Going Forward - GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones - page 199

turn-by-turn directions—like those used in gps—uses a different part of the
brain. This means everyone is subject to the “use it or lose it” principle, not
just taxi drivers.
Bohbot speculates that overreliance on gps navigation could hasten normal
age-related degeneration of the hippocampus and thereby increase the risk of
dementia, previously associated with a reduction in volume in that part of the
brain. 118 She recommends that people use gps to learn about the environment
but not become dependent on it. “Use it on your way to a new place, and use
your memory on the way back,” she counsels. “If you know that you will be
turning off your gps, you will pay attention to the environment, giving your-
self a healthy cognitive workout.” 119
Technology, however, will not wait on the answers to such questions, and
the trends for mobile geolocation applications and location-based services
discussed in the preceding chapter suggest scenarios as futuristic as cars with
autopilot. Google plans to solve the problem of people stumbling as they walk
around staring down at smartphones with an interactive heads-up display built
into a device worn like eyeglasses. 120 The company announced Project Glass
in April 2012 and posted a concept video on YouTube demonstrating hands-
free, voice-activated text messaging, video chat, pop-up maps, turn-by-turn
directions, calendar reminders, music, check-in at locations via social net-
works, and photo taking—the majority of smartphone features. 121 The
announcement sparked inevitable comparisons to science fiction cyborg char-
acters such as the Terminator, RoboCop, and Star Trek 's Geordi Laforge. While
Google refines the concept's implementation, it is working to enhance every-
day appeal by teaming with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. 122
Voice control has limitations, so some method of touch interaction seems
probable. That could be a trackball on the device, a wirelessly connected smart-
phone, or a “smart glove” that allows users to “touch” the virtual screen pro-
jected in front of them to swipe an image or tap a keyboard. 123 The company
is targeting the rechristened Google Glass for consumer release in 2014 at a
price around $1,500, but details are subject to change—competition in the
augmented-reality eyewear sector is likely to be fierce.124 124 Apple has filed pat-
ents, and other companies pursing similar technology include video eyewear
specialist Vuzix of Rochester, New York, multinational optical and imaging
giant Olympus, the gaming software company Valve, and British-based ttp
(The Technology Partnership). 125 Bellevue, Washington-based Innovega has
created augmented reality contact lenses. 126 The company signed a contract