiasm has ended up being something of a disappointment as developer support just failed to emerge and firmware bugs rendered it not quite the amazing device it could have been.

So the question is, how can Google make sure that their glass project becomes a hit in the vain of the Oculus rather than a disappointment?

Get the Developers on Board

For starters, Google need to make sure that developers are behind their product from day one. The smartphone industry has shown us just what a huge difference this can make – with mobile ecosystems living and dying on the number of apps they have.

There’s no way that Google can envisage every possible use for their device, but put it in the hands of developers and pretty soon you will begin to see creative uses springing up and that all-important ‘killer app’ will be only a matter of time.

How do Google ensure developer support? First it means supporting those developers – by providing the best possible SDK and instructions with regular updates and lots of communication. At the same time it means rewarding development – currently all apps on Glass are free downloads which does little to entice creative who want to earn a little money. It also means making sure not to implement too many restrictions – allowing developers to access as much of the device as possible to really get every possible use out of it.

Have a Smart Strategy

For many, the idea of Google Glass is going to be a hard sell. Glass has obvious appeal to early adopters, but the average Joe is hardly going to want to wear something so borg-looking in public and risk being the subject of ridicule.

Thus Google are going to need to have a smart marketing campaign and strategy in place in order to see mass adoption. This might mean targeting those early adopter types and those developers in a very direct way to make sure that there’s an elite ‘core’ of users with the devices. This will instantly make Glass more desirable and fashionable, and you will start to see more people wearing them as a result until they become commonplace.

At the same time Google should do everything they can to try and promote the core ideas behind Glass so that people know what they’re seeing and start to get used to it.

Make it Practical

There are a few practical challenges that Google need to overcome if they want to make Glass ‘must have’. For one, battery life could be a deal breaker so that’s something that should be increased as soon as possible. At the same time it’s also important that Google find a way to give Glass its own connection soon rather than relying on wireless tethering – something that not everyone is familiar or comfortable with and that is as such always going to be restrictive.

These are just some of the challenges that Google need to face if they’re going to make a hit of Google Glass. Let’s just hope they manage it, because the promise for something spectacular is definitely there…

Author Bio

The author of this post, Nancy Baker, is a freelance blogger who is currently writing for Papersavers, providers of leading shredder services in Toronto. An audiophile, Nancy likes to listen to artists and music from different genres. You can also follow her on Twitter @Nancy Baker.

The Smartlet has now been launched to allow for a more hands free experience with the device.

People are using their smartphones for a growing number of tasks throughout the day, from their alarm clock first thing in the morning to managing their communications and social media and a great deal more, and now a number of iPhone gadgets are being released to help to overcome the inconvenience of always having to have a handset in your palm.

There have been a smattering of different smartwatches released to try to touch on this benefit.

For people who are used to holding their Apple smartphones in their hands all the time for everything from talking to texting and from gaming to banking, they can now wear the device on their wrists with an innovative new kind of strap that holds the device in place. These iPhone gadgets aren’t devices unto themselves, but allow you to wear your smartphone as though it were a smartwatch.

These iPhone gadgets are a cross between a cradle and a colorful sort of bracelet.

When worn, they allow an Apple smartphone to be anchored to the wrist so that it can be kept out of the way and yet still completely accessible. The official website for the product claims that the smartphone is essentially converted into the ultimate smartwatch. Overall, it is actually just giving the user the chance to strap his or her mobile phone to the wrist in a convenient place that allows it to be used without requiring it to be held in the palm the whole time.

The design of the wrist strap allows the smartphone to be quickly and easily removed from its cradle so that it can be conveniently used in ways other than on the wrist. That said, while it is easy to remove, it is otherwise locked into place so that it will stay put.

These new iPhone gadgets are the result of a Kickstarter project under the name Denos Ventures, which operates under CEO David Soofian. According to Soofian, the company’s team has until January 23 to be able to prove that the product’s worth and encourage funding of the product production.