Google Glass is a type of wearable technology with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD).

It
was developed by Google[8] with the mission of producing a mass-market ubiquitous
computer.[1] Google Glass displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format.[9] Wearers
communicate with the Internet via natural language voice commands.[10][11] Google started selling
Google Glass in the US on April 15, 2014 for a limited period for $1500,[12] before it became
available to the public on May 15, 2014 for the same price. Before that users were required to
receive invitations before they could try Google Glass.
Google provides four prescription frame choices for $225.00 U.S and free with the purchase of any
new Glass unit. It is necessary to remove a small screw in order to move the Google Glass from one
frame to another. Google entered in a partnership with the Italian eyewear company Luxottica,
owners of the Ray-Ban, Oakley, and other brands, to offer additional frame designs.[13]
Contents

1 Development
o 1.1 Release date
2 Features
3 Software
o 3.1 Applications
o 3.2 MyGlass
o 3.3 Voice activation
4 Awards and praise
5 Criticism and privacy concerns
6 Safety considerations
7 Healthcare applications
8 Journalism and mass media applications
9 Technical specifications
10 Terms of service
11 See also
12 References
13 External links

Google Glass (2013) and Steve Mann's Digital Eye Glass[14] (1980) on exhibit at the "History of AR Vision" exhibit at the 2013
Augmented World Expo. Both are shown recording video with each device lit up accordingly.

Google Glass was developed by Google X,[15] the facility within Google devoted to technological
advancements such as driverless cars.
Google Glass is smaller and slimmer than previous head-mounted display designs.[16]
The Google Glass prototype resembled standard eyeglasses with the lens replaced by a head-up
display.[17]In mid-2011, Google engineered a prototype that weighed 8 pounds (3,600 g); it is now
lighter than the average pair of sunglasses.[1]

In April 2013, the Explorer Edition was made available to Google I/O developers in the United States
for $1,500.[18]

A Glass prototype seen at Google I/O in June 2012

The product began testing in April 2012.[19] Sergey Brin wore a prototype of the Glass to an April 5,
2012,Foundation Fighting Blindness event in San Francisco.[20][21] In May 2012, Google
demonstrated for the first time how Google Glass could be used to shoot video.[22]
In June 2014, Nepal Government adopted Google Glass for tackling poachers of wild animals and
herbs of Chitwan International Park and other parks listed under World heritage sites. Gurkha
Military currently uses Google Glass to track the animals and birds in the jungle. This operation led
to the latest development in military operation. Google Glass was used in military for the first time in
the world by Nepal.[23]

Release date
American citizens over the age of 18 are able to join the open beta for Glass. A wider release is
estimated later this year[when?].

Features

Loc Le Meur controls Google Glass using the touchpad built into the side of the device

Touchpad: A touchpad is located on the side of Google Glass, allowing users to control the
device by swiping through a timeline-like interface displayed on the screen.[24] Sliding backward
shows current events, such as weather, and sliding forward shows past events, such as phone
calls, photos, circle updates, etc.
Camera: Google Glass has the ability to take photos and record 720p HD video.
Display: The Explorer version of Google Glass uses a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS), fieldsequential color, LED illuminated display.[25] The display's LED illumination is first P-polarized
and then shines through the in-coupling polarizing beam splitter (PBS) to the LCoS panel. The
panel reflects the light and alters it to S-polarization at active pixel sites. The in-coupling PBS
then reflects the S-polarized areas of light at 45 through the out-coupling beam splitter to
a collimating reflector at the other end. Finally, the out-coupling beam splitter (which is a partially

reflecting mirror, not a polarizing beam splitter) reflects the collimated light another 45 and into
the wearer's eye.[26][27]

Software

A Google Glass with black frame for prescription lens.

