Final Paper

Future of Hands-Free Technology

I believe the future of Digital Communications and Media lies exclusively in the realm of wearable, hands-free technology. As mobile devices continue to advance at an exponential rate, it makes the most sense that the natural progression of their hardware would be to evolve into multifaceted, wearable products. The reason I foresee this being the future of Digital Communications is primarily due to the fact that mobile technology is constantly striving to become as seamless and user-friendly as can be. The devices produced today are made to be as lightweight, small in size, and ergonomic as possible, in order to ensure the user with an efficient and convenient experience. A fully-functional hands-free device would serve as a game changer to the world of digital communications, and provide consumers with an easier and more natural way to stay connected. Throughout previous years, few attempts have been made to revolutionize the wearable device industry, and those which have been made yielded mixed results. Products such as the Google Glass, various Bluetooth devices, and the Apple Watch have all a made their way onto the market, and were met with either positive feedback or harsh criticism. Nonetheless, these technological advances have all served as stepping stones into the mainstream usage of wearable devices.

My idea for the next advancement in this field would be a combination of characteristics from products such as the Google Glass, Bluetooth, and the Apple Watch. It would be a small chip-like device that is able to be attached to any eye-wear of the user’s choosing; “One of the major obstacles to wearable tech has been designing a device that people will want to wear all the time. When it comes to the future of the industry, the big thing everyone is driving for is seamless integration– devices that can be attached to jewelry, jackets,or even undergarments so you can wear them everyday without having them affect your style” (Hastreiter, futureofeverything). The software would then be projected through the lens of the glasses, and could only be activated by its designated user. This device would be compatible with any operating system; and would be controlled primarily through voice, eye movements, and head gestures. The overall appearance of this device would be discreet and unobtrusive to the user. I feel as though this product would have the specific qualifications needed to succeed in the mainstream use of wearable technology. Unlike the shortcomings seen with Bluetooth devices or the Apple Watch; my wearable technology would not be limited in its capabilities, or require the presence of an external device in order to function. According to an article written by Jen Quinlan (2018) for Wired magazine, there is a list of specifications wearable tech must fulfill in order to be considered successful. She asserts that the technology must be invisible, personalized, efficient, accurate, permissions-based, sentient, multi-point, and seamless. Previous attempts at wearable tech have failed to encompass these abilities, as well as appeal to the average consumer; “Many people found the first wave of wearables came up short. Entry-level price points were high, form factors were dodgy and accuracy left a lot to be desired. It’s no wonder there was a 30% return rate and high product abandonment after six months” (Quinlan, Wired).

Since my device is extremely small and compatible with any form of eye-wear, this covers the aspects of invisibility and user personalization. In terms of efficiency, the device would be charged through solar power, which would prove to be more energy efficient, and eliminate the need for wired chargers. This feature would also provide the product with a more seamless experience since the user would not have to constantly remove the device in order to charge it. This wearable tech would be equipped with a top-of-the-line GPS system, which would have the ability to activate and deactivate depending on the user’s location. It would also have the ability to track health data, since this has proven to be a popular feature among mobile device users. Because this device would be activated primarily through voice control, the nature of the operating system would present as an interactive being capable of smooth two-way communication. Other features of this device which I would like to discuss pertain more to the safety and privacy of the individual user, as well as those around them.

The Google Glass, which is arguably the most similar in design to my product, encountered most of its criticism in response to the lack of privacy the device offered, along with its basic functionality. Besides the obvious change in hardware, the software was lacking and brought nothing new to the table in terms of mobile devices; “Tech reviewers who finally got their hands on the glass described it as the ‘worst product of all time’, aptly noting that it had abysmal battery life, and that it was a product ‘plagued by bugs’. Privacy concerns were raised, from people afraid of being recorded during private moments…it was also banned from bars, movie theaters, Las Vegas Casinos, and other places that did not want customers surreptitiously recording” (Bilton, thenewyorktimes). As a way to improve on this previous oversight, the GPS on my device would be able to determine whether a user is in a public or private area. If the user is in a private area or business, recording features will be blocked to ensure the privacy of others. In regard to the safety of the user, my device will be able to detect when a user is driving and block all functions, notifications, and messaging. However, phone and music via Bluetooth will still be able to be accessed through voice activation. This particular feature will exponentially decrease instances of distracted driving caused by texting, social media, and dialing, therefore, increasing overall safety on the roads. This device will also only be able to work on its designated user through eye-recognition software. This will heighten the security of the user’s information, since, unlike traditional hand-held smart phones, they cannot be easily hacked into. I also believe the design of this product will make it more difficult for it to be misplaced or stolen, seeing that it is worn on the user’s face.

Although my prediction for the future of hands-free devices may seem out of reach at this time, strides have been made to revolutionize the industry of wearable technology and its mainstream usage. In recent years, Google has teamed up popular eye-wear provider, Warby Parker, to re-brand the Google Glass image; “Google’s design team is in talks with the Internet-based fashion glasses company Warby Parker to create fashionable versions of its product. It’s all part of a more design-oriented Google, that’s making over its products with human taste, not just human tendency in mind” (Wilson, co.design) Hopefully, with the new trendy design of the Google Glass comes an upgrade in the functionality of its software as well. I believe wearable technology is the next logical step in the progression of digital communications. Consumers are always looking for the next best thing when it comes to mobile devices; especially if they offer a more seamless and efficient experience, which I believe wearable technology will provide. Just as people have grown accustomed to putting their phone in their pocket or bag before leaving the house, slipping on their wearable tech will eventually become second nature.

Works Cited

Bilton, Nick. “Why Google Glass Broke”. The New York Times. February 24, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/style/why-google-glass-broke.html. Accessed May 17, 2018.

Hastreiter, Nick. “What’s the Future of Wearable Tech”. Future of Everything. 2018. https://www.futureofeverything.io/future-wearable-tech/. Accessed May 22, 2018.

Quinlan, Jen. “The Future of Wearable Tech”. Wired. 2018. https://www.wired.com/insights/2015/02/the-future-of-wearable-tech/. Accessed May 22, 2018.

Wilson, Mark. “Google Glass Gets Hip With Warby Parker”. CO.DESIGN. February 21, 2013. https://www.fastcodesign.com/1671929/google-glass-gets-hip-with-warby-parker. Accessed May 25, 2018.