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Google has announced that they have released Glass in the UK, thereby making it the second country to get the new eyewear after the... Google Glass Now Available in The UK

Google has announced that they have released Glass in the UK, thereby making it the second country to get the new eyewear after the US.  The prototype kit costs £1,000 and is currently being targeted at developers, not at consumers.

There are many concerns with Google Glass, especially regarding privacy.  There have already been reports of people being attacked for wearing Google Glass.  The problems for people in the UK sporting Google’s wearable tech, are still varied.  What about driving, cycling, going out for a coffee or to the cinema?  Will these innocuous daily tasks cause upset if the person concerned is wearing a Glass device?

Glass

Take for instance the issue of driving.  Apparently the Department of Transport were in talks with Google over the device, ahead of the launch.  The DoT had prior to this, raised concerns that device may prove a distraction to drivers.  A government spokesman has revealed that Google was investigating ways that would allow drivers to legally use Glass whilst driving on UK roads.

The spokesman said, “Drivers must give their full attention to the road, which is why it has been illegal since the 1980s to view a screen whilst driving, unless that screen is displaying driving information…There are no plans to change this and we have met with Google to discuss the implications of the current law for Google Glass…Google is anxious its products do not pose a road safety risk and is currently considering options to allow the technology to be used in accordance with the law.”

A video released by the firm to mark the London, UK launch does show the device being used by a cyclist to get directions.  Does that mean that a cyclist is ok to wear Glass but a person driving a car isn’t?

The BBC have researched other firms regarding the use of Glass and how they feel about the implications of a person being able to take photos and video.  For instance, cinema chain, The Vue have said that it would ask guests to remove the eyewear “as soon as the lights dim before a screening.”  Starbucks said it would “politely ask” customers not to film its staff, while rival Costa said those people who used Google Glass “inappropriately” would be asked to leave.  Supermarket giant Tesco have said it had already developed a concept Glass app that could be used in its stores.

What do you think?  As always, if you would like to leave a sensible comment, then please do so in the comments section below.

[Image via technow]

SOURCE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27926352