Virgin Takes Wearable Computing to New Heights

Virgin Atlantic reps will use Google Glass to help serve Upper Class passengers over the next six weeks. Source: Virgin Atlantic.

Wearable computing isn't just changing fashion. It's also changing business, Fool contributor Tim Beyers says in the following video.

Consider Virgin Atlantic. The carrier has outfit its Upper Class lounge concierges with Google Glass for checking in premium flyers as they arrive. The six-week experiment follows a study of passenger attitudes in which 42% said flying is "less glamorous" than it used to be. Virgin is embracing advanced technology such as Glass in hopes of changing the dynamic.

This isn't terribly surprising. Virgin tends to push boundaries in just about everything it does. Competing long-haul carriers aren't likely to adopt Glass anytime soon. Yet Tim says it's also worth noting that Virgin prides itself on delivering a high-touch experience to its most valuable customers. The airline wouldn't expose them to Glass if Google hadn't built a trustworthy system.

Meanwhile, the wearable computing revolution continues at pace. Fitness devices alone are expected to account for $1.15 billion in revenue this year, up from just $43 million in 2009. It's a good time for investors to take a closer look at this space.

Now it's your turn to weigh in. What other ways can wearable computing improve business? Please watch the video to get Tim's full take, then leave a comment to let us know whether you would buy, sell, or short Google stock at current prices.

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The article Virgin Takes Wearable Computing to New Heights originally appeared on Fool.com.

Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Google at the time of publication. Check out Tim's web home and portfolio holdings or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool recommends Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Google. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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