Since its launch in 2013, Google Glass, a wearable computer mounted to a pair of eyeglasses, has been a cutting-edge technology that has garnered a lot of media coverage but has not become widespread because of the limited number of glasses available to the public. 

The Google Glass technology allows users to video chat with anyone with a Google+ account using video recorded by the glasses. 

One interesting business use in the Wilmington area has been at the St. James Plantation residential community, where sales staffers are using the technology to communicate with homebuyers during the construction phase. 

Clients are kept up to date on the progress of their homes using videoconferences directly from the glasses, said Ursula Ehrenfeld, St. James’ IT director.

One example she gave was how Eddie Addison, sales executive at St. James, communicated with a customer using the glasses. 

The customer had not seen the progress on their home in more than six weeks, Ehrenfeld said.

“They were finishing the fireplace and putting in wood. There was no way for [the client] to
get down, so he shoots an update video and sends it to her.” 

In another case, Addison was able to sell a lot after showing off the property on a video from the Google Glass.

Clients on the other end can attend the videoconference with any Mac or PC as long as they are able to log into their Google+ account, and anyone with a YouTube or Gmail account automatically has this type of account. One of the challenges impeding St. James’ desire to expand the use of Google Glass to its entire sales staff is that Google only make a limited number of pairs available.  

“Three of the other sales execs want to get them. The real limitation is getting another pair,” Ehrenfeld said.   

Currently, Goggle Glass is in a closed beta, and prospective buyers must sign onto a waiting list.

Recently, Google did open the program up on one day only – April 15 – for anyone in the U.S. to pay $1,500 to buy a pair.  

The company did not disclose how many were sold that day, but Google reported selling out of some of the colors during the event.