Please review the official word from Google here, then check out my thoughts below…
Myth 1 - Glass is the ultimate distraction from the real world
Everything Google said is spot on, Glass was designed so I don’t have to pull out my phone when information is provided on the screen, and glancing at it quickly while living my life is convenient. Because it’s so new, it is a disruption and a distraction for others, which is why until my friends are more comfortable with it I usually take them off when not going places. I was recently ask why I wasn't wearing my Glass during a conversation with a friend and when I replied because it was too new and I didn't want it to be a distraction and that I’d wear it when she was more familiar with it, I was called considerate. That’s the crux of what Google’s recent
“Don’t be aglasshole” message is all about, Explorers should be taking these issues into consideration!
Myth 2: Glass is always on and recording everything
OMG this is my favorite topic! Glass doesn't have the battery life to record longer than probably 20 solid minutes. I couldn’t record everything if I wanted to! I think this is the greatest fear of the general public and is the easiest to dispel.
By default, Glass is asleep. So I have to tilt my head or tap the side just to wake it up, and then either hold down a button on top for a few seconds or give a verbal command to “Record a video” which will start a 10 second recording. I can then tap the side of Glass while it’s recording the 10 second clip to extend it, but each second of recording chews up critical battery life.
Myth 3 - Glass Explorers are technology-worshipping geeks
Explorers are early adopters, no question, but I think what Google has tried to do is make sure it’s not just the techno-centric people that get in. Think about it this way: Having a wide breadth of Explorers from all walks of life will help Google find the use cases where Glass fits and gives them the marketability for the consumer release. If they limited the trials to just techies what are the chances a firefighter or ironman athlete would find the uses they are?
Myth 4 - Glass is ready for prime time
Glass is a prototype and frankly I think it’s a ways away from the commercial product. I would like to see a better camera, a lens cover for the camera, a longer battery, Bluetooth keyboard support, and other features before the final edition.
Myth 5: Glass does facial recognition (and other dodgy things)
If only…I know it sounds creepy, and I get it, but I have a horrible memory and frankly something will come along to help me put faces to names. Maybe someday I can get a feed from the NSA of who you all are!
Myth 6: Glass covers your eye(s)
This is my best explanation: Sitting in your car, looking directly out the window, the screen is where your sun visor folds up. It’s about the same distance to look up at the screen as it is to look down at your speedometer or gauges. It’s out of your primary line of sight!
Myth 7 - Glass is the perfect surveillance device
Perfect? You can see it…when it’s recording the tiny screen reflection showing me what it’s recording is visible to you too. I've seen 1080p button cameras that are more discreet surveillance devices and please re-read Myth 2. It’s just not.
Myth 8 - Glass is only for those privileged enough to afford it
The prototype is VERY EXPENSIVE. I only got mine because the invitation and the money to afford it arrived at the same time out of the blue as if by fate. I still took three days to decide if this was right for me before I agreed. I have seen lots of people go the Indiegogo and GoFundMe method to get the money for Glass and I know of some who got their work to pick it up. I agree it’s a high bar but I don’t think it’s unreachable.
Myth 9 - Glass is banned... EVERYWHERE
I have not encountered a situation where it was, or where I was asked to remove it. I voluntarily lift it up to rest on the top of my head when I enter the bathroom, but that’s more to be considerate of others.
Myth 10 - Glass marks the end of privacy
There is a lot we can point to as the end of privacy. I think this is an important topic, so I don’t want to just dismiss it, but I think we as a people need to be challenged to think long and hard about what privacy means to us collectively. We've already discussed how Glass isn't recording by default, and if it was to record you, Google is trying to prevent that recording from having facial recognition so I think that should cover it, but to move the conversation forward to the next step: Let’s try this tack: If I was standing in a crowd and said “Who’s that guy with the hat?” and someone next to me said “That’s the Pope” was the Pope’s privacy just violated? If I was at a High School football game and said the same about a guy in a flannel shirt and someone identified him as Billy from the plant was his privacy violated? I look forward to this discussion in the coming years, I think privacy will be a huge topic, and I can’t wait for honest and open discourse about it.
Final Analysis
I think it’s critical for Glass Explorers to be considerate, open, and patient while the rest of the world adapts and reacts to this product. It’s exciting to be on the forefront of a technology innovation and how ever the “wearable” trend works out, I am learning a great deal about life through this experience. I pray the general public will seek first to understand before they try to be understood, but I know my role in this scene is not to antagonize. Thank you for your time and consideration…
