Google Glass Price, Review, Release, Apps: Device Being Used By Police in Foreign Countries
Basic uses for Google Glass have been touted and explored, but some countries are taking advantage of the technology and finding new possibilities and applications for it.
Dubai and the U.K., for example, are each using the Glass in very different ways: to fight crime, and to help travelers at the airport.
A Dubai police spokesman told Reuters that a facial recognition program created by Dubai police would enable a connection between the detectives and a database of wanted people.
Once the device "recognizes" a person, based on a face print, it alerts the wearer.
But that is the second of a two-phase plan. First, the police department intends to conquer simpler uses such as traffic violations and tracking vehicles suspected in motor vehicle offenses.
Equipping their police with expensive gadgets is not a new concept for Dubai. They have already bought a number of $400,000 Lamborghinis for the patrols in tourist areas to keep up with their image.
Buying a few dozen Google Glasses, with price tags of $1,500 in the U.S., is pocket change by comparison.
The U.K., on the other hand, is rolling out a pilot program to provide Google Glasses to Edinburgh airport employees in order to help provide flight information, answer queries or translate foreign languages for travelers, according to the Daily Mail.
The three-month trial period is a cause of concern for some, though, at the first airport in the U.K. to test the potential of the Glasses as a tool.
A watchdog group, Big Brother Watch, has raised questions about the safety of using such devices in a public area or government building.
Director Emma Carr told the Edinburgh Evening News, "The danger with Google Glass is that the camera is seeing what you see, all the time, while the microphone allows nearby conversations to be eavesdropped on. It is impossible to guarantee against these devices being hacked, so it is surprising that this technology is allowed anywhere like an airport or government buildings."
Edinburgh Airport's welcome team, Blackjack, will be wearing the Glasses to help travelers, and airport officials said they understand it is a trial phase and want to see if it is suitable for an airport environment.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!