Google Debunks Glass Myths: If You Were Hoping Wearable Tech Doubles As A Spy Gadget, You're In For Disappointment

Google is adamant you know the truth about their Google Glass. First, Google described the proper etiquette for their wearable tech in public, but now they want to squash all the misconceptions about their product in a new blog post.

The tech giant touched on 10 myths relating to their product, but below are the 5 best snippets from the Google blog post. You can read the full feature here.

1. MYTH: Glass records everything you do.

"Just like your cell phone, the Glass screen is off by default. Video recording on Glass is set to last 10 seconds. People can record for longer, but Glass isn't designed for or even capable of always-on recording (the battery won't last longer than 45 minutes before it needs to be charged). So next time you're tempted to ask an Explorer if he's recording you, ask yourself if you'd be doing the same with your phone. Chances are your answers will be the same."

2. MYTH: Glass is a spy gadget.

"If a company sought to design a secret spy device, they could do a better job than Glass! Let's be honest: if someone wants to secretly record you, there are much, much better cameras out there than one you wear conspicuously on your face and that lights up every time you give a voice command, or press a button. "

3. MYTH: Glass will be on store shelves soon.

"Glass is a prototype, and our Explorers and the broader public are playing a critical role in how it's developed. In the last 11 months, we've had nine software updates and three hardware updates based, in part, on feedback from people like you. Ultimately, we hope even more feedback gets baked into a polished consumer product ahead of being released. And, in the future, today's prototype may look as funny to us as that mobile phone from the mid 80s."

4. MYTH (Well, sorta): Glass is for rich people.

"The current prototype costs $1500 and we realize that is out of the range of many people. But that doesn't mean the people who have it are wealthy and entitled. In some cases, their work has paid for it. Others have raised money on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. And for some, it's been a gift."

5. MYTH: There's no point in owning Glass, because it's BANNED.

"Since cell phones came onto the scene, folks have been pretty good at creating etiquette and the requisite (and often necessary) bans around where someone can record (locker rooms, casino floors, etc.). Since Glass functionality mirrors the cell phones ("down to the screen being off by default), the same rules apply. Just bear in mind, would-be banners: Glass can be attached to prescription lenses, so requiring Glass to be turned off is probably a lot safer than insisting people stumble about blindly in a locker room."

Real Time Analytics