Google gets Glass ideas and some snark

Computerworld - After putting out a call for people to test drive its upcoming Glass wearable computers, Google is getting a lot of ideas for how to use them, as well as a lot of snark.

On Wednesday, Google issued a call for what it's calling "explorers," who will try out the computerized eyeglasses, which are still under development. The company is looking for explorers to explain how they would use the glasses and then to test them out.

Google then asked people to tell why they should be among the first group of explorers. With a Feb. 27 deadline, people were encouraged to apply using either Google+ or Twitter, using the hashtag "#ifihadglass" to say in 50 words or less what they would do with the had Glass. Participants also must be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S.

If chosen, participants are required to pay $1,500 plus tax for the device and attend a special pick-up experience, in person, in New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles.

Google wouldn't say how many submissions it has received, but applicants immediately took to Twitter and Google+ with their ideas. Some suggestions were for personal use, some were for charitable causes or work-related.

Hashim Warren posted his submission on Google+, writing, "#ifihadglass I would capture my newborn daughter's first steps, first words, and first everything without having to stop playing with her."

Tom Nardone tweeted, "#ifihadglass I would show people how a free community garden can make kids happy & healthy. http://MowerGang.com."

Many said they want to use Glass to document their children's lives and share the information with friends and relatives. Others want to record and share their jobs or hobbies. Dustin Belt, a guitarist with the band Big Time Rush, tweeted, "#ifihadglass Id show the world what I see every night while Im doing this on stage! pic.twitter.com/G5EbSDBu

Some focused on a business use for the wearable computers. "#ifihadglass I would research ways to provide team members, in the field, better access to the data they need to provide excellent customer service," tweeted Frank Brunke, a project manager at Ricoh Americas Corp., the copier and printing company.

However, not all the submissions were as serious. Some were even snarky.

Mathew Ingram tweeted "I would try to look cool while I was gobbling motion-sickness pills by the handful #ifihadglass."

Rstevens 3.01 went all Star Trek with his tweet "I would be ambassador for Cyborg-Americans, helping the Augmented find acceptance among the Unmodified Masses."

Google on Wednesday released a video showing clips of Google Glass in action. The clips included pictures and video taken of users in such activities as hot-air ballooning, figure skating, riding a roller coaster and playing with their children.

The video also gives potential users a first look at the Glass interface. A translucent pane on the right eye glass shows options for taking photos, shooting videos, getting directions, sharing, search and showing maps with graphic overlays.

The glasses also enable users to activate all these options with voice control.

Tom Nardone posted this twitpic with his application to become a Glass explorer. He says he would use the computerized glasses to show how community gardens can help kids.

Sharon Gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technologies, and desktop and laptop chips for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at @sgaudin or subscribe to Sharon's RSS feed . Her e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.

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