Applications
Google Glass applications are free applications built by third-party developers. Glass also uses
many existing Google applications, such as Google Now,Google Maps, Google+, and Gmail.
Third-party applications announced at South by Southwest (SXSW) include Evernote, Skitch, The
New York Times, and Path.[28]
On April 25, 2013, Google released the Mirror API, allowing developers to start making apps for
Glass.[29][30] In the terms of service, it is stated that developers may not put ads in their apps or
charge fees;[31] a Google representative told The Verge that this might change in the future.[32]
Many developers and companies have built applications for Glass, including news apps, facial
recognition, exercise, photo manipulation, translation, and sharing to social networks, such
as Facebook and Twitter.[33][34][35]
On May 16, 2013, Google announced the release of seven new apps, including reminders from
Evernote, fashion news from Elle, and news alerts from CNN.[36]Following Google's XE7 Glass
Explorer Edition update in early July 2013, evidence of a "Glass Boutique", a store that will allow
synchronization to Glass of Glassware and APKs, was noted.[37]
Version XE8 made a debut for Google Glass on August 12, 2013. It brings an integrated video
player with playback controls, the ability to post an update to Path, and lets users save notes to
Evernote. Several other minute improvements include volume controls, improved voice recognition,
and several new Google Now cards.
On November 19, 2013, Google unveiled its Glass Development Kit, showcasing a translation
app Word Lens, a cooking app AllTheCooks, and an exercise appStrava among others as
successful examples.[38][39]
On May 15, 2014, Google announced 3 news apps TripIt, FourSquare and OpenTable in order to
entice travelers.
On June 25, 2014, Google announced that notifications from Android Wear will be sent to Glass.[40]

MyGlass
Google offers a companion Android and iOS app called MyGlass, which allows the user to configure
and manage the device .[41]

Voice activation
Other than the touchpad, Google Glass can be controlled using "voice actions". To activate Glass,
wearers tilt their heads 30 upward (which can be altered for preference) or tap the touchpad, and
say "O.K., Glass." Once Glass is activated, wearers can say an action, such as "Take a picture",

"Record a video", "Hangout with [person/Google+ circle]", "Google 'What year was Wikipedia
founded?'", "Give me directions to the Eiffel Tower", and "Send a message to John"[42] (many of
these commands can be seen in a product video released in February 2013).[43] For search results
that are read back to the user, the voice response is relayed using bone conduction through a
transducer that sits beside the ear, thereby rendering the sound almost inaudible to other people.[44]

Awards and praise

In November 2012, Glass received recognition by Time Magazine as one of the "Best Inventions of
the Year 2012", alongside inventions such as the Curiosity Rover.[45]
After a visit to the University of Cambridge by Google's chairman Eric Schmidt in February
2013, Wolfson College professor[46] John Naughton praised the Glass and compared it with the
achievements of hardware and networking pioneer Douglas Engelbart. Naughton wrote that
Engelbart believed that machines "should do what machines do best, thereby freeing up humans to
do whatthey do best".[47]
In December 2013, David Datuna became the first artist to incorporate Google Glass into a
contemporary work of art.[48][49] The artwork debuted at a private event at The New World Symphony
in Miami Beach, Florida, US and was moved to the Miami Design District for the public
debut.[50] Over 1500 people used Google Glass to experience Datuna's American flag from his
"Viewpoint of Billions" series.[51] Instances like this demonstrate that Glass can alter perspective, with
the possibility of opening up new dimensions in the visual arts.[52]

Steve Mann, inventor of EyeTap, wearing several developments of his device which has been compared with Google
Glass[53]

The eyewear's functionality and minimalist appearance have been compared to Steve
Mann's EyeTap,[53] also known as "Glass" or "Digital Eye Glass".[54]According to Mann, both devices
affect both privacy and secrecy by introducing a two-sided surveillance and sousveillance.[55]

