Google Glass is officially back from the dead, after the company launched a long-awaited second version of its augmented reality headset targeted specifically at business users.

The second iteration of the company's wearable, dubbed Google Glass Enterprise Edition, sports a number of improvements over its predecessor that target various industries and verticals.

"We've also made improvements to the design and hardware so that it's lightweight and comfortable for long term wear," the company wrote in a blog post announcing the new device. "We've increased the power and battery life too."

Google initially launched an early pilot of the device in 2014 - the Google Glass Explorer Edition - which was pulled from sale a year later after it met with a lukewarm reception from consumers. Many dismissed the wearable as a privacy-invading gimmick.

Rumours of a more enterprise-focused successor circulated following its demise, fuelled last year by the appearance on eBay of an early prototype for a second-generation 'Enterprise Edition' headset.

Google Glass Enterprise Edition is being marketed specifically at businesses such as manufacturing and engineering, where having to follow specific, rigorous processes can result in a lot of time spent checking manuals and instruction documentation.

By using Glass to place these instructions directly in the user's eyeline, complete with rich media like animations and video tutorials, customers like GE, Boeing and Volkswagen have reported efficiency gains of around 10% in some cases, as well as a general reduction in errors.

Agco, an agricultural equipent manufacturer, has been using Glass for two years in its factory to cut inspection times by 30% and train staff three times faster.

Peggy Gulick, Agco's director of business process improvement, said: "We found the greatest value from using Glass has been in the assembly and quality areas, through the easy and quick hands-free access to the instructions and checklists necessary to assemble our individually designed tractors. We have seen a significant increase in productivity, and our factory employees have reported being much happier doing their jobs."

Wearers can also use voice activation to launch apps if they're working with both hands, and it also supports live video, for first-person troubleshooting and collaboration with colleagues working remotely.

The use case is strikingly similar to Microsoft's HoloLens headset. Much like Google Glass, HoloLens is also framed primarily as a collaboration and productivity device, with real-time collaboration and training highlighted as key use-cases.

Google is also aggressively targeting verticals like healthcare and logistics. However, rather than selling Glass directly to customers, Google is instead pursuing an entirely channel-based sales strategy, offering Glass through more than ten key industry partners across various vertical markets.

The tech giant said it has more than 50 customers using Glass within their businesses as part of an early preview programme. Whether it has more success than its consumer-focused predecessor remains to be seen.

Picture depicts AGCO workers using Google Glass, courtesy of Business Wire

Google Glass, one of the tech industry's earliest experiments with wearable augmented reality technology, was widely regarded as a flop, Google removing the headset from sale in 2015.

However, the device's long-rumoured comeback may finally be about to materialise, as hinted at by a sudden update to its firmware and the MyGlass companion app. The update itself is minor at best - it adds support for pairing Bluetooth products such as mice, keyboards and more, but aside from a few bug fixes and tweaks, that's essentially it.

The update raises a number of questions. Evidently, someone at Google is still working on Glass - a project that many people assumed was abandoned - but the company has made no mention of reviving the product.

It's also strange that the first public update in two years should be such a comparatively minor one, rather than something more substantive. If the company is still working on Glass' development, why not keep it behind closed doors?

One possibility is that the update precedes the launch of a new generation of Glass devices. Rumours of an updated version of the company's AR wearable have been intermittently circulating since the first model's cancellation back in 2015.

An updated 'Enterprise Edition' of Google Glass even turned up in a San Francisco pawn shop last year, further fuelling speculation.

Whether this latest update is indication that Google Glass is still alive or not remains to be seen. However, given the company's lack of announcement around the platform, we wouldn't hold our breath for confirmation any time soon.

An enterprise version of the Google Glass headset has been found for sale on eBay.

A San Francisco pawn shop put the device up for auction on the site, after buying it from an unnamed individual.

At time of writing, the auction had already reached over $7,000, with over two and a half days left on the clock.

Dicovered by Google+ user Cavin Kabe, the listing is the first time anyone has seen the device in the wild, after an Federal Communications Commission filing revealed its existence last year.

The heads-up-display marks the second generation of the technology and follows the earlier 'Explorer' edition, although it was never officially released.

