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Google Tries To Defuse Glass "Myths"

Posted by timothy on from the not-all-opinions-are-myths dept.

As reported by Beta News, Google has tried to answer some of the criticism that its Glass head-mounted system has inspired with a blog post outlining and explaining what it calls 10 "myths" about the system. Google's explanation probably won't change many minds, but in just a few years the need to defend head-worn input/output devices might seem quaint and backwards.

9 of 363 comments (clear)

  1. A lense cover by bit+trollent · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If Google had just included a lens cover then Glass would just be a status symbol for ultra-nerdy hipsters.

    With an uncovered camera always conspicuously pointed in everybody's face Google Glass is an unmistakable reminder of our Orwellian world.

    1. Re:A lense cover by Luckyo · · Score: 5, Informative

      Pointing a phone at faces is considered rude in many cultures specifically because it implies you're taking pictures. Vast majority of people who use phones point the camera at a downward angle, so all it could take pictures of is people's feet.

    2. Re:A lense cover by sahuxley · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Go into a bar or strip club and point your camera phone every direction you turn your head. See how long it takes for one of those "idiots" to knock you out.

    3. Re:A lense cover by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Well said! There is a big difference between holding a phone vertically at eye hight (=most probably taking a picture) and the diagonal position used to crush candy or communicate via text or do other stuff. I think it is a sign on the wall that 99% of the criticism is about taking pictures and only 1% about things like distraction and so forth. It is all about consent and not knowing if someone is (not) taking a picture. And even if the wearer is not actively engaged in taking pictures, remote access tools might be able to take over. There is a reason I got the webcam taped off on my laptop... I just simply fail to see why a webcam strapped to a face is a nice idea.

      It's not only about taking pictures and video without consent, it is about the device doing it being connected to the immense data collection machine that is Google, with capabilities to aggregate and correlate, track and face-recognize.

  2. Quaint and backwards? by Megol · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Like the expectation of not every action being tracked, recorded and analysed? Like the expectation of privacy and freedom?

    I don't hope we'll ever come to that scenario.

  3. Forbes seems to refute some of Google's claims her by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2014/03/18/researchers-google-glass-spyware-sees-what-you-see

  4. GoPro HD vs. Google Glass by DutchUncle · · Score: 5, Insightful

    When I see someone wearing a camera for total recording on a ski slope, or on a bicycle trail, I don't feel bothered. Fat and unphotogenic, perhaps, but not bothered. OTOH the one time I saw someone walking around with a Google Glass on a normal day on a normal street, no special activities, no special event, nothing active to be watching, I felt: Why is this guy watching me?

    It's like noticing another person in a crowd looking at you vs. noticing a policeman looking at you.

  5. Google arrogance by peppepz · · Score: 5, Informative

    They didn't address any of the problems. They just called them "myths" and said "don't worry, trust us, everything will be fine" for each one of them. And they did so using condescending, arrogant and insulting language (look for example at the passage when they declare that they want people to wear google glasses inside locker rooms (!): "just bear in mind, would-be banners..."). This reinforces in me the distrust in the company and the concern about the product.

  6. Paranoia by Windwraith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why is it that makes people think Glass is nothing but a surveillance device SPECIFICALLY conceived to record them and absolutely nothing else?

    Get real, people. It's impossible for that device to be recording 24/7. It's unrealistic to think it's going to automagically upload the video to Google for analysis. Just apply some common sense. If no other device can, so can't Glass.

    I like the idea of the device for AR experiments, information delivery and yes, taking the occasional picture of something that would take longer to prepare and set a camera, such as birds (that will fly away the moment you prepare your camera or phone) and finished elaborate pastries which I am very proud of. I have no intention or interest on recording people doing mundane boring daily crap that I have no business recording.

    Anyway, this shows a very ugly collective paranoia that should stop before somebody gets hurt for no reason. Yes, I specifically say hurt because that's the common thing: "If I see some glasshole pointing that thing at me I'll DESTROY THEM". And, no, guys, you AREN'T that interesting to warrant recording you. Unless you are some form of celebrity, which I doubt.

    Nerd bravado at its best. Seriously. Mod me troll if you wish, I don't care, but someone has to say this.