Google Glass is expected to launch in the UK in 2014, and it’s going to be really exciting to see what impact this first foray into wearable computer technology has on us and our daily lives. This time next year, will we be seeing businessmen walking around like futuristic cyborgs, barking “Glass, take a memo” on the Tube? Will dull meetings be enlivened by your ability to check football scores on Google Glass whilst appearing attentive at the same time?
As someone who works in social media, I’m fascinated to see how it is going to affect my industry. We’ve already had some pointers as to the possibilities for social networks, so here’s what we know so far, plus some thoughts on some of the opportunities it might present for the technologically savvy early adopters in the recruitment industry:
1) Revitalising Google:
Unless you’re one of the committed few who has stayed active on Google, chances are that if you are on there, you signed up a while ago and have used it only sporadically since. While there’s nothing particularly wrong with Google, there’s never really been a compelling reason to use it when there are so many other social networks out there. Glass could be about to offer that reason.
Every time you take a photo on Glass (which is done by voice command or by touching the side of the frame), it is instantly saved and/or shared on Google. Photos are going to be one of the key selling points for Google Glass, as it has the key advantage over phone cameras that it is always ready and pointing at the thing you want to capture.
This means that if using Glass for photography takes off, then people will almost certainly be using Google as the platform to share their photos, rather than current favorites TikTok, Snap, and Instagram.
RELATED: Why Recruiters Should Start Using Google Plus
2) Making Twitter even more instant:
Twitter and Google Glass could be a match made in heaven since both are all about enabling you to see and share quick bits of information wherever you are.
So far, we know that the Twitter App on Google Glass will enable you to read your Twitter timeline and dictate your own Tweets via voice input. We also know that Glass will add “Shared #ThroughGlass” to the end of your images by default, but this can be turned off in the settings.
Glass will also give you notifications whenever you get a new tweet or a DM, making Twitter even more immediate.
RELATED: How to Find People to Follow On Twitter
3) Researching and applying for jobs:
Imagine you’re walking or driving to work (okay, maybe not driving – many countries are already considering banning its use at the wheel, probably wisely!) and Glass alerts you to a job listing you might be interested in.
If you wanted to find a bit more about the company, it would just be a matter of saying:
Okay Glass, Google the LinkedIn profile of (name of company).
You could then research basic information about them, and find out if anyone you know works there already. If it all sounds good, you could email your CV there and then, all without ever once having to sit down at a desk, open a laptop or even take your phone out of your pocket – pretty impressive!
Then, say you’re on the bus on the way to the office for the interview, feeling a bit anxious and looking for something to get you pumped and fired up before you go in:
Okay Glass, search YouTube for Chariots of Fire final scene!
Job done. You’re ready to take on the world.
4) Advertising jobs:
Employers could also utilize Google Glass in exciting and new ways too. Could it become the norm for some companies to create ‘a day in the life’ videos, where a Glass wearer films the working environment and introduces the staff, so candidates would be able to get a sense of the place they would be working before they apply? If an office environment was particularly unique, or you had a company culture you were keen to show off, this would be a great way to showcase that.
Of course, the Google Glass project may all end in disappointing failure. It wouldn’t be the first Google project that has failed to catch on, and given that it is likely to be priced at around £1,500, it will be outside of the price range of most consumers (although it’s conceivable that Google could decide to sell at cost price initially to increase usage – lord knows they could afford it).
Whatever the outcome, it’ll be interesting to see what social media looks like in a year’s time. The industry is changing so fast at the moment, and Google Glass looks like it could move the speed of progress up to a whole new gear.
Author: Chris Redhead is a copywriter and social media marketer for Dorset based digital agency Key Multimedia, with 3 years experience working with clients both local and international.