The device is a spruced-up version of the previous headset, geared towards enterprise use within key vertical markets.

The main change is that it now has built-in hinges, allowing it to be folded up like standard glasses.

Also evident from images attached to the eBay listing is a new proprietary charging port, which bears a striking similarity to Apple's MagSafe MacBook charger.

Rumours also suggest that further alterations include a larger display, water resistance and support for 5GHz Wi-Fi. Google has also included an LED to indicate when the device is filming.

A fully-fledged consumer release appears to be unlikely, after Google canned the Explorer edition of Glass.

As for how this device ended up in the hands of a pawn shop, it is possible that it was a unit used for internal testing, somehow smuggled out.

Development on Google Glass appears to be ongoing, with Nest's Tony Fadell currently heading up the project.

Image credit: A to Z Pawnbrokers

A new version of Google Glass targeted at the workplace could be released next year, according to reports.

Google's latest iteration of Glass, called the Enterprise edition internally, may take the form of a detachable mini-computer that can be swapped between different pairs of glasses, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Battery life has also been upped to two hours, and improvements made to speed and wireless connectivity, while 9to5mac claimed the new model will be water-resistant, and feature a hinge allowing the computer and battery to fold down like a regular set of specs.

The glass panel onto which images are projected is now longer and thinner than on the original Explorer edition, and can be moved up and down as well as side to side.

But the wider public won't be able to get their hands on the new Glass until later in 2016, with the device being sent to select businesses to use in the office.

The reports come after the new head of the Glass development, Nest CEO Tony Fadell, admitted the early release of the Google Glass Explorer edition was a misstep for the wearable.

In an interview with the BBC, Fadell said that future test versions of the device will be kept exclusively in-house, despite Google's general practice of allowing users to try beta versions of its products before launching full versions.

"If you are only doing services based on electrons, you can iterate quickly, test it, and modify it and get it right," he said.

"But when you are dealing with actual atoms hardware and you have to get manufacturing lines and it takes a year or more to develop that product, you better understand what it is and what it's trying to do and specifically what it's not going to do.

"Customers have to spend money to buy those atoms. They want something that delivers value or you end up with a real disappointment and you can spoil the market."

Fadell, who started leading the Glass development team in January, believes the device could be "as important as the iPod and the iPhone", but will take more time and work to get right. This stance is a far cry from April 2012, when the device was first revealed by Google, promising to transform daily life.

Early reviews panned the prototype for its disappointing battery life, while privacy issues were raised over users wearing the headset in public spaces.

Production eventually stopped in February 2015, with the design set for a business-oriented overhaul, a move predicted by IT Pro.

In fact, its potential for business use remains promising, especially in the healthcare industry, and Google has actively courted interest in the enterprise.

A spokesperson told IT Pro late last year: "The goal of the Explorer program was to get Glass in the hands of all types of people from parents to chefs, firefighters to surgeons, and see how they use the device in the world. It's still early days but the potential for Glass in various industries is massive. We're inspired by the different use cases we've seen and excited about those to come."

Google Glass could be set for a resurgence, with a whole family of products in tow despite its high-profile failure to revolutionise wearable tech.

A job posting on Google's website, first spotted by , lists ads for several positions opening up at the company Audio Hardware Manager; Human Factors Designer; RF Systems Engineer; Hardware Automation Engineer which some believe point to some new products in the Glass range.

Production and sales of Google Glass were halted back in February, but the company denied the commonly-held perception that it was because the headset had been deemed a failure.

In a blog post announcing the pause in Google Glass' journey back in January, the company wrote: "We still have some work to do, but now we're ready to put on our big kid shoes and learn to run."

"Early Glass efforts have broken ground and allowed us to learn what's important to consumers and enterprises alike," Tony Fadell, who was said to be co-running the new launch along with Ivy Ross, also said.

"I'm excited to be working with Ivy to provide direction and support as she leads the team and we work together to integrate those learnings into future products."

Now, it seems as if the next step includes many more products to accompany the much-maligned device.

It's possible that this will take the form of a range of different wearables, possibly with an eye on recently-successful products such as the Apple Watch.

