Google Responds to Glass Criticisms, Debunks Top 10 Myths

Google Glass could be a world-changing device. Or it could be a device that wants to be world-changing but is ultimately pointless – like the Segway. Google obviously wants Glass to succeed. In order to do that, it has to debunk a number of the criticisms that have come out in the past few years about Google Glass – including the idea that it looks stupid or that people wearing them are going to get hit by a lot of cars when they cross the street. Google responded to these complaints and more in a recent Google+ post. That post can be found here. Below, you’ll find the top 10 Google Glass Myths and why Google is debunking them: 10) “Glass marks the end of privacy” Google: People said the same thing about cameras in the 1800s and cameras were banned in parks, on beaches, and at national monuments. People also said the same thing with cell phone cameras, YouTube, etc. 9) “Glass is banned…EVERYWHERE” People will always follow social etiquette whether it’s with cell phone cameras or Glass. “Since Glass functionality mirrors the cell phone”, the same rules will apply. Interestingly enough, Google debunks this myth by stating that Glass can be attached to prescription lenses. What are you going to do, tell people to stumble around blindly and turn off their contact lenses? 8) “Glass is only for those privileged enough to afford it” The current Google Glass prototype costs $1500, which is more than most people are willing to pay for any smartphone peripheral. Google responds to this myth by stating that some people were given Glass as gifts, while others had their work pay for it. In other words, Glass is used by more than just “wealthy and entitled” people. 7) “Glass is the perfect surveillance device” Google Glass doesn’t secretly record people. It lights up every time you issue a command. Google responds by stating that there are plenty of better secret surveillance devices than Glass. 6) “Glass covers your eye(s)” Google responds by stating that a lot of these criticisms come from people who have never used Glass. Glass is specially designed to not cover the eye and is placed above the right eye. You can still see out of each of your eyes. 5) “Glass does facial recognition (and other dodgy things)” Google responds by saying “Nope. That’s not true.” Google says that it has made the conscious decision to not allow face recognition software on Glass at this time. Furthermore, third-party app creators can’t make facial recognition software for Glass because Google manually approves every app on the app store.

4) “Glass is ready for prime time” Glass is currently in development and the only version of Glass currently available is a prototype. Over the past 11 months, Google has updated the software 9 times and changed the hardware 3 times. Google also says that a few years from now, the Glass prototype might look as bizarre as the first cell phone prototypes from the 1980s. 3) “Glass Explorers are technology-worshipping geeks” Glass Explorers include “parents, firefighters, zookeepers, brewmasters, film students, reporters, and doctors.” That doesn’t mean they aren’t tech geeks, but it does mean that they come from all walks of life. 2) “Glass is always on and recording everything” Google claims that Glass is like a cell phone: the screen stays off by default until activated. Video recording is set to last 10 seconds by default, and if someone were to walk with Google Glass set to constantly record, the battery would only last for 45 minutes. 1) “Glass is the ultimate distraction from the real world” “Instead of looking down at your computer, phone or tablet”, Google Glass lets you look around and “engage with the world.” Google also claims that Glass is off by default, which means that – like your phone – it’s only really a distraction if you want it to be.

What do you think?

Do you believe Google’s debunking of these myths? Obviously, the Google Glass team wants Glass to succeed, so everything is stated with a lot of bias. Overall, I think Google did a good job of responding to a lot of the classic complaints people have about Glass. They did so without making it sound like too much of a sales pitch. There are still some questions about Glass that, from my perspective, remain unanswered, like: -Who is really going to use Google Glass? -Will Google Glass ever look cool to wear? -When will Google Glass finally be ready for release?