Google glass - etiquette

 Google staged four discussions expounding on the finer points of its “Glass” wearable computer during this week's developer conference.

Missing from the agenda, however, was a session on etiquette when using the recording-capable gadget, which some attendees faithfully wore everywhere - including to the crowded bathrooms.

Google Glass, a cross between a mobile computer and eyeglasses that can both record video and surf the Internet, is now available to a select few but is already among the year's most buzz-worthy new gadgets. The device has geeks all aflutter but is unnerving everyone from lawmakers to casino operators worried about the potential for hitherto unimagined privacy and policy violations. 

 

Several Glass wearers at the developers conference said they whip the device off in inappropriate situations, such as in gym locker rooms or work meetings. Michael Evans, a Web developer from Washington, DC, attending the Google conference, said he removed his Glass when he went to the movies, even though the device would be ill-suited for recording a feature-length film.

“I just figured I don't want to be the first guy kicked out of the movies,” he said.

The  etiquette will probably follow the same path that mobile phones did, it took some time and still has not been established eg do you use it while driving, talking to friends, in meetings etc

it will be interesting to see how this goes because it is different to mobile phones in that session can be recorded.

Previous technology innovations such as mobile phones and wireless headsets that initially raised concerns are now subject to tacit rules of etiquette, such as not talking loudly on the bus and turning a ringer off in a meeting.

Still, some have decided to leave nothing to chance.

Casino operator Caesar's Entertainment recently announced that Glass is not permitted while gambling or when in showrooms, though guests can wear it in other areas. In March, Seattle's Five Point Cafe made headlines for becoming the first bar to ban Glass. “Respect our customers privacy as we'd expect them to respect yours,” says a statement on the café's website.

The California Highway Patrol says there is no law that explicitly forbids a driver from wearing Glass while driving in the state. But according to Officer Elon Steers, if a driver appears to be distracted as a result of the device, an officer can take enforcement action.

Lawmakers are beginning to consider Glass.

On Thursday, eight members of the US Congress sent a letter to Google Chief Executive Larry Page, asking for details about how Glass handles various privacy issues, including whether it is capable of facial recognition.

According to Google, there are no facial recognition technologies built into the device and it has no plans to do so “unless we have strong privacy protections in place.”

http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/technology/gadgets/google-s-wearable-gadget-cool-or-creepy-1.1518688#.UZrCbspz524