In the ads, the new Google Glass team is described as "a world-class team focused on the cutting edge of hardware, software and industrial design. It is charged with pioneering, developing, building and launching smart eyewear and other related products in line with Google's ambitious and visionary objectives."

The company previously hinted that Glass would be targeted more towards enterprise customers than consumers upon its return, but whether this holds true remains to be seen.

Google's Eric Schmidt has revealed that although the company's Google Glass Explorer scheme has come to an end, the development of the smart glasses is a long-term project and the search giant won't simply be scrapping it.

Google stopped selling Google Glass in January, alongside the Explorer programme that allowed first adopters to use the hardware and develop apps for it. At the same time, Google set up a separate division specifically for developing Google Glass, headed by Ivy Ross.

Schmidt told the Wall Street Journal that just because things have shifted internally, it doesn't mean Google is ending its research into the wearable: "We ended the Explorer program and the press conflated this into us cancelling the whole project, which isn't true. Google is about taking risks and there's nothing about adjusting Glass that suggests we're ending it."

He explained that the situation is similar to Google's self-driving car testing, which isn't available publicly yet. He said both of these projects are long-term research initiatives, rather than something that will be launched to consumers quickly

Google is now focussing its Google Glass development on enterprises rather than consumers and future iterations will be targeted at businesses, so early adopters may be waiting a while until they are buying the device from their local electrical retailer.

Google CFO Patrick Pichette has already told sceptics that Google Glass won't join other failed electronic devices in the great technology graveyard in the sky. He told journalists at the fourth-quarter earnings call in January Google will reboot the product to ensure it is the best it can be.

Virgin Atlantic is trialling Sony's SmartWatch and SmartEyeglass to improve communications between Heathrow engineers.

The employees will receive updates on Sony SmartWatches and will use the Google Glass rival SmartEyeglass to take pictures that can be sent back to their bosses.

Both devices will hook up to smartphones and tablets, allowing for real-time recording between employees in different departments, who can also share data.

Phil Maher, director of operations at Virgin Atlantic, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Sony to trial wearable technology within our engineering team.

"We are proud of our recent innovation work to provide the best possible experience for our customer facing roles and we're pleased to now be exploring how new technology can contribute towards our essential operations procedures."

Virgin Atlantic's main motivation to introduce such technology was to boost productivity and cut down maintenance times by ensuring engineers can remain on the aircraft during turnarounds.

He said the technology is proving a great way to empower Virgin Atlantic's staff by providing instant access to the information they need.

Dennis van Schie, senior VP of marketing at Sony Mobile Communications, added: "This innovative thinking in pushing the boundaries of how these products are used is a great example of what can be done with our SmartWear and we look forward to continuing to work with Virgin Atlantic on this trial and future initiatives."

Virgin Atlantic has already experimented with wearables, equipping its ground staff with Google Glass and Sony SmartWatches to speed up the process of passenger check in.

Production of Google Glass's first iteration is being halted and sales of the devices stopped, but the search giant has denied it is ditching the idea of making its own smart glasses.

The company has confirmed in a Google+ blog post that people will no longer be able to buy the head-mounted, wearable computers through its Google Glass Explorer programme from 19 January.

However, Google has been quick to deny this means it's pulling the plug on the venture completely, and claims the decision will give it more time to concentrate on "what's coming next".

"We still have some work to do, but now we're ready to put on our big kid shoes and learn to run," the post states.

As part of this, the Glass team is now being spun out of Google X the business division responsible for developing and testing the firm's "moonshot" projects, which currently include its driverless cars and drone delivery services.

The post suggests the move could see Google make more of an effort to court the enterprise with Google Glass, and boost take-up of the technology within the business market.

"Interest in wearables has exploded and today it's one of the most exciting areas in technology," it reads.

"Glass at Work has been growing and we're seeing incredible developments with Glass in the workplace."

Now news has surfaced of Google's future plans for Glass, which will see the headset completely scrapped and redesigned "from scratch," according to the New York Times.

The launch of a new iteration of Glass will be ushered in by Tony Fadell and Ivy Ross, a jewellery designer and head of Google's smart-eyewear division.

