For all the hype about Google Glass and other wearable technologies, it’s not hard to imagine interesting — and practical — uses for the tech in field service. This week, those use cases came one day closer to becoming a reality, literally. Google sold its $1,500 smart headset for one day only. Here’s a look at the reception, and other technology news from around the Web this week that field service pros shouldn’t miss:
Google Glass on Sale — for One Day
The response to Google’s one-day Glass sale, much like people’s reactions thus far, was mixed. Google reportedly sold out of one of the five versions of Glass that it offered. Other people’s enthusiasm, however, was a bit more tempered.
In a review on Channelnomics, technology journalist Larry Walsh writes that his Glass purchase was “probably the worst $1,500 I’ve ever spent in my life.” Walsh’s main complaints are that Glass isn’t ready for daily use and has limited functionality at this point. “Google Glass suffers from a lack of applications, limited battery life, non-intuitive user interface, insufficient configuration controls and, frankly, social deniability,” writes Walsh. Despite those reservations, Walsh acknowledges its huge potential in industries such as field service — that is, once practical applications exist for technicians.
Did you purchase Google Glass on Tuesday for your field service organization? Let us know how you intend to use it.
Read more at USA Today and Channelnomics
Report: Wearable, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Tech Huge for Field Service
A new field service industry report sponsored by technology company Trimble highlights just how big of an opportunity so-called wearable technologies such as Google Glass could be in field service. The report identifies several technological changes coming to the industry, including:
- Authentic wearable applications: “Like it or not, field service is being reshaped by the mobile revolution, and in 2014, no tech will be safe. Wearable technology will break out onto the scene to revolutionize the way techs go about their day-to-day work,” Deanna Gillen, editor-in-chief of the Field Service Blog, writes in the report.
- Technician of the future: Technicians that are entering the workforce will bring a native understanding of the use, and value, of mobile technologies, apps and technologies such as cloud computing.
- Link between profit and great service: “Profits will continue to depend on superb service, as field service executives realize a positive customer experience translates to higher customer loyalty,” Joyce Tam, director of product marketing at Trimble, writes in Business2Community about the report.
The report is available here (registration required).
Read more at Business2Community and Field Technologies Online
High-Tech Safety Goggles
Google isn’t the only company hoping to cash in on the wearable technology wave. Among future competitors is XOEye Technologies, a Nashville-based firm that’s piloting a wearable headset targeted to industries with machine diagnostic and scanning needs, including manufacturing and field service.
Though still in the pilot stage, XOEye’s wearable device will be significantly cheaper than Google Glass ($499 for XOEye vs. $1,500 for Google Glass) and will come with a twist: it’s a certified safety goggle. The company expects to make the product available late summer 2014.
Read more at The Tennessean
How Well Do You Know Your Fleet?
You’ve likely heard of the Dog Whisperer, but now meet the …. Truck Whisperer? Invented by Fleetmatics, he’s the guy who intrinsically knows a truck’s (and van’s) every need, including how to keep them happy and running smoothly. His favorite type of truck? “I see very little difference in trucks themselves. I mean, they make 18 wheelers, passenger vans, utility vans, with lift gates, without, and so on — but all that aside — a truck is a truck to me,” says the Truck Whisperer.
Check him out in action:
Read more at Fleetmatics
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