Criticism and privacy concerns

Concerns have been raised by various sources regarding the intrusion of privacy, and
the etiquette and ethics of using the device in public and recording people without their
permission.[56][57][58] Google co-founder, Sergey Brin, claims that Glass could be seen as a way to
become even more isolated in public, but the intent was quite the opposite: Brin views checking
social media as a constant "nervous tic," which is why Glass can notify the user of important
notifications and updates and does not obstruct the line of sight.[59]
Additionally, there is controversy that Google Glass would violate security problems and privacy
rights such as the Secrecy paradigm (see privacy).[60][61][62] Organizations like the FTC Fair
Information Practice work to uphold privacy rights through Fair Information Practice Principles
(FIPPS), which are guidelines representing concepts that concern fair information practice in an
electronic marketplace.[63]
Privacy advocates are concerned that people wearing such eyewear may be able to identify
strangers in public using facial recognition, or surreptitiously record and broadcast private
conversations.[1]The "Find my Face" feature on Google+ functions to create a model of your face,
and of people you know, in order to simplify tagging photos.[64] However, the only current app that

can identify strangers is called MORIS (Mobile Offender Recognition and Identification System), and
is a $3,000 iPhone app used by police officers.[65]
Some companies in the U.S. have posted anti-Google Glass signs in their establishments.[66][67][68] In
July 2013, prior to the official release of the product, Stephen Balaban, co-founder of software
company Lambda Labs, circumvented Googles facial recognition app block by building his own,
non-Google-approved operating system. Balaban then installed face-scanning Glassware that
creates a summary of commonalities shared by the scanned person and the Glass wearer, such as
mutual friends and interests.[69] Additionally, Michael DiGiovanni created Winky, a program that
allows a Google Glass user to take a photo with a wink of an eye, while Marc Rogers, a principal
security researcher at Lookout, discovered that Glass can be hijacked if a user could be tricked into
taking a picture of a malicious QR code, demonstrating the potential to be used as a weapon
in cyberwarfare.[70]
Other concerns have been raised regarding legality of the Glass in a number of countries,
particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet countries. In February 2013, a Google+ user
noticed legal issues with Glass and posted in the Glass Explorers community about the issues,
stating that the device may be illegal to use according to the current legislation in Russia and
Ukraine, which prohibits use of spy gadgets that can record video, audio or take photographs in an
inconspicuous manner.[71]
Concerns were also raised in regard to the privacy and security of Glass users in the event that the
device is stolen or lost, an issue that was raised by a US congressional committee. As part of its
response to the committee, Google stated that a locking system for the device is in development.
Google also reminded users that Glass can be remotely reset.[37] Police in various States have also
warned the Glass wearers to watch out for muggers and street robbers.[72]
Lisa A. Goldstein, a freelance journalist who was born profoundly deaf, tested the product on behalf
of people with disabilities and published a review on August 6, 2013. In her review, Goldstein states
that Google Glass does not accommodate hearing aids and is not suitable for people who cannot
understand speech. Goldstein also explained the limited options for customer support, as telephone
contact was her only means of communication.[73]
Several facilities have banned the use of Google Glass before its release to the general public, citing
concerns over potential privacy-violating capabilities. Other facilities, such as Las Vegas casinos,
banned Google Glass, citing their desire to comply with Nevada state law and common gaming
regulations which ban the use of recording devices near gambling areas.[74]
There have also been concerns over potential eye pain caused by users new to Glass.[75] These
concerns were validated by Google's optometry advisor Dr. Eli Peli of Harvard, though he later partly
backtracked due to the controversy which ensued from his remarks.[75][76][77]
Concerns have been raised by cyber forensics experts at the University of Massachusetts who have
developed a way to steal smartphone and tablet passwords using Google Glass. The specialists
developed a software program that uses google glass to track finger shadows as someone types in
their password. Their program then converts the touchpoints into the keys they were touching,
allowing them to catch the passcodes.[78]

