Robocop a step closer- Google Glass App for police

Google Glass has lots of potential applications beyond just making it easier for people to check out their Twitter feed without taking their phones out of their pockets. Mutualink is demoing one such app today at APCO, a conference for public safety communications, with its Glass App for police, firefighters and first responders.

The app would allow public safety officers and officials to communicate in real-time via streaming video from the scene, as well as to receive and view key documents, including things like building schematics, medical records of victims, live feeds of security cameras in the area and more. It’s the ultimate on-demand intel platform for agents working in the field, and a way to stay in contact with HQ and other organizations even when radio systems won’t talk to each other.

Of course, there could be privacy concerns with such an app. Recently, news came out that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other officials in the U.S. oppose the idea of police body cameras, suggesting they’d be open to all kinds of dangerous interpretation. Mutualink says its solution emphasizes agency control of media and recording on glass, so privacy would be in the hands of the cops and other officials using them and should be protected.

A tactical heads-up display being used by safety officers is a natural fit for Glass, and as the enforcement agents would be using the head-mounted computer as part of their uniform, they wouldn’t have to worry about looking like idiots, so this could be a place where Google actually finds some long-term adoption. Mutualink is also already a service provider used by NATO Special Operations Forces, homeland security, police and fire departments, so it has the relationships in place to make this happen. Read more >>

Google Glass Ban List Grows

Don’t be surprised if the number of locations continue to increase, but for now, here are the top 10 places that have banned Google Glass.

10. Banks/ATMs

In this crazy age of identity theft it’s not exactly far-fetched for banks to be wary of Google Glass. It seems completely plausible for a wearer to sneak in behind a customer and snap a quick picture of their personal information, such as their ID or bank account info.

9. Sports Arenas/Concert Venues

If you frequent a sporting event or concert you’re already aware that most of the time you’ll get denied recording the event. Of course, this was easier before everyone had a smartphone, but security has adjusted and are quick to scold you if you’re caught recording. Because these locations already ban cameras, it’s not a stretch to believe that Google Glass is banned as well.

8. Locker Rooms/Dressing Rooms

It’s one thing for someone to take a picture of us without knowing in a public location. It’s a completely different beast if someone snapped a pic of you in your birthday suit. To help protect people at their most vulnerable, locations where people are naked definitely have to ban Google Glass for precautionary measures.

And let’s not forget the etiquette of wearing Google Glass in the men’s room.

7. Movie Theaters

Film privacy is already a major concern for the film industry. Like concerts and sporting events, it was easier to spot pirates before smartphones, but theaters still crackdown on anyone caught recording a movie. Still, having a camera at eye-level is something completely different. Do you really think that a movie theater would allow a person wearing glasses equipped with a video recorder inside?

6. Cars

Legislators in states like West Virginia and Arizona are concerned about their citizens safety while driving, which is why these states are attempting to ban people from “using a wearable computer with head mounted display.” This measure will most likely be followed by the 39 other states and Washington D.C. who have already prohibited texting while driving. Glassing & Driving is already set to be banned in the UK. Read more >>

Everything Is Recorded - Privacy Challenges of Wearable Computing

Perhaps the best way to predict how society will react to so-called wearable computing devices is to read the Dr. Seuss children’s story “The Butter Battle Book.”

The book, which was published in 1984, is about two cultures at odds. On one side are the Zooks, who eat their bread with the buttered side down. In opposition are the Yooks, who eat their bread with the buttered side up. As the story progresses, their different views lead to an arms race and potentially an all-out war.

Well, the Zooks and the Yooks may have nothing on wearable computing fans, who are starting to sport devices that can record everything going on around them with a wink or subtle click, and the people who promise to confront violently anyone wearing one of these devices.

I’ve experienced both sides of this debate with Google’s Internet-connected glasses, Google Glass. Last year, after Google unveiled its wearable computer, I had a brief opportunity to test it and was awe-struck by the potential of this technology.

A few months later, at a work-related party, I saw several people wearing Glass, their cameras hovering above their eyes as we talked. I was startled by how much Glass invades people’s privacy, leaving them two choices: stare at a camera that is constantly staring back at them, or leave the room. Read more >>