Google Glass Was Ruined By Too Much Hype

Every now and then, Google comes up with a good idea. But when it came to Google Glass, a lot of people seem to be undecided if they like the idea of wearable eyeglasses or not. Still, it did not stop both tech experts and casual consumers from talking about it. Indeed, Google Glass was one of the most talked about pieces of consumer technology in recent years, even if it was also one that polarized opinions. In the end, it may have been ruined by too much hype -- it was killed in January this year, before it even had a chance to hit stores.

There were many factors that contributed to Google Glass's downfall. But as reported by the New York Times, the most telling one was the bloated hype which spawned unfair and even wrong expectations. Combined with the continuous stream of recent bad publicity, the product just kind of withered away. Which is a shame because Google Glass (and all failed Google products before it) seemed like a very good piece of consumer technology.

According to the New York Times story, the team within Google X, the research lab responsible for developing the prototype for Google Glass, had known that the product was years away from being ready for prime time. 

Still, the wearable device was introduced to the world anyway more than a couple of years ago in June 2012, wherein Google executive Sergey Brin hosted a demo in which skydivers wore Google Glasses while jumping out of an airplane. 

The device went on to dominate headlines, but not entirely in a good way. Google Glass started getting banned from movie theaters, bars, and even inside cars. Some wearers of the device got into fights with other people, and Google Glass became the subject of ridicule by popular personalities like Jon Stewart. For some time, “Glasshole” became the talk of the town, but again, not in a good way.

Google Glass has now become an example of a piece of technology that just wasn't right for its time, and then exacerbated by an unfortunate series of bad publicity. 

But perhaps there is some hope yet. Google has decided to turn the project over to Ivy Ross, a designer specializing in jewelry, and Tony Fadell, a former Apple executive instrumental in developing the iPod and the founder of smart-device manufacturer Nest (which Google acquired in 2014). Fadell is reportedly planning to give Google Glass another shot, but this time around, he is going to make sure it is done right.

For fans of Google Glass, that should be something to look forward to.