14 DAY TRIAL // Google Glass is not even available for everyone to buy just yet and the world is abuzz with concerns about privacy and other social etiquette issues that users seem to forget sometimes.
So, Google took it upon itself to draw the line for users everywhere, putting together a list of do’s and don’ts.
Google advises users to explore the world around them. “Glass puts you more in control of your technology and frees you to look up and engage with the world around you rather than look down and be distracted from it,” the company writes. With that in mind, you can have a hangout with friends, get walking directions or updates on a flight.
Taking advantage of the Glass voice commands is also on the white list, as the company hopes that people will free their hands for other important tasks, such as cooking.
Google also advises Glass users to ask for permission before recording people with the device. “Standing alone in the corner of a room staring at people while recording them through Glass is not going to win you any friends,” the company writes.
Although the Glass camera function is not much different from a cell phone’s, the same rules of etiquette should apply.
The last two items on the “Do’s” list cover security (Glass users should use screen lock) and feedback sharing with the Explorer community.
The “Don’ts” list includes a lot of things that people have complained about. One piece of advice is to stop using Glass once in a while. “Glass was built for short bursts of information and interactions that allow you to quickly get back to doing the other things you love,” Google writes. With that in mind, some things are better done on bigger screens, such as reading.
Also, please don’t use Glass while doing high-impact sport. “Glass is a piece of technology, so use common sense.” That basically means that extreme sports are out of the question.
Glass wearers should also expect a lot of attention. It’s a new piece of technology, so people will naturally be curious about things. This means that Glass Explorers should show some patience and explain its major features to those interested.
The last item on the advice list given by Google is not to be a “Glasshole,” which covers all those people who are creepy or rude when wearing the device.
“Respect others and if they have questions about Glass don’t get snappy. Be polite and explain what Glass does and remember, a quick demo can go a long way. In places where cell phone cameras aren’t allowed, the same rules will apply to Glass. If you’re asked to turn your phone off, turn Glass off as well. Breaking the rules or being rude will not get businesses excited about Glass and will ruin it for other Explorers,” Google concludes.