I wrote recently about the leaked documents that revealed Google was planning a one day sale of Glass to the general public sometime this week, and we now know when that will be. Glass will be on sale tomorrow, and you can sign up for the program on the official site.
Google has been running the "Explorer" program for months now, offering the device to a limited number of people. It's essentially a beta in which they gather feedback from those testing and using Glass in public and their homes. This way, they can learn about any issues with the product from users and correct them before the goes to market.
Tomorrow's sale is not a full retail launch, but an expansion of the Explorer program. Google would like to push it to as many people as possible, maximizing both awareness of the product and feedback that they can use to make improvements.
Glass has caused a few issues when being used in public, however. People are wary of being recorded, not wanting their privacy to be infringed upon nor to be caught on video doing something unsavory. Especially in the wake of Snowden's reports of NSA activity, people are often skeptical of or downright aggressive towards those using Glass.
Recently, someone entered a bar wearing Glass, and was met with hostility and accusations of recording the scene. The user turned the camera on (which was an odd decision, since it then justified complaints and suspicions) and recorded people harassing her and grabbing at her face to remove Glass. The device itself is conspicuous, but you can't tell when it is recording, leading to the assumption by many people that it might currently be capturing footage.
Another incident occurred just yesterday, where a Business Insider journalist had Google's creation ripped from his face by a San Francisco native. The man yelled "Glass!" before pulling the device off the user, another sign of the negative connotation it has with the public. The issue is exacerbated in San Francisco, where businesses and professionals have driven up rent and prices by flocking to the tech hotspot and gentrifying the area. Products like Glass may be seen as a symbol of this trend, which is driving away or aggravating natives who can no longer afford to live there.
Despite these issues and Glass' $1,500 cost, the device is already making waves before it's even on sale. It has saved a life, is being used in sports, and high-end fashion designers are making it more stylish. This is your chance to get in on the action if you can afford it, because it will probably make an even bigger impact in the future.
