Will Google Glass Catch On in the Office?

Christopher Kaeding performed his first Google Glass surgery, a knee-ligament reconstruction, in mid-August. Using Glass’s camera, Kaeding broadcast his view of the procedure to Ohio State University medical students in a nearby conference room while a doctor located seven miles away watched and consulted in real time. “The students can see better. They can ask questions,” says Kaeding. Most important for the orthopedic surgeon: The device’s voice controls allow him to shift between conversations with students and consultants without desterilizing his hands. Kaeding borrowed the Glass from a colleague who managed to score one of the more than 10,000 Google has given to schools or sold for $1,500 apiece ahead of its commercial launch. He plans to buy one when it makes its official debut in 2014.

“Glass is first and foremost a consumer device intended for people from all walks of life,” says Google spokesman Chris Dale. He adds that Google is also working with developers of business apps. Software maker Evernote has created a Google Glass note-taking app that can share notes and photos with other Glass wearers. The company’s chief executive officer, Phil Libin, predicts it will be used mostly at work.