Google Glass Faces Market Barriers: 10 Factors That Could Hold it Back

by Don Reisinger

The big question mark right now is whether Google Glass will actually be affordable for today’s consumers who might be interested in the device. Google hasn’t said how much the technology will cost, but since it’s a first run and has so many advanced features, it could be awfully expensive. And that could hold it back.

Google says that Glass has adjustments that will allow the glasses to fit on just about anyone’s head. But what if the search giant is wrong? Professional optometrists have to make adjustments for nearly every pair of glasses they sell. The fit is extremely important. If Google Glass isn’t comfortable, it will be in deep, deep trouble.

Google Glass needs to be a fashion statement. If people are to wear the glasses around town, they want to believe that they look good wearing the device. If that doesn’t happen, Google Glass will fail miserably.

Google Glass is at risk of being the geek’s favorite device, and one that everyone else looks at as an unnecessary joke. Although the people formerly known as “geeks” are now more numerous in number and are actually considered “cool” in social circles, Google Glass might take it a bit too far. And that could hurt the technology.

Although wearable technology has been around for a long time, it’s yet to really take off. What Google needs is a wearable tech revolution, in which some other company does something special to appeal to a broad market base. Google Glass just might not do it.

Google hasn’t put an exact date on when Google Glass will launch. Considering it’s an ideal option for those who are on the road, it might be better for Google to launch Glass in the spring or summer. Then again, Google might want to appeal to the holiday shopping crowd. Either way, Google will have to get the timing right.

Google Glass doesn’t exactly come with the greatest specifications. In fact, the technology only supports WiFi b/g, and with only 12GB of usable memory, it won’t be long before images and video load that up. Plus, its camera is just 5 megapixels and its video recording can only handle 720p HD.

Google needs application developers in order to get Google Glass into the hands of more consumers. The open-source-development community is champing at the bit to see what they can do with Google Glass. Google should allow them to do that. The more apps that are available to Google Glass, the better.

When Google Glass launches, it’ll be all the talk in the industry, and people who buy it will find out just how cool the technology is when they break it out of the box. However, it’s not immediately clear whether Google Glass can stand up over the long haul. Will Google Glass still be useful months down the road? Will it collect dust in its protective case? Google needs to make Glass a true companion for all customers. If it doesn’t, Glass will fail.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle Google will need to overcome is proving that Google Glass is even practical. How many people really want to wear eyeglasses that can do all that Google Glass can? Some people will simply find that Google Glass is impractical. And in some ways, they might be right.