Creepy Google Glass pics without anyone knowing? Yes, you can
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.
Chris Matyszczyk by Chris Matyszczyk November 16, 2013 12:13 PM PST
So clever.
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 more creepy 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 honorable 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 enamored 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 defense 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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