Saving Face: Google Offers a Dos and Don’ts List for Glass Wearers

Alyssa Bereznak
·National Correspondent, Technology
Updated
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Google has some advice for the early adopters of Google Glass, otherwise known as Explorers, who are running around with face computers on: Don’t be so creepy.

The company published a brief guide to Google Glass etiquette on Tuesday, doling out a few choice pieces of advice for those who own a pair of the high-tech face-gear. Likely aimed at improving the image of the product, the advice is tailored to the small but growing group of folks who applied to use Google Glass first via the company’s Explorer Program.

Per the post:

“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?!’ Luckily as the Explorer Community grows, so does their collective wisdom. We asked some long-time Explorers for their advice …”

The Dos category can be summarized thusly:

But, obviously, the Don’ts are so much better:

  • Don’t “Glass Out.” Look at Google, coining its own negative Glass term! The company is referring to people who sit there like sacks of skin, staring for hours at the little screen above their eyeballs. Google has specifically advised against reading War and Peace on the device. I assume that means Fifty Shades of Grey is out of the question, too.

  • Don’t wear Glass while doing athletic stuff. Bowling is OK, though.

  • Don’t think you’ll be ignored if you wear Glass in public. As in, don’t think you can wear these things and get away with seeming normal. I should also add that you should not arrive at a bar and force a speech about your face computer onto the first sad soul to make eye contact with you.

  • Don’t be a Glasshole. Yes, Google has publicly acknowledged the existence of this word and the behavior behind it. And I quoth: “Being rude will not get businesses excited about Glass and will ruin it for other Explorers.” I’m not going to name names, but it sounds like they’re calling out this dude.

So, in other words, just don’t make Google look like bad guys. Read the entire Google Glass etiquette guide right here. Glass wearers: Better to do it on your smartphone or laptop, lest you Glass Out.

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