In an age of online overload and social media hype, marketers and public relations representatives are looking for ways to get ahead of the competition. Doritos was successful in generating hype, engaging customers and stimulating record breaking sales with its Crash the Super Bowl contest.
Now, Google Glass is hoping to make a media splash as it rolls out of the project phase and segues into a beta “Explorer” program. The tech giant is looking for a “diverse group [of individuals], with people from all sorts of backgrounds, hobbies, jobs, and lifestyles” to show what they can do with the wearable Google Glass technology.
Image source talkandroid.com
Up until recently, Google employees were the only people wearing Google Glass. Now through February 27th, Twitter and Google+ followers can apply using the hashtag, #ifihadglass, to get their hands on a pair of the augmented reality “glasses.” To get the ball rolling, Google launched a web site that provides three links: “How it Feels,””What it Does,” and “How to Get One.”
How it Feels
The first link provides a point-of-view video that is compiled from wearers of the internal Explorer program. The video shows people flying from trapezes, sculpting ice, and capturing priceless moments on photo and film using the Glass. To sum it up best, it’s like having a DVR on your face to record everything you’re doing.
What it Does
The second link uses a running gallery to explain just how Glass works and what it does. Users access their Glass through built-in voice recognition to do things like:
- Take a picture
- Record a video
- Hang out with groups
- Get directions
- Speak to send a message
- Translate
- Ask whatever’s on your mind
How to Get One
The third and final link describes the application process. The Google team essentially wants to know what you plan to do with the wearable technology. Applicants have 50 words, 5 photos, and a 15 second video to convince Google that they are valid candidate to discover the unlimited possibilities that Glass offers.
The Explorers will need to be able to afford the hefty $1,500 plus tax price tag and the pick-up experience travel expenses. The only incongruence with the Explorer plan is that, a truly diverse group of individuals from all backgrounds will not be able to afford the exorbitant prices that Google demands. With all of the publicity and hype that encompasses a “contest” of this significance, you would expect that Google can afford to meet the so-called winners half way. After all, companies like Doritos PAID the top three winners of their Crash the Super Bowl contest a cumulative total of $2,000,000 for their submissions. If Google made the Explorer program more accessible to people of all financial means, they would be able to achieve a truly diverse group that represents all walks of life.
What I would do to get my hands on a pair of Google Glass! It makes a great gift for someone if you can get your hands on it. The strong, light, evolutionary design enables people to live in the moment and use a hands-free device to capture every second of it.
