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Google has released an etiquette guide for those in their Google Glass Explorer program.
The guide is broken down into two sections, do and don’t, and goes through the proper and improper ways to deal with others when wearing Google Glass.
One of the do’s for Google Glass is to treat its camera like you would a smartphone’s camera — ask for permission first. “Standing alone in the corner of a room staring at people while recording them through Glass is not going to win you any friends,” it says. Google also wants users to use Glass as a means to explore the world around you instead of looking down and being distracted. The use of voice commands is also recommended so users can free up their hands for other activities, while Glass can be used to augment that experience by recording it or looking up info. In terms of security, the guidelines recommend that screen lock is always enabled, like it should be on your phone. That way if your Glass is stolen, it can be wiped remotely so you can keep your information safe.
“Don’t read War and Peace on Glass. Things like that are better done on bigger screens.” For the don’ts list, Google wants users to remember that Glass is meant for “short bursts of information and interactions that allow you to quickly get back to doing the other things you love.” You’re not supposed to be staring at it constantly like a smartphone. Another thing you probably shouldn’t do is use Glass in extreme sports like bull fighting or cage fighting — you can probably guess why.
“Be polite and explain what Glass does and remember, a quick demo can go a long way. Breaking the rules or being rude will not get businesses excited about Glass and will ruin it for other Explorers,” the guide says under the don’t be creepy or rude part, or as Google has now dubbed, a glasshole.
“Also, develop your own etiquette,” the guide also adds. “If you’re worried about someone interrupting that romantic dinner at a nice restaurant with a question about Glass, just take it off and put it around the back of your neck or in your bag.”
Google also recognizes the negative perception of Glass, and they definitely know about the different places that have announced bans on Glass. The company even mentions the now well-known term “Glasshole,” and says that you should respect others if they have questions about glass, no need to be snappy about it. Finally, if there are places that ban cellphones and ask you to turn them off, the same thing should apply to Glass as well.
The guide has several other recommendations, a lot of which are more or less common sense, but since Google Glass Explorers have been in the news lately for getting kicked out of establishments or being ticketed for using the Glasses while driving, you can see why Google felt that it needed to publish this guide.
[via The Telegraph, image via tedeytan’s flickr]