Safety considerations
Concerns have also been raised on operating motor vehicles while wearing the device. On 31 July
2013 it was reported that driving while wearing Google Glass is likely to be banned in the UK, being
deemed careless driving, therefore a fixed penalty offense, following a decision by the Department
for Transport.[79]
In the US, West Virginia state representative Gary G. Howell introduced an amendment in March
2013 to the state's law against texting while driving that would include bans against "using a

wearable computer with head mounted display." In an interview, Howell stated, "The primary thing is
a safety concern, it [the glass headset] could project text or video into your field of vision. I think
there's a lot of potential for distraction."[80]
In October 2013, a driver in California was ticketed for "driving with monitor visible to driver (Google
Glass)" after being pulled over for speeding by a San Diego Police Department officer. The driver
was reportedly the first to be fined for driving while wearing a Google Glass.[81] While the judge noted
that "Google Glass fell under 'the purview and intent' of the ban on driving with a monitor", the case
was thrown out of court due to lack of proof the device was on at the time.[82]

Healthcare applications
Several proofs of concept for Google Glass have been proposed in healthcare.
drchrono, a Mountain View, Calif., based electronic medical record company has developed a new
application for the device it claims is the first "wearable health record." Doctors who register for the
drchrono app for Glass can use it to record a consultation or surgery with the patient's permission.
Videos, photos and notes are stored in the patient's electronic medical record or in Box, a cloudbased storage and collaboration service and can be shared with the patient on request. [83]
Dr. Phil Haslam and Dr. Sebastian Mafeld demonstrated the first concepts for Google Glass in the
field of interventional radiology. They demonstrated the manner in which the concept of Google
Glass could assist a liver biopsy and fistulaplasty, and the pair stated that Google Glass has the
potential to improve patient safety, operator comfort, and procedure efficiency in the field of
interventional radiology.[84]
On June 20, 2013, Rafael J. Grossmann, a Venezuelan surgeon practicing in the USA, was the first
surgeon to ever demonstrate the use of Google Glass during a live surgical procedure.[85] In August
2013, Google Glass was also used at Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State University. Surgeon Dr.
Christopher Kaeding used Google Glass to consult with a colleague in a distant part ofColumbus,
Ohio. A group of students at The Ohio State University College of Medicine also observed the
operation on their laptop computers. Following the procedure, Kaeding stated, "To be honest, once
we got into the surgery, I often forgot the device was there. It just seemed very intuitive and fit
seamlessly."[86]
On June 21, 2013, the Spanish doctor Pedro Guillen, Chief of Trauma Service of Clnica CEMTRO
of Madrid, also broadcast a surgery through the use of Google Glass.[87]

Baby Eve with Georgia for the Breastfeeding Support Project

In July 2013, Lucien Engelen commenced research on the usability and impact of Google Glass in
the health care field. As of August 2013, Engelen, who is based at Singularity University and in
Europe at Radboud University Medical Center,[88] is the first healthcare professional in Europe to
participate in the Glass Explorer program.[89] His research on Google Glass (starting August 9, 2013)
was conducted in operating rooms, ambulances, a trauma helicopter, general practice, and home
care as well as the use in public transportation for visually or physically impaired. Research
contained making pictures, videos streaming to other locations dictating operative log, having

