Google Glass

[toxibunny]

Come to think of it, I have a feeling a clear indication like a red light and maybe a shutter sound, may well end up an EU regulation (if it isn't already). They tend to be quite heavy handed in our favour with regulations (see also things like insisting all phones charge over microUSB) so it may not be an issue in that sense.

Ah, sorry if it seems like I'm picking on you, but if they force a red light and a shutter sound, or ban them or whatever, then they're certainly not working in my favour. Although I'm not particularly into the google glass idea, I do think it's important to stand up for our right to record them. They'll dress it up as 'BAN GOOGLE GLASS BECAUSE PEDOS AND PERVERTS WILL FILM YOUR KIDS AND GIRLFRIEND' but it's not really about that at all...

[pogo]

There's no law mandating a shutter sound here or in the US: there is in Japan, which may be why many cameras made there have shutter sounds that are hard to silence, but it's not universal. As for a light when taking a video I think that's even less common and certainly not a requirement.

I can't see Google adding either to the glasses if they don't have to. You don't really want your glasses glowing and clicking, especially as both would need additional hardware: a front facing light and a speaker which can be heard metres away (which would be very loud next to your ear). Hardly selling points, especially if they can't be disabled.

[Cloudane]

Ah, sorry if it seems like I'm picking on you, but if they force a red light and a shutter sound, or ban them or whatever, then they're certainly not working in my favour. Although I'm not particularly into the google glass idea, I do think it's important to stand up for our right to record them. They'll dress it up as 'BAN GOOGLE GLASS BECAUSE PEDOS AND PERVERTS WILL FILM YOUR KIDS AND GIRLFRIEND' but it's not really about that at all...

I actually agree with you and as it happens there's no law against photographing people in public (though if someone decided to cause a stink about it, the cops could use the catch-all "breaching the peace / causing a disturbance"). I can definitely see them dressing it up like that though and people getting pretty shirty about it.

[pogo]

Forget Google Glass. Why not Google Contacts?

Which is not as crazy as it sounds. Sure, there's no way it's possible now, or likely to become so for a while. But I can't see any reason why it can't happen. The CCDs in cameras and phones are tiny; we don't make displays so small but we could. People are also investigating flexible circuitry, for e.g. applying to paper but why not contact lenses? Communications and power are issues, but chips keep getting smaller and using less power. Besides you'll never need much power to drive something so small, and they will spend much of the time off. Presumably they'll only need very short range communication to an earpiece which plays sounds to go with the vision.

Once this is possible it could take off much more than Google Glass. While glasses are can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for many people contact lenses can be worn pretty much all the time anywhere. People wear them not just to correct vision problems but also for fashion. They are in particular a lot less obtrusive than glasses, so no stares of curiosity/envy/suspicion.

It can't include a camera but that's a feature not a limitation. Google themselves might be better off making Glass without a camera, to avoid a future backlash over privacy. This would also make it cheaper, lighter, less obtrusive and easier to make. Many people take few or no photos with their phone and the same will be true for Glass. Anyway it needs a cellphone to work out in the field so there's a camera if you need one.

[(o)(o)]

Forget Google Glass. Why not Google Contacts?

Which is not as crazy as it sounds. Sure, there's no way it's possible now, or likely to become so for a while. But I can't see any reason why it can't happen. The CCDs in cameras and phones are tiny; we don't make displays so small but we could. People are also investigating flexible circuitry, for e.g. applying to paper but why not contact lenses? Communications and power are issues, but chips keep getting smaller and using less power. Besides you'll never need much power to drive something so small, and they will spend much of the time off. Presumably they'll only need very short range communication to an earpiece which plays sounds to go with the vision.

Once this is possible it could take off much more than Google Glass. While glasses are can be uncomfortable and inconvenient for many people contact lenses can be worn pretty much all the time anywhere. People wear them not just to correct vision problems but also for fashion. They are in particular a lot less obtrusive than glasses, so no stares of curiosity/envy/suspicion.

It can't include a camera but that's a feature not a limitation. Google themselves might be better off making Glass without a camera, to avoid a future backlash over privacy. This would also make it cheaper, lighter, less obtrusive and easier to make. Many people take few or no photos with their phone and the same will be true for Glass. Anyway it needs a cellphone to work out in the field so there's a camera if you need one.

