5 things I've learned about beta testing from Google Glass

Google Glass. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Trying out Google Glass as one of 8,000 Glass Explorers marks the first time I?ve ever beta-tested a technology product. My ?Get App-y? column focuses more on how technology fits into regular people?s lifestyles, so being an early adopter is new for me. Here are some things I?ve learned about the beta-testing process:

1) The product you?re testing is not entirely ready for market, so lower your expectations. You, as a beta tester, have it to provide input for the company to get it ready for market. Google is looking for feedback from Glass Explorers so it can see how the device will be used in the real world. In a strange twist, Explorers are paying for the privilege of doing so ? they shelled out $1,500 plus tax to be an early adopter of Glass and buy the device.

So here are some of my thoughts: Google Glass is a beautifully imagined device that works exactly as promised, today. It takes calls, records video and takes photos with voice activation, connects to your smart phone, shares things to social media and performs Google searches, among other things.? However, operating Glass is still a bit clunky; the device is not as useful for my everyday life as I?d like it to be. I?d like to use Glass more like my smart phone, but I still find myself turning to the smart phone because many things are just easier to do on it. Glass doesn?t have many available apps for it; I also am slightly self-conscious using Glass if I am not using it to show off to people. I suspect that will change as more people have it because Glass is comfortable to wear and unobtrusive.

The ?timeline cards? that pop into my stream to allow me to use Glass do so chronologically; navigating to the one I want to see/use requires scrolling through each one. An app that releases too many cards into my timeline clutters it.

Google regularly releases updates to improve Glass in this testing period. The most recent one gave us YouTube videos on Glass and better navigation, among other things;? the last one included a better camera.

2) Support and how-to information are hard to come by. I have to scramble to find out how to do things on Glass, but I?ve enjoyed learning from others who have the device and are developing for it. That?s where my best information comes from. The Glass Community that Explorers get connected to once they pick up their device has the most useful information and lots of discussions. Battery life? Contacts? Photos? You name it, people are asking, but as a beta tester, sometimes I?m the first one to ask the question. In addition, I discovered a list of additional available apps from developers all on my own. I also get information by being plugged into several Glass discussion groups on the social media site Google Plus, and Google has helpful ?Glass Guides? ready to answer any questions, too. I have to go seeking for the answers, unlike with other products already on the market. Those have enough users who have filled out online support information.

Source: http://newsok.com/5-things-ive-learned-about-beta-testing-from-google-glass/article/3861336?custom_click=rss

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