Fadell, a former Apple product executive and founder of Nest, said in a statement: "Early Glass efforts have broken ground and allowed us to learn what's important to consumers and enterprises alike. I'm excited to be working with Ivy to provide direction and support as she leads the team and we work together to integrate those learnings into future products."

In regards to a complete overhaul of the product, an advisor to Fadell shed some light on the situation, telling the paper: "There will be no public experimentation. Tony is a product guy and he's not going to release something until its perfect."

This may mean that the new Glass could avoid some of the hurdles of the first iteration, which was effectively a prototype being sold to consumers and the enterprise for 1,000.

Enterprise appeal

According to industry experts, who spoke to IT Pro for an article looking at the long-term viability of Google Glass, the business market rather than the consumer space is where the company is tipped to do well with the wearable.

"In the meantime, we're continuing to build for the future, and you'll start to see future versions of Glass when they're ready," the Google+ post continued.

The announcement about sales of Google Glass being stopped was unlikely to come as much of a surprise to tech market watchers, as rumours suggesting Google might be planning to ditch the project had been circulating for some time.

Despite the product being available to buy through the Google Glass Explorer Programme, these were merely considered prototype devices, and no firm general release for the finished product has been offered by Google to date.

This hasn't stopped the device being banned from use in several public places (including cinemas, restaurants and bars), on privacy grounds.

This article was originally published on 16 January, but was later updated to include information aboug Google Glass re-design on 6 February.

Apple was awarded 28 new patents last week, reports Patently Apple (via CNN), and the choices offer noteworthy hints towards what direction the company's products could be heading in.

Among them was one for a "flexible electronic device," which calls to mind Apple's "bendgate" scandal where some users found the iPhone 6 Plus bent slightly in the middle when kept in pockets etc.

The patent reads: "Rigid electronic devices may be vulnerable to damage in the event of an impact such as a drop of the device on a hard surface. It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved electronic devices."

It includes mock-ups of how the flexible device would work, with bendable screen, battery and circuit board.

Then there are the smart glasses, which could pitch Apple against Google in the wearables market, dubbed "Lifestream." The patent describes it as an unscripted data collection system that collects "notes, recordings and annotation data elements."

The glasses could also plug into external apps such as Facebook, collecting video and audio information, as well as facial recognition, respiration patterns, pupil dilation and other data from users.

Google Glass has run into problems with consumers and business users alike, with limited battery life, privacy issues and reports of eye strain all contributing to a backlash. Apple's entry into the smart glasses market could knock Google's position even further.

When Google Glass was unveiled to the world in April 2012, it made its debut alongside a cutesy video showing how the head-mounted computer had the potential to revolutionise our daily lives.

The 2:30 minute clip showed a Glass wearer using the hands-free device to firm up plans to meet with friends, find their way to a local bookstore, before remotely serenading a lady friend with a ukulele.

More than two years have passed since that concept was shown and Google has yet to confirm a general release date. With reports about developers losing interest in making apps for the platform, it looks like Google's "vision" of the future is no closer to becoming a reality.

Could that be because the search giant has realised that while its early Google Glass promos positioned the device as a consumer product it's actually a better fit for the enterprise market?

Consumer backlash

Early reviews of the prototype devices flagged its lacklustre battery life as a possible impediment for anyone hoping to use Google Glass all day, while the list of public places where users are banned from wearing them on privacy grounds continues to grow.

"When they were first launched, I personally thought I'd be wearing them 24/7," Kevin Curran, a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, tells IT Pro.

"The limited battery life is frustrating [as] heavy use will drain them within a few hours. Who wants such a short battery life? And when they do run out, where do you put them?"

The privacy backlash to Google Glass has come as a surprise to some, and when coupled with its inability to achieve all-day battery life could seriously damage its long-term consumer appeal, says Annette Zimmerman, Gartner's EMEA lead on devices.

"When you wear a pair of smart glasses, you have this camera [attached to your face] and you are involved with other people who are not wearing one, and in terms of privacy invasion this [scenario] is something completely new that has not existed before," she tells IT Pro.

