Google Glass found to cause eye pain in some new users
The somewhat awkward positioning of the display in Google's head-worn mobile device dubbed Glass has been shown to cause eye muscle fatigue and headaches in some early adopters, leading at least one evangelist to suggest that the product should come with a warning label.
Much of the problem stems from users who are unaccustomed to looking upward for long periods of time, Harvard optometrist Dr. Eli Peli told BetaBeat. Google brought Dr. Peli in as a consultant when issues began to arise.
"The only people who look up a lot are some professionals like electricians and painters," Dr. Peli said. "Most of us look either straight or down. It's well known that up is less comfortable."
"It's not a headache, it's sort of a discomfort in the eye muscles," he added. "To describe it as a headache is inconsistent with how people experience headaches."
Both Dr. Peli and Google suggest that pain can be alleviated by using Glass for shorter periods of time, especially in the beginning before users' eyes have had a chance to adjust to looking repeatedly in Glass's direction. Google likened it to the adjustment period that many people experience with a new pair of prescription eyeglasses and said that the eyewear was "designed for micro-interactions, not for staring into the screen, watching Friday night movie marathons or reading 'War and Peace.'"
As noted by BetaBeat, early Glass evangelist Chris Barrett told CNET that he believes "there should be a warning that comes with Glass; that if you start to get a headache, you should limit your use." Barrett has since abandoned Glass due to the pain.
Much of the problem stems from users who are unaccustomed to looking upward for long periods of time, Harvard optometrist Dr. Eli Peli told BetaBeat. Google brought Dr. Peli in as a consultant when issues began to arise.
"The only people who look up a lot are some professionals like electricians and painters," Dr. Peli said. "Most of us look either straight or down. It's well known that up is less comfortable."
"It's not a headache, it's sort of a discomfort in the eye muscles," he added. "To describe it as a headache is inconsistent with how people experience headaches."
Both Dr. Peli and Google suggest that pain can be alleviated by using Glass for shorter periods of time, especially in the beginning before users' eyes have had a chance to adjust to looking repeatedly in Glass's direction. Google likened it to the adjustment period that many people experience with a new pair of prescription eyeglasses and said that the eyewear was "designed for micro-interactions, not for staring into the screen, watching Friday night movie marathons or reading 'War and Peace.'"
As noted by BetaBeat, early Glass evangelist Chris Barrett told CNET that he believes "there should be a warning that comes with Glass; that if you start to get a headache, you should limit your use." Barrett has since abandoned Glass due to the pain.
Comments
"Then don't press there."
Eric Schmidt: You’re wearing it wrong.
PS: Apple gets a lot of guff because their BoM is about half of what they charge for their device but according to this recent article the Google Glass BoM is only $79 to $150 despite the $1500 price tag. Note: This doesn't validate any of these wild guesstimates or narrow cost view of the BoM but I'm curious to see if these reports will make as people made as when BoMs for Apple products are released. I'm guessing that won't happen.
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[*] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/14/google-glass-price_n_5322986.html
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That's weird. Because when I see other people wearing that thing, it's a pain in my ass.
Incredible how much positive press Google got over the glass, which almost single-handedly led the narrative of "Google innovates and Apple doesn't", and sparked tens of thousands of articles and blog posts the past couple years. Yet, its obvious Glass is and will be a complete market failure- Gogle isnt even bothering to advertise it in any capacity anymore. But thats fine, right? Google will get no flack over that- the important thing is the build up, the hype, all the evangelizers. This thing wont even make a blip in the market, when all is said and done. Its ok- now Google can move on to their next pie-in-the-sky product that tech blogs can salivate about in order to bash Apple, then promptly forget about.
Amazing that even 3 years after its beta unveiling, Google Glass still looks EXACTLY the same- they havent been able to make it any smaller or more svelte. Still looks like a fucking abomination, still extremely limited, and now they quietly just released it to the market at the exact same $1,500 price. The Glass still has the same shitload of technology, privacy, social, and privacy issues since day 1. Nothing has been addressed.
