Google's Brin says smartphones are antisocial, 'emasculating'
Sergey Brin may pull in a good deal of money from the sale of smartphones running his company's Android operating system, but the Google co-founder recently aired some unflattering opinions on the devices, calling them "emasculating" and offering Google Glass as a solution to the societal problems they pose.
On Wednesday, Brin took the stage at TED2013, sporting his now ever-present Google Glass unit, and said the rise of the smartphone has led to people essentially getting addicted to antisocial behavior, according to the TED Blog.
"The cell phone is a nervous habit," Brin explained. "If I smoked, I'd probably smoke instead, it'd look cooler. But I whip this out and look as if I have something important to do."
While the increasingly ubiquitous smartphone has given users access to more data in more places than ever before, Brin says the way people access that data requires them to disconnect from the world around them. In fact, he says, the reliance on smartphones is somewhat degrading.
"Is this the way you're meant to interact with other people?" Brin continued. "It's kind of emasculating. You're just rubbing this featureless piece of glass. Is this what you're meant to do with your body?"
Google Glass, the wearable computing device developed by Brin's Google X Lab group, is his way of moving past the hunched, glass screen interactions that have come to characterize the mobile data experience.
"When we started Google 15 years ago," he explained, "my vision was that information would come to you as you need it. You wouldn't have to query at all."
Brin hopes that the head-mounted computing unit will allow people to leave their smartphones in their pockets, instead calling up information when they need it and going about their lives when they don't.
Google Glass will be compatible with both iPhones and Android handsets when it becomes available to consumers some time later this year. Wearable computing has become an increasingly popular concept in the tech media, and rumors abound that Apple is working on an iWatch as well as experimenting with head-mounted displays.
On Wednesday, Brin took the stage at TED2013, sporting his now ever-present Google Glass unit, and said the rise of the smartphone has led to people essentially getting addicted to antisocial behavior, according to the TED Blog.
"The cell phone is a nervous habit," Brin explained. "If I smoked, I'd probably smoke instead, it'd look cooler. But I whip this out and look as if I have something important to do."
While the increasingly ubiquitous smartphone has given users access to more data in more places than ever before, Brin says the way people access that data requires them to disconnect from the world around them. In fact, he says, the reliance on smartphones is somewhat degrading.
"Is this the way you're meant to interact with other people?" Brin continued. "It's kind of emasculating. You're just rubbing this featureless piece of glass. Is this what you're meant to do with your body?"
Google Glass, the wearable computing device developed by Brin's Google X Lab group, is his way of moving past the hunched, glass screen interactions that have come to characterize the mobile data experience.
"When we started Google 15 years ago," he explained, "my vision was that information would come to you as you need it. You wouldn't have to query at all."
Brin hopes that the head-mounted computing unit will allow people to leave their smartphones in their pockets, instead calling up information when they need it and going about their lives when they don't.
Google Glass will be compatible with both iPhones and Android handsets when it becomes available to consumers some time later this year. Wearable computing has become an increasingly popular concept in the tech media, and rumors abound that Apple is working on an iWatch as well as experimenting with head-mounted displays.
Comments
but on the 'emasculating' part. has he looked in the mirror lately
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
"Is this the way you're meant to interact with other people?" Brin continued. "It's kind of emasculating. You're just rubbing this featureless piece of glass. Is this what you're meant to do with your body?"
So Brin has experience with emasculation?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason98
At least when you stare at smartphone, everyone can see that you are not paying attention. With glasses, no clue.
The funny thing about what he's saying (besides the fact that I don't think "emasculating" means what he thinks it means) is that someone using Glass isn't going to be any more connected to the person they're with than looking down at a smartphone.
Glass could be a revolution for POV porn, though.
He is not a salesman, nor showman nor visionary. He couldn't make a sale for a john in a brothell.
This will never be a solution until you can tap into an overlay of the optic nerve viewport. on the side of the temple with a minute device that using MEMS can activate and deactivate with a touch.
It makes no sense because he used the wrong word, and being a big famous "smart guy" he will never be able to admit it.
Only a geek with severely impaired social skills would think that this product would be acceptable for use in your day-to-day business. If you're going to wear this all day long, you might as well put an "I'm creepy" sign on your forehead.
This is going to be a major flop because nobody wants to be around some guy who just might be taking pictures or videos of you.
Wow I didn't know TED talks were basically infomercials for companies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jason98
At least when you stare at smartphone, everyone can see that you are not paying attention. With glasses, no clue.
From what I've seen in photos, videos, and articles from establishments commenting on those wearing them, the placement of the mirror is slightly below one's eyebrow and the users look like they're gazing up taking one's eyes off from whomever they may be interacting with.
So honestly, I'd rather have some person looking down being visibly rude and inconsiderate as opposed to some guy mimicking a zombie looking around aimlessly.
http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/09/36/3/192/1922507/acaa08de7ad2e46d_Sergey.jpg oh yeah Sergey, emasculating indeed.
"You're just rubbing this featureless piece of glass. Is this what you're meant to do with your body?"
Am I the only person that mentally changes "glass" to "wood" and then has a really good chuckle about this article because emasculation sounds like something naughty?
[B]antisocial[/B] |??æn(t)i?so???l|
[I]adjective
[/I]- contrary to the laws and customs of society; devoid of or antagonistic to sociable instincts or practices:
Rich idiot, one-trick pony.
Maybe he can speak with authority on Internet search, but on any other topic, he has about as much gravitas as Rob Enderle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wurm5150
Not taking advice on how to look cool from a guy who looks like a douchebag wearing that thing..
The stupid thing is "emasculation" literally means "taking away one's manliness." He's not even saying that Google glasses look cooler or less dorky, he's saying that people who use smartphones are somehow gay or effeminate and implying that "real men" would use Google glasses instead.
I mean what kind of a f*cked up comment is that to make? Is it still 1950? Guys are all supposed to worry about how "manly" they look using this or that technology?
I'm surprised more women haven't jumped all over the comment and beat the sh*t out of him for saying it.
The main reason I believe that he probably just doesn't understand the meaning of the word is that it's such a colosally offensive thing to say if he actually does.
But be that as it may I hardly think rolling your eyes upward to take a peak at your Glass will in any way improve things. On the contrary, once that becomes a nervous habit for people things will get very freaky.
Brinn's wife...
No, there's nothing rude, antisocial, or awkward at all about constantly iterrupting a conversation with "OK GLASS!!" and tapping your glasses. That video shows just show creepy and stalkerish that thing is. She pretty much recorded him and shared it without his knowledge.