The main aim of new technologies is to make life easier for consumers; the development has accelerated from desktops and telephones to laptops and mobiles. The creation of wearable technology has already taken place and further development will result in no longer having to worry about pockets and bags to carry our devices - we will just be able to wear it, and I’m sure the fashion industry will take it up and we’ll have glasses and watches for every outfit. For the consumer, this will be just another way to stay connected but companies will have to start thinking about how to move forward with this technology.
The idea of the Google Glass, at this early stage, isn’t to use it for long periods of time; it was created for checking emails or using google maps, not for reading a book or an entire newspaper (Publishing Technology, 2014). However this does not mean that publishers cannot use this technology, it means that they have to find creative ways to incorporate the use of the technology. Some publishers have already taken the initiative to create apps for google glass, New York Times and CNN offer summaries of news stories (McKenzie, 2013). Another app that is being created will allow you to shop online and talk to a real live salesperson in store through video. This is a good opportunity for the publishing industry as it would promote other book stores other than Amazon, which wouldn’t be capable of using this system (Rickaby, 2013).
Google Glass can be used as a good marketing strategy such as the existing app allows you to see a movie trailer just by looking at a poster; this idea could possibly be transferred to books, i.e. by looking at a book cover, you can instantaneously read the summary (Google Glass Apps, n.a ). An interview between Demian Farnworth and Rob Garner, an expert in Google Glass, clarified that any marketer should be able to use this technology in their strategies (Farnworth, 2014).
A new plugin app will have the ability to upload stories, photos and videos directly from the Google Glass. It is directed at reporters rather than large publishers for now but as the technology advances this could change (Kelly, 2013).
In conclusion, at this early stage, wearable technology doesn’t have a big impact on the publishing industry but if Google Glass takes off with the public as did the iPad, then publishers will have to think seriously on how they can use this to their advantage.
References:
Farnworth, D., 2014. Google Glass Offers a First-Mover Advantage You Shouldn’t Overlook. [online] Available at: http://www.copyblogger.com/google-glass/ [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Google Glass Apps, n.a. Google Glass Application List. [online] Available at: http://glass-apps.org/google-glass-application-list [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Kelly, S., 2013. Eye Publishing: Google Glass Gets WordPress Plugin. [online] Available at: http://mashable.com/2013/12/09/google-glass-wordpress/ [Accessed: 18 November 2014]
McKenzie, H., 2013. Google Glass for publishers: Silica Labs makes it as easy as an RSS tap. [online] Available at: http://pando.com/2013/08/02/google-glass-for-publishers-silica-labs-makes-it-as-easy-as-an-rss-tap/ [Accessed: 18 November 2014]
Publishing Technology, 2014. Don’t read War & Peace with your Google Glass… yet. [online] Available at: http://www.publishingtechnology.com/2014/02/dont-read-war-peace-with-your-google-glassyet/ [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Rickaby, C., 2013. How a magical pair of glasses can save your local bookstore. (N.B. They’re not Harry Potter’s). [online] Available at: http://www.thebookseller.com/futurebook/how-magical-pair-glasses-can-save-your-local-bookstore-nb-they-re-not-harry-potter-s [Accessed: 18 November 2014]
The idea of the Google Glass, at this early stage, isn’t to use it for long periods of time; it was created for checking emails or using google maps, not for reading a book or an entire newspaper (Publishing Technology, 2014). However this does not mean that publishers cannot use this technology, it means that they have to find creative ways to incorporate the use of the technology. Some publishers have already taken the initiative to create apps for google glass, New York Times and CNN offer summaries of news stories (McKenzie, 2013). Another app that is being created will allow you to shop online and talk to a real live salesperson in store through video. This is a good opportunity for the publishing industry as it would promote other book stores other than Amazon, which wouldn’t be capable of using this system (Rickaby, 2013).
Google Glass can be used as a good marketing strategy such as the existing app allows you to see a movie trailer just by looking at a poster; this idea could possibly be transferred to books, i.e. by looking at a book cover, you can instantaneously read the summary (Google Glass Apps, n.a ). An interview between Demian Farnworth and Rob Garner, an expert in Google Glass, clarified that any marketer should be able to use this technology in their strategies (Farnworth, 2014).
A new plugin app will have the ability to upload stories, photos and videos directly from the Google Glass. It is directed at reporters rather than large publishers for now but as the technology advances this could change (Kelly, 2013).
In conclusion, at this early stage, wearable technology doesn’t have a big impact on the publishing industry but if Google Glass takes off with the public as did the iPad, then publishers will have to think seriously on how they can use this to their advantage.
References:
Farnworth, D., 2014. Google Glass Offers a First-Mover Advantage You Shouldn’t Overlook. [online] Available at: http://www.copyblogger.com/google-glass/ [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Google Glass Apps, n.a. Google Glass Application List. [online] Available at: http://glass-apps.org/google-glass-application-list [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Kelly, S., 2013. Eye Publishing: Google Glass Gets WordPress Plugin. [online] Available at: http://mashable.com/2013/12/09/google-glass-wordpress/ [Accessed: 18 November 2014]
McKenzie, H., 2013. Google Glass for publishers: Silica Labs makes it as easy as an RSS tap. [online] Available at: http://pando.com/2013/08/02/google-glass-for-publishers-silica-labs-makes-it-as-easy-as-an-rss-tap/ [Accessed: 18 November 2014]
Publishing Technology, 2014. Don’t read War & Peace with your Google Glass… yet. [online] Available at: http://www.publishingtechnology.com/2014/02/dont-read-war-peace-with-your-google-glassyet/ [Accessed: 24 November 2014]
Rickaby, C., 2013. How a magical pair of glasses can save your local bookstore. (N.B. They’re not Harry Potter’s). [online] Available at: http://www.thebookseller.com/futurebook/how-magical-pair-glasses-can-save-your-local-bookstore-nb-they-re-not-harry-potter-s [Accessed: 18 November 2014]