Google’s raft of new technology has been revealed last week, included the usual new Pixel 2 smartphone, set of Google Home media smart devices and a new Pixelbook notebook for the student crowd. But the smallest piece of news might be for the biggest deal from the event, one that may trigger some strong memories for moviegoers. It’s about the new Google Clips cam.
Remember that movie…
Anyone who has seen The Circle will know it is a cheesy yet earnest movie about the perils of full access social media, with an all-seeing webcam as the techno-star of the show, also starring Emma Watson for what it is worth. In a world where anyone can watch and share anything, would real good come from that or would there be a race to the bottom in terms of exploitation?
That’s the big question and while Google wants to play up the family friendly side of its Google Clips cam, and how it uses AI, there are plenty of doubts. Users put the camera somewhere sociable and it can smartly learn when to take that perfect picture of family or friends at an event.
The two-inch square camera has a 130-degree field of view, similar to the Nest cameras. It can take seven-second clips of HD video that can be stored as photos or video in Google’s cloud and shared.
Not for free though
Of course, Tom Hanks in The Circle gave his eyeball like gadget away for free. Google is charging $249 for the Google Clips cam, so it isn’t something you’d want to leave everywhere. However, this is only the start, rivals will launch cheaper versions, sharing rights will be broadened and some crazed hacker is bound to find a way into the network.
So, are we big on the idea of little cameras that could be pointed anywhere? Or is this going to be a step too far for the social media generation? Yes, good and bad can come from this, but given what’s happening with the slide into the gutter of most social media, will families really risk it?
It is said that the unit will also run without Internet connection but can we trust them? Let’s stay carefully cautious around this matter without playing the blame game. This is not a movie. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us below in the comments!
YouTube: Google Clips | Get creative
https://youtu.be/Br7hZu0WKKQ
Photo credit: Google