Incredible how much positive press Google got over the glass, which almost single-handedly led the narrative of "Google innovates and Apple doesn't", and sparked tens of thousands of articles and blog posts the past couple years. Yet, its obvious Glass is and will be a complete market failure- Gogle isnt even bothering to advertise it in any capacity anymore. But thats fine, right? Google will get no flack over that- the important thing is the build up, the hype, all the evangelizers. This thing wont even make a blip in the market, when all is said and done. Its ok- now Google can move on to their next pie-in-the-sky product that tech blogs can salivate about in order to bash Apple, then promptly forget about.
Don't forget it was also unveiled with a super gimmicky parachute PR stunt. You'd think they back that up.
I really feel that the warning label should also say that you look like a fool also?
One guy realized that he didn't need the headache or the Glassholery:
It will be harder, however, for Google to address Barrett's other concern with Glass. Having severely limited his usage, he's finding that he neither misses the device, nor sees a compelling continued use for it.
He told me: "I have it on my desk every day, but I just don't have a good enough reason to wear it. It's not worth the headache. I get my e-mails on my laptop or iPhone if I'm on the go."
http://www.cnet.com/news/google-glass-enthusiast-its-not-worth-the-headaches/
It's the new omni-grab!!! (watch The Jerk if you don't get it)
Waiting for the first class action lawsuit to be filed for eye pain or damage. It WILL happen.
It's the new omni-grab!!! (watch The Jerk if you don't get it)
You beat me to it.
I personally don't want anything in the layer between myself and the world via the primary way I experience the world, through my eyes.
I would rather interact with an object, even if the object were a simulated one.
My son has friend who wears those douche-identifying Glasses, and his eyes do not focus properly when he takes them off. One eye continues to scroll up and move independently of the other. The Glasses literally have deformed the kids eyes.
Maybe if you stop using the Glasses, the damage reverses. But clearly people are made to interact with objects not to alter the way their eyes work.
Don't forget the strange area 51 mysterious barges they constructed as Glass Stores that lacked proper permitting....
Of course this will give you a headache.
[I]When you ask for directions, Glass first confirms the address:
[/I][IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/43427/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[I]Navigation in 2D gives you a bird's-eye view of the map:
[/I][IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/43429/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[I]Error messages are very clear:
[/I][IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/43430/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
source: mashable.com
It's probably just a tumor pressing on the optic nerve above the eyes… which also explains the lack the of cognitive thinking that caused them to pay $1500 for the device in the first place.
PS: Apple gets a lot of guff because their BoM is about half of what they charge for their device but according to this recent article the Google Glass BoM is only $79 to $150 despite the $1500 price tag. Note: This doesn't validate any of these wild guesstimates or narrow cost view of the BoM but I'm curious to see if these reports will make as people made as when BoMs for Apple products are released. I'm guessing that won't happen.
I've seen Apple end up on the wrong side of a double standard enough number of times to stop holding my breath for Apple to get a fair shake in the press.
Amazing that even 3 years after its beta unveiling, Google Glass still looks EXACTLY the same- they havent been able to make it any smaller or more svelte. Still looks like a fucking abomination, still extremely limited, and now they quietly just released it to the market at the exact same $1,500 price. The Glass still has the same shitload of technology, privacy, social, and privacy issues since day 1. Nothing has been addressed.
Incredible how much positive press Google got over the glass, which almost single-handedly led the narrative of "Google innovates and Apple doesn't", and sparked tens of thousands of articles and blog posts the past couple years. Yet, its obvious Glass is and will be a complete market failure- Gogle isnt even bothering to advertise it in any capacity anymore. But thats fine, right? Google will get no flack over that- the important thing is the build up, the hype, all the evangelizers. This thing wont even make a blip in the market, when all is said and done. Its ok- now Google can move on to their next pie-in-the-sky product that tech blogs can salivate about in order to bash Apple, then promptly forget about.
People have a short memory. Google's handling of Glass is nothing new. That's the way Google has been doing things for years.
You mean glass action lawsuit...