"This will the biggest inhibitor, in my view, to the consumer uptake of Google Glass."

Curran also cites the lack of apps for the platform as another barrier adoption.

"Google's strict no advertisement permitted' policy is preventing rich development here [because] for any operating ecosystem to grow strong, it needs a rich tapestry of apps," he explains.

"It's also not as simple as porting traditional apps in may cases to the Glass platform as [it] requires very specific navigation through voice, taps and head tilts.

"The limited marketplace makes any real commercial endeavours from app developers and gaming companies non-existent," he adds.

Business benefits

The devices have already had some success in the business market, adds Zimmerman, with Glass's hands-free navigation system winning it fans in a wide range of verticals, including the aerospace, healthcare and logistics markets.

"From a concept point of view, it reduces the time between discovering something and reacting to it. Users don't have to pull out a phone, type anything in [to be updated] and can react to it directly," Zimmerman explains.

"I've spoken to a whole set of companies that have just started their pilot [deployments]," she adds, including delivery firms DHL and UPS.

"It [is] also being used in hospitals by surgeons who use the 3D object [imaging] and the augmented reality [features it offers] in their surgery."

Similar head-mounted devices have also been introduced in the US for law enforcers, to help them record any run-ins they have with suspects, as well as detailed crime scene information.

Business interest in the platform is something Google has been actively trying to cultivate with Google Glass, a company spokesperson told IT Pro, through it's Explorer programme.

"The goal of the Explorer program was to get Glass in the hands of all types of people from parents to chefs, firefighters to surgeons, and see how they use the device in the world," they said.

"It's still early days but the potential for Glass in various industries is massive. We're inspired by the different use cases we've seen and excited about those to come."

The technology was worn by staff as they greeted Upper Class customers, allowing them to pass on up-to-date flight information and passenger details without having to break away from passengers to consult a computer.

Speaking to IT Pro, Tim Graham, technology innovation and development manager at Virgin Atlantic, said passengers had responded well to the technology, and remarked on how the service they received was "more personalised and efficient" as a result of its use.

"Our agents trialling Glass [also] reported that they were comfortable to wear during their shift (typically eight hours at a time)," Graham says.

The technology isn't perfect, though, with Graham citing several areas where improvements will be needed before Virgin can embark on a company-wide deployment of Glass.

"The technology is still in its infancy, and while it worked well for this particular meet and greet' function in a small area, both battery life and connectivity (via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) does need to be improved before it could be rolled out on a wider scale for other roles within the airline," he explains.

Despite these technological drawbacks, the company is pushing ahead with its Glass deployment plans within its Upper Class Wing.

"We have committed to rolling out both Glass and smartwatch technology at the Upper Class Wing early next year because it was such a great success with our customers and staff," he adds.

Enterprise appeal

The popularity of Glass in the business market has clearly not gone unnoticed by the boffins in Mountain View. Reports earlier this month suggested Google was working on a beefier, Intel-powered version, aimed at enterprise users.

Google Glass 2, as the device has been imaginatively dubbed, is being marketed at hospitals and manufacturing companies, a source told the Wall Street Journal.

Zimmerman says, if true, Google would be right to directly court the enterprise with the second iteration of the device, particularly as so many other vendors are preparing to launch similar products with one eye on the business market.

As an example, she flags the work Samsung has been doing with virtual reality headset makers Oculus Rift, but the likes of Fujitsu, Epsom and Canon also have business-focused offerings in the works.

Furthermore, there are also competitors with products emerging at prices much lower than the 1,000 quoted for the Google Glass prototype.

These may lack the head-mounted camera of Google Glass, but boast the same type of hands-free navigation system that have made the latter so popular with enterprise users so far.

"Some of these products are really not smart glasses [in the traditional sense], and cost around 20 to 30 bucks and all it does is have LED lights that only you can see that tells you if you have a new message, or if someone is calling you... they work with a Bluetooth connection through the phone," she adds.

Despite encouraging signs on the business adoption front, it's clear Google still has its work cut out when it comes to making Glass a truly enterprise-ready product, particularly when it comes to apps, battery life, connectivity and pricing.

