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Nope, as far as I'm concerned they're still gonna be dorky. Wearing electronics on your face is irredeemably dorky, and I don't see any way around that. Electr

Nope, as far as I'm concerned they're still gonna be dorky. Wearing electronics on your face is irredeemably dorky, and I don't see any way around that. Electronics in your pocket: cool Electronics in your hand: cool Electronics hanging out of your ears: cool Electronics on your head, face, or built into your clothing: irredeemably uncool. I can't explain why in words, all I can tell you is that the world sees these things differently. If you don't understand why computer-enabled glasses are unavoidably dorky then I can't explain it to you, but I'm pretty sure it's the case. edit: That's not to say they won't sell well, to certain people. I envisage engineers on building sites walking around with 'em, or travelling salesmen, or police officers, or... I dunno, there's gotta be lots of good use cases for these sorts of things. But the very utility of 'em makes 'em desperately uncool, like Bluetooth earpieces.

herval 14y ago
Smartphones used to be dorky (less than a decade ago!). So did computers and even wrist watches. I'm pretty sure "electronic eyewear" (which ARE dorky now - see oakley's nerd product, the Thump) will follow suit. Dorky, then widespread, then sexy and desirable.
outworlder 14y ago
Uh. I might be getting old, but I remember a time where electronics ANYWHERE in your person were incredibly uncool. They were called "wereables" from a reason.
manpreets7 14y ago
A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts. Many still do. Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace. I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways.
- planetguy 14y ago
  A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts Isn't "pens in the front pocket" a defining characteristic of a 1950s-era nerd? Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags. I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways. Oh sure, I'm just arguing that it'll never be cool.
  - jerf 14y ago
    "Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags." Yeah... next time you're walking through a crowded place, look at people's ears more closely.
  - majormajor 14y ago
    If it works well enough, of course it will be cool. Once everyone has one to get shit done with, "cool" will be one of the biggest differentiators to determine which one to get. If it doesn't work well enough, then it will be the new Newton—and even then, here we are 20 years later, and tablets are cool.
- r0s 14y ago
  I really don't see as much earpiece fashion anymore. To me it always screamed "extra device" which is the opposite of luxury or convenience. Or maybe I'm just blind to a common trend now.

herval 14y ago

Smartphones used to be dorky (less than a decade ago!). So did computers and even wrist watches. I'm pretty sure "electronic eyewear" (which ARE dorky now - see oakley's nerd product, the Thump) will follow suit. Dorky, then widespread, then sexy and desirable.

outworlder 14y ago

Uh. I might be getting old, but I remember a time where electronics ANYWHERE in your person were incredibly uncool. They were called "wereables" from a reason.

manpreets7 14y ago

A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts. Many still do. Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace. I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways.

planetguy 14y ago
A lot of people used to carry pens on their shirts Isn't "pens in the front pocket" a defining characteristic of a 1950s-era nerd? Now using bluetooth earpieces is commonplace Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags. I am sure people will get used to using very tiny gadgets on their clothing or ears if they assist them in meaningful ways. Oh sure, I'm just arguing that it'll never be cool.
- jerf 14y ago
  "Sure, among two classes of people: travelling salesmen and complete toolbags." Yeah... next time you're walking through a crowded place, look at people's ears more closely.
- majormajor 14y ago
  If it works well enough, of course it will be cool. Once everyone has one to get shit done with, "cool" will be one of the biggest differentiators to determine which one to get. If it doesn't work well enough, then it will be the new Newton—and even then, here we are 20 years later, and tablets are cool.
r0s 14y ago
I really don't see as much earpiece fashion anymore. To me it always screamed "extra device" which is the opposite of luxury or convenience. Or maybe I'm just blind to a common trend now.