Daily disposable or.. ?

[pogo]

You get monthly and longer lasting. It should be easier in one way: normal contact lenses are thick as they are lenses: they need to be a certain thickness for the shape of the lens. Plus unlike regular contact lenses you don't need to wear them all the time, only when you want to use them, maybe only when doing outdoor activities (some people do this with contact lenses and wear glasses at other times – it can be cheaper in the long run as the contact lenses last longer). If you're sat at your desk with your PC or at home with your iPad they're a lot less necessary.

Again, people wear contact lenses purely for fashion to change the way their eyes look. If people are willing to put lenses in their eyes for such a frivolous reason they'd certainly be happy to do the same with ones that are actually useful. As an added bonus they'd probably have to be fashion lenses, i.e. coloured and not transparent, to hide the workings. You could of course get ones that match your natural eye colour.

[zip accident]

Again, people wear contact lenses purely for fashion to change the way their eyes look. If people are willing to put lenses in their eyes for such a frivolous reason they'd certainly be happy to do the same with ones that are actually useful. As an added bonus they'd probably have to be fashion lenses, i.e. coloured and not transparent, to hide the workings.

I wear bi-focals, you can't do that with contact lenses, I think that makes these contacts like the others, a young people only option.

You could of course get ones that match your natural eye colour.

Or not, as the case may be.

[(o)(o)]

Just wait a couple more years, and you'll be able to drink nano technology that enters your blood stream and constructs itself into a computer in your head which imports information from Google into your brain directly.

[The ghost of raids past]

Just wait a couple more years, and you'll be able to drink nano technology that enters your blood stream and constructs itself into a computer in your head which imports information from Google into your brain directly.

No it will scan your memories and desires and send targeted adverts straight to the section of your brain that decides what to buy

[Ratsoap]

Just wait a couple more years, and you'll be able to drink nano technology that enters your blood stream and constructs itself into a computer in your head which imports information from Google into your brain directly.

No it will scan your memories and desires and send targeted adverts straight to the section of your brain that decides what to buy

[Deckard]

As Google Translate is so good these days I presume it will have a pretty good realtime conversion for text and maybe fairly good realtime audio conversion even if it needs to feedback that to the home servers ? Certainly with a 4g tethering that should be a possibility ? TBH real time language conversion would sell it to me.

[Deckard]

Full specs from Giz

Google released the official specs for Google Glass last night (after releasing the API too) and the futuristic frames come with 16GB (only 12GB will be usable) Flash memory, a 5 megapixel camera for stills, 720p video recording, Wi-Fi b/g, Bluetooth, and a battery that can handle “one full day of typical use”.
Here are the nuts and bolts of Google Glass:
Fit
Adjustable nosepads and durable frame fits any face.
Extra nosepads in two sizes.
Display
High resolution display is the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from 2.5m away.
Camera
Photos – 5 MP
Videos – 720p
Audio
Bone Conduction Transducer
Connectivity
Wi-Fi – 802.11b/g
Bluetooth
Storage
12 GB of usable memory, synced with Google cloud storage. 16 GB Flash total.
Battery
One full day of typical use. Some features, like Hangouts and video recording, are more battery intensive.
Charger
Included microUSB cable and charger.
While there are thousands of microUSB chargers out there, Glass is designed and tested with the included charger in mind. Use it and preserve long and prosperous Glass use.
Compatibility
Any Bluetooth-capable phone.
The MyGlass companion app requires Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher. MyGlass enables GPS and SMS messaging.

[Deckard]

and some screens of the interface actually on - the translation one looks interesting

http://mashable.com/2013/04/16/google-g ... source=rss

[Misfit]

I like the idea of a heads up display for Sat Nav.

I like the idea of having a good way to watch movies whilst travelling.

Other uses may be interesting, but it starts to get into that greyer area of privacy invasion and a need to wear them all the time.

[pogo]

From the link above.

"The FAQ also cautions against using glass while driving a car or riding a bike, although it doesn't explicitly forbid it."

So that's no to using them as a sat-nav. They suggest it's to do with law enforcement but it could also be to protect Google from prosecution from the inevitable lawsuits.