While Glass has been available for quite some time in the US, it’s only been available in the UK for about a week or so. The UK authorities have been pretty harsh on Glass already, with the Department of Transport taking steps to declare using Glass illegal while driving. Whether or not Glass is dangerous behind the wheel is a debate that we’re sure will only get louder as Glass is now available for all to purchase both in the US and now the UK. Those that were hoping for the UK to soften their opinion on Glass now that it’s available will be a little disappointed to find out that UK cinemas have banned Google’s wearable from theaters.
Both Vue, a large chain of cinemas up and down the UK and the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association have banned Google Glass in theaters, following piracy concerns, citing that Glass’ ability to record video poses a piracy concern. While that doesn’t sound like much of an excused, considering the fact that Glass can only record somewhere in the region of 35 minutes of footage and the light the headset emits while regarding, we can see why cinemas have adopted such a stance. Not only are theaters like Vue’s have to put up with demands from film distributors, but they also have to keep all of their customers happy. Personally, I see no harm in Glass, but I don’t think they should be warn during a film. Not because they could be selecting filming the latest blockbuster 30-minutes at a time, but for the same reason people talking on their phone can ruin a good film.
Google perhaps put it best themselves when they issued the following statement: “We recommend any cinemas concerned about Glass to treat the device as they treat similar devices like mobile phones: simply ask wearers to turn it off before the film starts. Broadly speaking, we also think it’s best to have direct and first hand experience with Glass before creating policies around it. The fact that Glass is worn above the eyes and the screen lights up whenever it’s activated makes it a fairly lousy device for recording things secretly”.
Hopefully, theaters don’t take the “ban” quite so literally, and simply ask Glass users to take them off before entering the screen room. I see nothing wrong with that, what about you? Do you think taking steps to limit Glass’ uses in cinemas is harsh towards Glass users or just another step to make sure movie goers get the best experience they can?