How will augmented reality (AR) glasses work for consumers?
Whats going to lead the development of these devices?
I think it will come down to decisions regarding the input.
Those decisions are going to dictate what the UI and UX will become.
This is instead of the opposite; the UX/UI dictating the inputs.
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These are all useful attributes in our current interaction with computers.
Some of these will live on for AR wearables.
For example, voice may be combined with gesture recognition.
Voice command or AI-powered personal assistants can also help control your graphic orientation, and decision-making environment.
Theres also the likely inclusion of a controller as an input.
Eye-tracking or gazing will also be a factor.
Say Im in a meeting, now I cant really use my hands in front of my face.
And I cant really talk.
So eye-tracking or gazing could be another way to navigate content, but not be noticeable to anyone else.
This input will be critical in circumstances when neither voice or using your hands is an option.
The question still remains, what input is going to lead to what in terms of UI and UX?
And the combination will have to be contextual.
Heres what I mean.
Say I put my smart glasses on in the morning just ahead when Im about to start driving.
The headset will have a gyro on it and itll know that its in motion.
But I will be able to use voice recognition, and Ill be able to use eye-tracking.
How much is too much?
It is a dilemma that has to be solved no matter what.
Many people believe a Waze-like app will be one of the first for AR eyeglasses.
It makes sense and people should be excited about it.
But it is going to take a very lightweight version of that kind of system.
But it is possible.
No little cartoon characters.
But there is always a danger in overdoing it.
For the average person, the cognitive load one experiences when using AR glasses may prove too heavy.
And users would always prefer less and not more.
They want to see their view of the real world.
But they also want to have only the information that they absolutely need when they need it.
It wont work to overwhelm people by throwing too much digital content and too many distractions into ones view.
How cool will it be when it happens?
First, you have to get people to pay for and wear the glasses.
How do you price it?
How do I give enough value that someone might wear glasses that just had laser surgery?
Whats too much input, or too much content?
Whats the right amount?
These are the considerations industry insiders are obsessing on.
But when its all figured out, it will be a major game changer.
You are looking at a cultural shift that will even dwarf the autonomous automobile.
Ari received a degree in marketing and management from Touro College.
