Google Glass has made its way into a marketplace full of high-tech and “the future is now” technology. The device has had extremely mixed reviews. In a paralleled fashion, Major League Baseball’s review system has been a debated topic.
But with the MLB looking to expand its replay system, is there a chance that Google Glass could find a niche use with umpires? The answer to this may come down to, dare I say, battery life. Any smartphone user knows how crucial battery life is. It just so happens that Google Glass is no different.
Either way, closer consideration is necessary to settle such a dispute. First, we must simply look at Google Glass to understand its capabilities as a unique product. Next, we can build an understanding of how exactly Glass could be used during a baseball game. Finally, by weighing the strengths and weaknesses, we should be able to come to a conclusion as to whether or not this product will find its way onto a baseball field. Again, it all starts with the product.
Google Glass specs
Google Glass seems to be in a product category with little competition. One of the first things to consider is the resolution of the display. Google claims the following: “High resolution display is the equivalent of a 25 inch high definition screen from eight feet away.” That certainly has a promising sound to it.
The Glass system utilizes a 5 megapixel camera and 720p video capabilities. There is no zoom feature and video defaults to 10 second lengths, unless the user presses and holds the shutter button. This action enables the user to take lengthier videos. Also, the device can be controlled with a touchpad located on the right arm, or by voice commands, making it rather versatile.
Potential MLB Application
So how can Google Glass be used to create a better product for baseball fans? Considering the video capabilities, players could easily use the technology to give fans a look at the field from the player’s perspective. Many players in the outfield wear sunglasses on their hats, yet are seen shielding their eyes from the sun. If players are going to wear sunglasses as a fashion statement, why not have them wear Glass instead? This would be a great way to give fans unique video content during games that they have never seen before.
With Google Voice being a major part of Glass’s functionality, game notes could easily be recorded for later use. Perhaps a manager sees an opportunity for a player to improve his game. With Glass, annotation can be done on the spot. Paired with a video, the coaches or managers video that they capture while wearing Glass in the dugout could either be viewed instantly, saved to the device, saved to the cloud, or sent via email for further examination after the game.
All of this leads to the battery. While Google Glass is still in its development stages, Google claims there is one full day of typical use. This has proven to be optimistic at most. Many testers are finding Glass to last three to four hours during constant use. Of course this depends on exactly how the product is being used. With three to four hours of tough use, the Glass project would need to see some improvements in battery capacity to make an MLB outing work.
The overall idea though, is to improve the game and the experience for fans. With that in mind, Major League Baseball could look at the various functions Glass has to offer and figure out how those features could impact the game from a not only a fan’s perspective, but an umpire’s as well.
