Great article from Tim Bajarin on the mistakes, and lack of understanding, Google had with glass.
The Debacle of Google Glass
Great article from Tim Bajarin on the mistakes, and lack of understanding, Google had with glass.
“It was the worst $1500 I have ever spent in my life”
Well, how can we argue with someone who actually used the product?..
Google Glass smells of two things:
Google thought they could sucker yuppie techno-hipsters into spending $1500 just to “be the first on their block” with a new gadget.
Google has absolutely no idea what consumers want because Googlers are all alpha geeks, all their friends are also alpha geeks, they stay on campus all day and never interact with “the public,” so therefore Google management thinks that the average consumer is an alpha geek.
Flip a coin. Maybe both of the above.
I think Google did accomplish #1 – though you have an interesting phrase – “alpha geek” does make a lot of sense – I would say they probably are alpha geeks like you say – or maybe hardcore nerds!!! Alpha geeks do not make a successful product.
In the end, what did Glass due, besides help with the new term, “glass hole”?
Google Glass – a promising product that may eventually do something useful! (without being creepy?)
“Even those with disposable income who could afford to be a Glass Explorer have to feel taken as Google used them as beta testers at their personal expense.” Taken? Hell, they offered themselves up on a silver platter!
In Google’s defense (something you won’t hear me say very often), it wasn’t like they were coy about it. Everything coming out of the -Plex made it clear this was a .9 (at most) release. You can’t blame Google for knowing that lots of people get stupid when it comes to Google.
Oh, I don’t know—I think anyone dumb enough to pay to be a beta tester has probably wasted lots of money before.