Google Glass just got a boost as it announced it would have the Livestream application that allows the live streaming of broadcasts. The announcement is being touted as a new wave of POV journalism and video broadcasting through the controversial new Glass headgear, which has already seen spats of anger between users and others.
Livestream came to popular global attention during the 2011 Arab Spring, when online users were able to follow the events on the ground in the Middle East through the service. Now, all Google Glass users will have to do is say, "OK, Glass, Livestream" and then tap the side-of-the-head device.
The move, however, according to industry experts Tech Times spoke with on April 7, increases the tension over privacy issues that surround the Google Glass device.
Right now, Google is moving at a fast pace on this product to get ahead of the concerns that many have over its use and public intentions is the belief of a number of privacy lawyers. This is something that both governments and people will be needed to develop an overall understanding of how privacy and technology function in the present mold.
Still, Google and others believe it could help to continue the dissemination of live information to users, journalists and even advertisers, who could have their programs and live feeds on Google Glass, with snippets of advertisers getting a voice as well.
The idea is that Google Glass users, especially journalists, can be on the front lines of the events they are reporting, record them using Glass and then stream them in real time for others to view. That, journalists say, is an interesting facet that must be treated with an air of caution.
Google wants to monetize Glass and adding Livestream could be a huge bonus for the Mountain View, Calif.-based company, as organizations and companies can have their coverage going straight to Glass. The NBA's Sacramento Kings have already begun giving fans a player's-view of the court through Glass use.
Important for this new announcement will be how advertisers, media outlets and potential advertisers come into play. While broadcasting live events has become a major aspect of modern online media, earning from that has been difficult and remains a struggle, yet Google believes that this new push with Livestream can enable Glass to transcend both the financial and social aspects that the company has touted for months.
