Are you curious about what Google Glass can do to for your aesthetic practice? If you weren’t selected to participate in the initial Google Glass Explorer program, but you want to give this high-tech communications gadget a go, today is your lucky day: Google Glass has temporarily opened up its testing program—provided you’re willing to pay for the technology itself.
Google Glass Explorer
Even Joe Niamtu, DMD, a facial cosmetic surgeon in Richmond, Va., who was selected as part of the phase 1 Google Glass Explorer program, reports in his blog, Google Glass: Awesome Technology or is the Cart Before the Horse, that he had to front the cash for the program too—$1,500 to be exact, the same price it will cost Glass Explorer opt-ins today. The question is, should you?
According to Dr. Niamtu, “these incredibly cool looking cyberglasses” could be a game changer in the way we record and share information, offering voice command web searches, calendar access, the ability to take pictures hands-free. From a professional cosmetic surgeon and educator’s perspective, however, it’s the bird’s eye view that the video technology offers that could be the game changer for surgeons in every specialty:
“If I wanted to and the patient consented, I could share this video, in real time, with the patient or students via Google Hangout which is part of Google Plus or download to my computer or devices. I see huge and exciting possibilities for telemedicine and surgery with such a device that may be game changing and lifesaving. It could guide surgeons through anatomy or document and diagnose lesions.”
Of course, Dr. Niamtu points out that there is a learning curve with Google Glass and a few issues that may leave its wearer frustrated, such as the inability to stream music from your existing iPhone or iTunes music collection. (He points out that you need to buy music from Google Music.)
As for the opportunity to put your own Google Glass into practice, the product site warns on it’s sign-up page that opting into their Google Glass Explorer program is limited. In other words, if you’re ready to see your practice through these nuevo communication-colored glasses, don’t put this opportunity off.
Did you opt-in? We want to hear from you! Send us a review of Google Glass technology in your aesthetic practice and you could appear in a future CST story: eliza.cabana@advanstar.com
About Google Glass
The Glass Explorer Edition, described as “a lightweight wearable technology that you can customize with different shades, frames and earbuds,” is available on the Google Glass Website for $1,500. Google Glass comes with a cable and charger, mono earbud, pouch, and your choice of shade or frame.
