About this blog

When most people visit their local eye doctor, it is usually to correct their vision. A visit with my local optometrist resulted in a whole new way of seeing the world… and it had little to do with impaired vision. Dr. Scott Gutshall of Gutshall Blumenstock Eye Care in O’Neill, Nebraska recently acquired a Google Glass invite. Interested in the concept and what Glass might offer his patients, he suggested that I serve as his beta-tester. To be a Glass Explorer was something I had been interested in ever since hearing about the program from my Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Teacher colleagues, but I doubted I would have the funds to justify the expense of the revolutionary gadget. I immediately accepted Dr. Gutshall’s invitation and excitedly embarked on this journey. I promised to share my learning with the community of O’Neill and beyond and thought there was no better way to document the adventure than on this blog. Whether for personal, professional, or educational purposes, subscribe and revisit often to see my progress in this new way of looking at the world.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Guest post by student author

From the EDGe blog at: http://edgepub.blogspot.com
By Sarah Ethington, September 2014


Our world is constantly changing, and updating technology. Everyone has ideas, and everyone is waiting for the next big thing. Right now, there is a new trend that is rising. After many years of development, Google glass was released in February, 2013. 

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Google glass resembles regular eyewear, but don’t let looks deceive you. In the upper right hand corner, there is an LED illuminated display. The screen projects images directly into the retina,or the part of the eye where images are formed. The device is very complex, and priced at $1,500. It can be used for fun, such as games and picture taking. It can also be used for practical things, such as research and calls.

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In order to control the glass, and the things you see, you can use touchpad located on the side. You can slide you finger and view things from the past such as phone calls and photos. Sliding backwards allows you to see things like weather, and current events. In order to charge the glasses you simply plug the lithium powered battery into an outlet.

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A camera hasn’t been forgotten. The glasses have the ability to not only take pictures, but to record seven hundred and twenty pixel high definition videos. Holding cameras up to eye level is now a thing of the past. With a simple tap, pictures can be quickly taken and saved.

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There’s a beloved new feature occurring more in recent technology. That is voice recognition. You can speak to Google Glass. For example: saying “O.K glass.” activates the device. Once activated you can speak commands such as “Play a game,”“Take a picture,” and “Text Sue.”
Instead of using voice recognition to activate the device, users can also tilt their head thirty degrees upward.

Despite all the fantastic features, there are safety considerations. The same driving hazards caused by cell phones apply to the glass. West Virginia already has a law stating that not only texting while driving is illegal, but using a wearable computer with a head mounted display is as well.
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Overall, the new device is rising up in the world of trending technology. There’s a lot packed into Google’s new device that only weighs fifty grams. It truly is wearable technology.

It’s just as handy as it is unique. With voice control, a touchpad, a camera, an LED display, and much more, could this be the next big thing?



Note: all above photos are of O'Neill patrons using Google Glass purchased by Dr. Scott Gutshall of Gutshall Eyecare in O'Neill, Nebraska. You can read more about this project at: http://viewthrutheglass.blogspot.com
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