Google Pushes Privacy Angle As Gemini-Powered Smartglasses Debut (arstechnica.com) 13
Google is launching its first Gemini-powered smart glasses, with Samsung supplying the computing hardware. Given their built-in 12-megapixel camera, Google is emphasizing privacy protections, including a tamper-resistant recording light, automatic face redaction, and restrictions on real-time facial recognition and livestreaming. The company also promises not to use captured photos or videos for AI training or targeted advertising. Ars Technica reports: Google says the frames all weigh about 41 grams, which is not terrible but is definitely near the top for glasses generally. They will, naturally, weigh much more when you account for lenses. That will also determine the final pricing. So far, we only have the starting prices for these devices, including non-prescription lenses.
The setup here is similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses we've seen for a few years. There are no screens in the lenses, but you can interact with the AI system via voice or by activating the integrated camera. The experience should be similar to using Gemini Live on your phone, but it will be a lot easier to fire up the AI. You can say "Hey Gemini" or tap a touch-sensitive area of the frame to start interacting with the robot.
Since this is the same chatbot that operates across the Google ecosystem, it has access to your data and preferences. You can ask questions and get personalized answers, have Google Maps guide you by voice, or just talk with the AI to kill time. The glasses use custom open-ear speakers to limit distractions for those around you. Google notes the directional microphones should not pick up speech from other people, either.
Adding the camera feed is where things get interesting. When the AI can see what you see, it has the potential to do more work on your behalf. Google suggests asking Gemini for recommendations when looking at a bookshelf or glancing at an event poster to have the AI add it to your calendar. The glasses will also support Gemini Guided Vision, which provides conversational audio descriptions for people who are visually impaired. The new frames are available for preorder today starting at $395.
The setup here is similar to the Ray-Ban Meta glasses we've seen for a few years. There are no screens in the lenses, but you can interact with the AI system via voice or by activating the integrated camera. The experience should be similar to using Gemini Live on your phone, but it will be a lot easier to fire up the AI. You can say "Hey Gemini" or tap a touch-sensitive area of the frame to start interacting with the robot.
Since this is the same chatbot that operates across the Google ecosystem, it has access to your data and preferences. You can ask questions and get personalized answers, have Google Maps guide you by voice, or just talk with the AI to kill time. The glasses use custom open-ear speakers to limit distractions for those around you. Google notes the directional microphones should not pick up speech from other people, either.
Adding the camera feed is where things get interesting. When the AI can see what you see, it has the potential to do more work on your behalf. Google suggests asking Gemini for recommendations when looking at a bookshelf or glancing at an event poster to have the AI add it to your calendar. The glasses will also support Gemini Guided Vision, which provides conversational audio descriptions for people who are visually impaired. The new frames are available for preorder today starting at $395.
Nope (Score:4, Informative)
Nope, nope, nope. Don't care what measures are in place, glassholes are not allowed. Meta and Google have proven to be evil. Their guardrails mean nothing.
Re: (Score:2)
I know some people who are really hoping these become available to people with disabilities, because they would be extremely useful. For people with things like face blindness they could recognize people they know. For people with vision problems they could recognize dangers and describe the scene in front of them.
So I think it's worth asking if they could be made private enough to be acceptable. Obviously it can't be left in the hands of any tech company, but legislation could maybe work.
Re: (Score:2)
but legislation could maybe work.
Legislation from the same governments that brought us Five Eyes? Go on, pull the other one.
Re: (Score:2)
They want to spy on us, they don't want us spying on each other.
Re: (Score:2)
What you are describing is a medical device, not a consumer electronic device. The regulatory framework would be different; such devices would need to obtain FDA approval after demonstrating efficacy and safety. We already do this for hearing aids, for example, and it is also why companies that added hearing assistance features into their wireless earbuds, and ECG/SpO2 measurement capabilities in their smart watches, also had to secure FDA approval to make those marketing claims (even though these are not
Re: (Score:2)
My worry is that if it is a medical device it will be needlessly expensive. Often these things are only really available to people once the price falls.
Pushing the Privacy Angle? (Score:3)
Spy Glasses from an Advertising Company (Score:4, Informative)
"Promises" (Score:2)
"promises not to use captured photos or videos for AI training or targeted advertising"
Google's promise is as valuable as their commitment to 'not be evil'. On a scale of 1-10, that is a -4
Moreover, note it only promises for those two things. 10 years ago they would not have mentioned AI training cause it wasn't a thing yet. I wonder what is not a thing yet today but will be in 10 years.
Promise not to use our video for ANYTHING, anything less is not a promise at all.
Too late now (Score:2)
Now that there exists several types of glasses that can record and use the footage in different nefarious ways, it is unrealistic to expect of people that they would keep track of which models do what with the video.
Even if there were laws in place and only "approved" devices with approved functionality, there would still be no guarantees. Guardrails implemented in software are actually not guardrails: they can be changed by the originator, or they can be hacked.
And there's nothing stopping anyone from putt
What privacy angle? (Score:2)
Forgot one item (Score:2)
Needs to include a Red Cap - "Google World View" - to be worn always. Maybe it need to flash.
In other news (Score:2)
In a surprising public announcement, alleged mafia boss Anthony "Tony Two-Face" Marzano declared that he and the members of his organization are deeply committed to upholding the law, promoting transparency, and conducting all organizational affairs with integrity. Marzano emphasized that the organization intends to embrace accountability, cooperate with lawful authorities, and distance itself from any activities that undermine public trust. "Our future is built on honesty, responsibility, and respect for t