Creepy Google Glass
Creepy
Google Glass pics without anyone knowing? Yes, you can.
The
inventor of the Google Glass Sunshade says his motivation was to make it easier
to see the Glass graphics when in sunshine. Coincidentally, it also covers up
the light that tells others the glasses are in use.
I have come to terms with
the notion that we will all soon be wearing glasses in order to surf the Web,
check messages, and pretend we work at Google.
Some, though, are still
concerned that the glasses offer too much opportunity to photograph or film
people surreptitiously.
Defenders of the Google
faith point out that no, no, you can tell when the glasses are in use. There's
a light that beams to the world.
A twisted few find this
unfortunate. They want to be cleverer than thou and creepier than thou.
May I present, therefore, the very
fine Google Glass 3D Printed Sunshade?
This is the invention of Chris
Barrett, a PR man who has made some hay by being a Google Glass explorer and, well, exploring the
boundaries of life and taste.
It was he who was first to film an arrest using his new glasses.
It was also Barrett who wandered into an Atlantic City casino beglassed. And, in what
seemed then as the apogee of Glassing fame, Bon Jovi's keyboard player even wore Barrett's goggles during a show.
Barrett, though, was having personal
issues with his eyepiece. He told me that he was having trouble seeing the
graphics when it was sunny.
So he got together with Next Fab Studio. Together, they created the 3D Printed
Sunshade.
You see, he'd tried wearing a hat, but
that didn't really work. With the Sunshade, he's happy, as will be those who
can download the open-source code.
Also in their happy place
will be those who are slightly less honourable than Barrett.
One aspect of the Sunshade
is that it obscures the light that tells you Google Glass is in use. You are
now free as a bird to shoot whatever you like, whenever you like, and from
whatever angle you can get your head around.
Accused of encouraging
sneakiness, Barrett repeated that his only motivation had been poor visibility
during sunny days. He told me: "I did not create the Sunshade to be
sneaky. The 3D printed Sunshade does make Glass less noticeable. Less people
ask me what I'm wearing when they can't see the prism light up."
Every new technology
creates aspects that the good-hearted wish didn't exist. Sometimes, though, I
wonder whether the good-hearted are so enamoured of the technology that they
choose to enjoy a little denial.
Barrett insisted:
"With any new technology like Glass or a wearable watch with a camera,
it's up to the user to decide how and when he or she will use the camera to
record video or take photographs."
Of course he's right.
Google Glass is not a cheeseparing invention. But Barrett's Sunshade has now
given a eyeful of glee to those whose core interests might upset many.
Will someone now invent
the equivalent of a missile shield defences that prevents you from being
photographed when, say, you're out on the street?
Where's that invisibility cloak when we need it?
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