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Google publishes social etiquette guide for Glass Explorers

Google publishes social etiquette guide for Glass Explorers

By Rohan Swamy | Updated: 19 February 2014 16:15 IST

Google, is going out all guns to educate users about their upcoming wearable tech device, the Google Glass. The company recently released a list of dos and don'ts for users of the augmented reality eyewear, along with the social etiquettes to be followed while wearing the device in public.

The post, titled 'Explorers', begins with description of the type of people who have been involved with the project and then goes on to describe the type of questions that it is seeking to find answers to.

Detailing the need for the guide, the post says: "The first Explorers were developers from Google I/O 2012 and people who told us what they would do #ifihadglass. Since then, we've continued to expand the Explorer Program. We're at the start of a long journey and we're looking to our Explorers to help us develop this new technology. Since the program started, our Explorers have gotten a lot of attention when they wear Glass out and about. Reactions range from the curious - Wow! Are those the 'Google glasses'? How do they work? - to the suspect - Goodness gracious do those things see into my soul?!"

While clearly Google Glass will not help look into a person's soul, the list of 'Dos' as published by Google, tell Glass users to explore the world around them, take advantage of voice commands, ask for permission before photographing or recording people, use the glass screen lock, and to be an active member on the Glass Explorer Community.

The list of 'Don'ts', understandably, lists a series of points to avoid invading into personal spaces of people as well as appearing amoral in a public place. It includes not staring into the screen and reading too intently (Glass-out) to avoid freaking out people around, not wearing the glasses while trying extreme outdoor activities, answer questions about it as politely as one can, and avoid being creepy, and breaking rules regarding the usage of the device, in other words, avoid being a "Glasshole" (Google's own words).

Clearly this looks like an admirable effort by Google to educate the Glass Explorers, after the US stated that it is eyeing laws to ban wearing it while driving, amongst other activities. Even the tips themselves are common knowledge about public behaviour, but aim to inform users that they are ambassadors for the device and Google, in public.

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