Are you ready to make a computer fashion statement? When one thinks of computing and technology, fashion is not usually the first thing that springs to mind. Yet with rumors and speculation swirling around Apple’s potential entrance into the wearable computers market, your next fashion accessory may be transferring bits and bytes utilizing wireless technology! Long the realm of comic book spies like Dick Tracy or Sci-Fi shows like Star Trek, wearable computers are moving from the silver screen to the human body to allow users to free their hands from having the “burdensome” responsibility of holding a device in order to open apps, perform searches, receive text messages, check Facebook or obtain driving directions. And it’s not just Apple that’s getting in the game. In January, search engine powerhouse Google filed plans with the FCC for their own version of computer glasses known as Google Glass.
The “augmented reality” glasses will serve as a computer screen that provides real time information from the internet, email services, text messaging, video and photograph recording and more, all while the user carries on their daily living activities. Since studies frequently show that LGBT communities are early adopters of new technology, the question is will this early adoption extend to wearable computers? Whether or not these devices will be adopted by the LGBT communities and ultimately more broadly remains to be seen. To be successful, the devices need to be non-intrusive, easy to use, maintain long battery lives and usefully align with daily living activities, as a natural part of life. Also, they will have to be stylish and unobtrusive to gain mass appeal. But, we can’t wait to get our hands on one of these devices and see how well they work. What do you think? Are you ready for the next season of Project Runway to feature computing fashion challenges?