Google: “It’s a substitute for a good memory.”

October 16th, 2012

This is exceedingly true.  I find myself memorizing less because I know I can instantly Google things. This may spell the downfall of mankind, perhaps. But Google doesn’t want to stop there.

Google wants to answer your questions before you even ask it.

“It’s not just a question of having screens everywhere or wearing a screen, but also this whole idea of phones and devices becoming more context-aware, so they can offer information that is highly relevant,” said Pattie Maes, founder and director of the M.I.T. Media Lab fluid interfaces group, which studies how to integrate digital information into daily life.

If people are discussing the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies over dinner, for instance, phones will be able to hear that and present a map, she said. Or when you meet someone, your glasses could show you the person’s LinkedIn profile and your last e-mail exchange.

“It’s the integration of the digital and physical worlds so no longer are they two relatively separate spheres where you have to make the connection between them,” Ms. Maes said.

 As crazy as that sounds, the Glasses feature would be pretty cool. Very often, I see a person who knows who I am, but I don’t remember who they are. The identification feature would be invaluable.