Welcome to the seventeenth installment of Queer Your Tech with Fun, Autostraddle’s nerdy new tech column. Not everything we cover will be queer per se, but it will be about customizing this awesome technology you’ve got. Having it our way, expressing our appy selves just like we do with our identities. Here we can talk about anything from app recommendations to choosing a wireless printer to web sites you have to favorite to any other fun shit we can do with technology.
Header by Rory Midhani
I have no idea whether to be thrilled or terrified about the prospect of Google Glass.
http://youtu.be/jhN8ZTDw8uA
Google Glass is just that – a pair of glasses. But instead of having sunglass lenses or prescription lenses, they’ve got a computer instead. This means you can do things like take pictures or video, totally hands-free. Or see directions directly in front of you. You can even do Google+ hangouts and share what you’re looking at with your group of friends (can you say A-Camp hangouts, people?). You can also do my favorite Google activity: you can ask it questions and it will tell you the answers.
They’re doing this thing where they’re kinda Beta testing the hardware, which means you can actually get Google Glass. According to the website:
We’re looking for bold, creative individuals who want to join us and be a part of shaping the future of Glass. We’d love to make everyone an Explorer, but we’re starting off a bit smaller. We’re still in the early stages, and while we can’t promise everything will be perfect, we can promise it will be exciting.
So basically, they’re choosing people to test it out. And since all you readers are “bold, creative individuals,” I figured I’d let you know how you can apply.
Using Google+ or Twitter, tell us what you would do if you had Glass, starting with the hashtag #ifihadglass.
- Your application must be 50 words or less
- You must include #ifihadglass in your application
- You can include up to 5 photos with your application
- You can include a short video (15 secs max)
- Be sure to follow us on Google+ (+ProjectGlass) or Twitter (@projectglass) so that we can contact you directly
- You must be at least 18 years old and live in the U.S. to apply
To the chosen few, the Glass still isn’t free. It’s $1,500 pre-tax, which is about the cost of a high-end computer. If you get it, would you please let the rest of us Google+ Hangout on your eyes? Preferably while doing something cool like flying trapeze? You also have to be able to attend a special pick-up event in New York, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Your deadline is February 27th.
There’s been a lot of discussion about Google Glass – in particular, the conversation has turned to fashion. Will anyone actually wear Google Glass when, to be honest, most people think they look kinda silly? I actually think they’re quite chic, and quite queer in terms of style. Yeah, I’d wear those suckers. But I’m also interested in having a different conversation surrounding this piece of equipment. Namely, a discussion about how much computer is too much computer.
So basically, I have two feelings when I think about using Google Glass. I could either be:
Or:
I can’t decide which. I love gadgets. I want to try these so, so much, but at the same time, is this the path to total Facebook integration? Is it not enough having everything at our fingertips on our smartphones? Is it not enough to experience life without trying to post it to something online? Are we seeing the beginnings of:
