Yesterday afternoon, courtesy of my friends at Toronto-based innovation firm BNOTIONS, I had the opportunity to give Google’s upcoming project “Glass” a spin. After about an hour with it; taking pictures of Bella, walking around outside, toying with the “Ok Glass” system of voice activation, and overall nergasm-ing, I am still left thinking about it; I am just unsure of how to put my feelings into words.

You see, I only had a short time to test Glass, but it was enough time to realize that this is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. It feels immediately fascinating, strange, and overwhelming all at the same time. Matthew Patience, Technical Director of Android at BNOTIONS, describes the first moments using Glass as “really awkward”.

Even partaking in the mundane task of walking my dog on Front St felt insecure and awkward. Everywhere I turned, with Glass conspicuously on my head, I felt like people were watching me, wondering nervously if I was someone from the future or simply a nerd playing with a new toy.

“At first, you’re not sure what to do with it,” says Patience, “Using it for a couple of days consistently allows you to understand when it’s appropriate to use, or not use, and how it fits in to your daily life.”

With just a simple tap of your right temple, or slight head jerk up, you’re met by the screen above, which seems to be anxiously awaiting its next task aimed at making your life easier. Once stated, you’re greeted with a secondary set of questions aimed at narrowing down your wants,

once announced, you’re off to the races.

“Google’s major focus with Glass is on the experience. They want it to feel natural. This accounts for why the UI is very plain, but still very functional. Even a task like Googling an image is done super quickly because it doesn’t need to load a browser, the image pops-up right in front of you.”

With Glass Explorers now roaming the streets, the buzz about this device has reached a fever pitch. But it’s important not to oversell Glass. In its current state, Glass does not deliver any magical new features, rather it delivers familiar and useful smartphone features in a unique and magical way. Patience says being aware of this distinction is pivotal in enjoying Glass.

“You have to go in to using Glass with no preconceived thoughts on what it is or what it does,” he explains, “If you do, you’ll have a bad time. When you explore the Glass giving it the chance it deserves, you love it.”

Patience also makes notable mention that “a) not just anyone can develop for Glass, the program is closed to only owners of the headwear and b) what we are creating for Glass are called “services”, not apps, and they’re being dubbed “GlassWare” by Google. Once a developer owns their own set, they go to the GlassWare web app, sign in with Google + and are off to the races.”

During our conversation, Patience sounded positive about the pick-up of Glass, “I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from my peers”, developers are enjoying the possibilities of what it can do!” . Using the product reminded me of the time when Bluetooth headsets were just breaking into market. When early adopters were seen on the street using this ugly ostentatious piece of glowing plastic, they were considered to be “nuts” and no one thought it would go anywhere. Fast forward a few years, with evolution of the Bluetooth connection and alas wireless communication as a whole, using Bluetooth to communicate (though in a more evolved state, no one likes those ugly headsets anymore) on the go has become a norm and part of everyday life.

Whereas I can’t say I am necessarily sold on Glass in its current state, I can see the potential and how it can make us, as a population more sociable.

“After using it extensively, I have found that my relationship with my friends has grown stronger. I feel like I am more aware of what they’re saying and how they are feeling because I am more focused on them and less on using my phone. I don’t need to touch my phone to send or respond to a text. Also, I feel like I am getting to know Toronto more….I feel like every day I am discovering more about it that I didn’t know because my head is no longer down!

He also goes on to mention to how much easier, and less awkward, it is to take pictures ”without needing to pull my phone out all the time”.

“I think overall adoption rate will be based on price point and, eventually, more GlassWare choice. Like with all new products, once the ecosystem grows and the price subsequently drops, people will be drawn to it; they’ll want to know what all the fuss is about.” says Patience, further The only real downside to glass is its inability to take or place a call in any environment that isn’t dead silent. The speaker just isn’t strong enough.”

From my hour with Google Glass there were was only one very prevalent issue that stood out to me and I think that is solely a user issue: the lack of current support for people who need to wear prescription glasses. I simply can’t wear contact lenses. Because of this, I found myself continuously squinting to see the screen, thus causing myself a headache. Patience said that Google does have plans to make a prescription-compatible variant to Glass, but that option isn’t available at this time. If you however don’t fall into that category, I can see the allure that Glass offers. It’s our first real glimpse at the future of true hands-free wireless communication. Glass not only allows us to relive our childhood “Dick Tracey-esque” technological fantasies, but also gives us hope that in time we can truly compromise with our loved ones by being able to capture the special moments in life without our phones being anywhere in site.

Now that is a concept I am excited for.

You can learn more about Google Glass here or learn more about BNOTIONS here, the firm that made this experience possible for me.

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