We all fear smart devices and wear-tech at some level-`They are listening to us!’, ‘I don’t want to be snooped on’. ‘ I want to secure my privacy.” These are just some of the statements we hear at many social gatherings. Combine this with the advent of AI, and you can add some other very popular one-liners being shot off, ‘They will soon take our jobs’, ‘What if they go rogue?’.
In many ways, these apprehensions are like the Y2K pandemonium, unwarranted and much less understood by us than we think. Tech evolution is inevitable, and transition ought to be a way of life. Technology is constantly evolving around us, so we must adapt accordingly. The way I do it is to dive in headfirst, as I recently did with two new and novel wearable devices. These devices would invoke all the fears I shared above, and my effort has been to weigh their pros and cons.
NeoSapien
What is it: This is a nifty little device that is shaped like a locket, which you hang around your neck.
What does it do: It listens, basically. The small device, intended to be worn on a chain around the neck, will record all your conversations throughout the day, or until the battery lasts (which, currently, is just shy of a working day), and store them as a transcript. The cool bit is its USP; NeoSapien processes the data and transforms it into a concise summation (or takeaways) from the conversation, including what was discussed, its implications, a key action plan (for you or other speakers), the next steps, etc. It tidies up the exchange and presents it neatly for use later.
Pros: When I had a conversation with Dhananjay Yadav, the co-founder and CEO of the Bangalore-based company, although we were both wearing the device, NeoSapien provided us with very different insights based on our perspectives. The algorithm is definitely intuitive and learns on the go, adapting to your unique way of working. The Hinglish capability is truly novel and valuable.
Cons: Battery needs work. The device feels clunky around the neck. It requires constant Bluetooth support, and unfortunately, the connection keeps dropping despite being in close proximity to the phone. The tactility of the main U-shaped button is poor, and the lack of any haptic feedback means you aren’t exactly sure when it's connected. Furthermore, the app doesn’t connect to other apps that would enable smoother data transfer, such as what Otter.ai does. Finally, a critical question for the device's developers is why not have an app version, which would make it much easier to use.
Added concern: Do I need to inform people in a meeting beforehand about my recorder? Am I violating privacy ethics just by wearing the recording device constantly? Additionally, since I wear the chain with the device under my shirt, it will be quite an exercise for me to take it out and reveal it to the person I am recording every time.
Ray-Ban X Meta Smart Glasses
What it is: Classic Ray-Ban glasses, now spiked with a camera and some AI features thanks to Meta.
What does it do: Your glasses can now take pictures, provide information about what you're looking at, and also playback music and map directions from your phone.
Pros: The camera helps capture moments that may otherwise be missed in the time it takes to pull out your phone and shoot. The cool, classic Ray-Ban case not only protects the glasses but also doubles as a charging unit with ample battery backup. Getting directions while walking was a cinch.
Cons: The picture resolution is low, and saturation is high, so don’t expect it to replace your phone. The viewfinder/camera being on your temples also means it doesn’t precisely capture what you see. The battery is so-so. The sound from the speakers is tinny and muddy, so it’s not entirely great for audiophiles. At the same time, it’s loud enough to be disturbing anyone sitting next to you – did they even consider bone conduction tech? Why couldn’t they use photochromatic lenses, so that the glasses could be used indoors as well as outdoors, or with progressive lenses? I was expecting a display akin to Iron Man’s mask or, at the very least, something like Terminator, but this tech feels far from anything like that for now.
Added Concern: Do I need to inform people I cross paths with about the camera on my face, which can invade their privacy more quickly and sneakily than NeoSapien? Do I need to seek consent from everyone around me if I wear these in public?