students watch the procedures and tele-consultation through Hangout. Engelen documented his
findings in blogs,[90] videos,[91] pictures, on Twitter,[92] and on Google+.[93] and is still ongoing.
In December 2013, Dr Brion Benninger (Sports Medicine, Clinical Anatomist, Reverse Translational
researcher and Innovative Medical Educator) was the first to successfully combine Glass with
the SonicEye finger ultrasound transducer using a Fukuda-Denshi ultrasound system to successfully
identify foreign bodies (shrapnel) that can be lodged in upper and lower limbs during military combat
and civilian firearm violence. [94]
In Australia, during January 2014, Melbourne tech startup Small World Social collaborated with
the Australian Breastfeeding Association to create the first hands-free breastfeeding Google Glass
application for new mothers.[95] The application, named Google Glass Breastfeeding app trial, allows
mothers to nurse their baby while viewing instructions about common breastfeeding issues (latching
on, posture etc.) or call a lactation consultant via a secure Google Hangout, who can view the issue
through the mother's Google Glass camera.[96] The trial was successfully concluded inMelbourne in
April 2014, and 100% of participants were breastfeeding confidently.[97]
In February 2014, Dr Brion Benninger (Sports Medicine, Clinical Anatomist, Reverse Translational
researcher and Innovative Medical Educator), Professor from Western University of Health
Sciences,Lebanon, Oregon, was the first to combine Google Glass with the SonicEye finger
ultrasound transducer using a Fukuda-Denshi ultrasound system to view ultrasound images during
physical examinations of the limbs, neck, thorax and abdomen. Benninger teaches a physicians
hand is a palpation stethoscope, the ultrasound finger probe is a visual stethoscope and integrating
them with Glass would provide a physician triple feedback during physical examinations (palpation,
surface, and internal visualization).[94]
In March 2014, Dr Brion Benninger combined Glass with the SonicEye finger ultrasound linear and
biplanar array transducers using a Fukuda-Denshi ultrasound system to prove that images can be
successfully obtained from donor cadavers and live subjects.[98]
In March 2014, Dr Brion Benninger (Sports Medicine, Clinical Anatomist, Reverse Translational
researcher and Innovative Medical Educator) was the first to combine Glass with the SonicEye finger
ultrasound biplanar array transducer using a Fukuda-Denshi ultrasound system to successfully
identify foreign bodies (shrapnel) that would be lodged in upper and lower limbs during military
combat and civilian firearm violence. [98]
The first virtually augmented surgery in the Middle East was conducted in April 2014 at the American
University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) as part of the Global Smile Foundation (GSF) MENA
mission in Lebanon in collaboration with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at
AUBMC. The virtually augmented surgery was carried out as part of a pilot program utilizing
software by Vipaar, a remote video software company, which uses Google glasses to allow
surgeons to communicate from thousands of miles away. The software was used during the surgical
procedure on a two-and-a-half year old girl with a cleft lip. The Vipaar technology allowed Dr. Usama
Hamdan, president of GSF MENA and Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, head of the Division of Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery at AUBMC, to communicate with a Reconstructive Surgeon at New York
University, Dr. Raj Vyas. Cleft Lip surgery on a young patient requires a tremendous amount of
precision and that is why the surgery was selected to test the software. During the surgery, Vyas
was able to see the surgery in the eyes of Hamdan and Abu-Sittah on his iPad in NYC. In turn, Vyas,
who has previous experience with the Vipaar technology, virtually demonstrated where the incisions
should be made. The surgical team in Beirut was able to see the surgical markings through the
glasses as if they were on the patients face.[99]
In July 2014, the startup company Surgery Academy, in Milan, Italy, launched a remote training
platform dedicated to medical students. The platform is a MOOC that allows students to join
anyoperating theater thanks to Google Glass worn by surgeon.[100][101]

In August 2014, Dr Brion Benninger (Sports Medicine, Clinical Anatomist, Reverse Translational
researcher and Innovative Medical Educator) was the first to successfully combine Glass with
theSonicEye finger ultrasound linear transducer using a Fukuda-Denshi ultrasound system to
identify fractures of the mandible on donor cadaver patients. [98]

Journalism and mass media applications

Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying wears Glass as part of the "Voice of America & Google Glass" series.

In 2014, Voice of America Television Correspondent Carolyn Presutti and VOA Electronics Engineer
Jose Vega began a web project called "VOA & Google Glass," which explores the technology's
potential uses in journalism.[102] This series of news stories examines the technology's live reporting
applications, including conducting interviews and covering stories from the reporter's point of view.
On March 29, 2014, American a cappella group Pentatonix partnered with Voice of America when
lead singer Scott Hoying wore Glass in the band's performance at DAR Constitution
Hall in Washington, D.C., during the band's worldwide tour - the first use of Glass by a lead singer in
a professional concert.[103]