We live in weird and wonderful times, more so when it comes to the latest technology and gadgets. Companies like Google and Apple are among the bringers of new technology, or in the case of the latter, refining many a product and helping them integrate with our daily lives.
The Google Glass, and forgive me for the ‘The’ in the beginning of the sentence, is one such product. It could totally change the way we live our lives, but it is yet to be something that has either been accepted socially (mostly because it is too new), or be fully integrated, mostly because not only is it too new, it is also a bit expensive (for a toy), and so far poses more questions than it answers.
However, there are other forces at work here, that are against it too.
States in the USA have been banning people from wearing these while driving, while in the UK there is a ban on using them in cinemas. Bearing in mind, most smart phones are capable of a lot better video quality, and almost every person going to a cinema (the lucky few who can afford to) probably has one in their pocket.
A bit annoyed perhaps, or a bit worried about this resistance to new technology, I turned where I turn the most when I have such queries, Twitter, and popped the question. It was, in fact, the Google Glass team that responded:
I have posted a screen shot just in case things change, but for the sake of completion, the link to the above tweet is here:
https://twitter.com/googleglass/status/483678431477895168
Of course, the simple fact is that if I did have to carry a ‘spare pair’ with me at all times, it will mean that I will drop using Google Glasses.
Now this is where I must ask a few questions:
- Is this ban a pre-emptive strike? After all the quality of image from such a device is far from ideal.
- Is this ban more of a ‘sign of things to come’?
- Is this ban something that has been because of a panic, rather than understanding the technology, and will it be turned back later?
- If the ban holds out, as it might just, where will it spread to?
- If most places start to ban this, will the product survive at all?
- The product, of course, has many applications outside of the natural world, such as academia, work place, sports, etc. So will it become something that just lives through professionalism?
- Will the ban spread to other wearables? Samsung’s watches have known to have a camera or two on them?
- What about spy cameras? They are sold cheaply, as well as manufactured in high quantities.
- Is this really about piracy?
- Does this in anyway relate to the latest security law passed in US and UK airports about devices being able to run when checked?
- Can some kind of a ‘kill’ switch be used instead of a ban, which enforces these items to be off if prompted. Also, what would be the nature of this ‘kill’ switch? Could it be controlled externally, or purely through your choice. Security of the kill switch will be crucial too.
I leave all these questions to you. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts, and perhaps get a discussion going. I understand that the article is a bit late considering, but it is still applicable.
I don’t really have a set opinion about Glass just yet. I like the concept and its potential, but at the same time I think the general public who doesn’t “get it” will feel to uncomfortable with people around them using it.
Also, although I initially didn’t think so, Glass poses a lot of issues when it comes to safety and security.
Cinema piracy is one issue, but safety is another. Tomi from GadgetsBoy recently covered his experience driving with Glass and it seems more dangerous than it’s worth.
All in all, it’ll be great for personal/professional use, but there’s a lot of “ground rules” to cover before it’s adopted properly.
Definitely the case with new technology, and a lot more new and weird wonderful things may present us the same challenge in the future.