Considering the firm doesn't actually have a finished version of the product on general release yet (and no confirmed signs on when one will appear), it has already secured a level of brand awareness within the business world its competitors can only dream about. However, it needs to move quickly to capitalise on this advantage and address the complaints levied at the device.

Otherwise, its rivals may be able to piggy-back on the work Google has done to popularise the notion of smart glasses in the enterprises and win deals with cheaper and higher-performing devices.

This article was originally published on 10/12/2014, but updated on 12/12/2014 to include input from a Google spokesperson.

Despite the headset not making quite the splash anyone was hoping for, Google Glass is getting an upgrade with its second generation, which will reportedly be powered by an Intel processor and aimed at business users.

Sources speaking to the Wall Street Journal claim that Google's next iteration of the device will replace the Texas Instruments processor in current models with an Intel chip.

The same source also predicts Google Glass 2 will be targeted at business users, specifically hospitals and manufacturing companies, rather than consumers as has been the case with the headset so far. It also wants to come up with new business uses for the device.

Google's Glass at Work programme, which is focused on developing software to support the device's use by enterprise customers, only reportedly has 5 per cent of the workforce currently devoted to it, with the company preferring to focus on the consumer market.

The company recently stopped selling Google Glass in physical stores, taking sales online exclusively and citing high demand as the reason for the move.

After the release date for the consumer version of the device was pushed to 2015, head of business operations Chris O'Neill was positive about Glass' position, saying: "We are completely energised and as energised as ever about the opportunity that wearables and Glass in particular represent."

The device has come under fire for a variety of issues, including a recent discovery that wearing a Google Glass headset while driving would restrict peripheral vision, thus increasing the risk of accidents.

With Intel now on board for the new Glass, battery life will likely be top of the agenda going forwards.

Reports of Google Glass' falling reputation and popularity have plagued the device since its launch, but now reports that the consumer version of the headset won't be released before 2015 have thrown Google's position on the technology even further into doubt.

Reuters reports that the consumer release date has been pushed back, though Google has publicly stated that it is still backing the device despite ongoing troubles.

Many app developers have put projects for Google Glass on hold in favour of other ventures or, like Twitter, pulled out altogether. Some have switched to working on apps for the enterprise market, where it is thought Google Glass has more potential.

"If there was 200 million Google Glasses sold, it would be a different perspective," Tom Frencel, the CEO of Little Guy Games told the publication. "There's no market at this point."

Matthew Milan, founder of software firm Normative Design, added: "It's not a big enough platform to play on seriously."

Despite a 2014 release date previously being touted, it is now likely to hit consumers at some point next year. It is thought this lack of definite release date has caused developers to lose faith in the technology.

However, Chris O'Neill, Glass Head of Business Operations, assured doubters: "We are completely energised and as energised as ever about the opportunity that wearables and Glass in particular represent.

"We are as committed as ever to a consumer launch. That is going to take time and we are not going to launch this product until it's absolutely ready."

Google Glass recently came under fire when it was reported that wearing the device would restrict the peripheral vision of the wearer, increasing the chance of accidents while driving.

Google Glass has come under fire for a range of privacy issues and its possible exploitation by media pirates, but now its potential to restrict the peripheral vision of wearers has now been flagged.

The warning comes from a study by academics at the University of California, reports the Telegraph, who used volunteers to test Google's headset. It was found that vision was significantly impaired from wearing the device, especially in the right hand corner where the display is situated.

Peripheral vision is important for drivers and cyclists, as it allows them to see oncoming vehicles.

Dr Edward Koo, clinical ophthalmologist at the University of California, San Francisco, said: "The Google Glass hardware produces a significant blocking effect of the right peripheral vision.

"The defect would not be compensated by the left eye and thus may negatively impact daily activities such as driving, cycling and running."

Comparing the results to those where the volunteers were wearing normal glasses, Google Glass was found to have much more impact on the peripheral vision of the wearers.

"In the UK, where the driving position is reversed, the potential blockage of right peripheral vision for on-coming traffic may be even more of a public safety hazard," Koo continued.

"The right peripheral field is also essential for many other activities such as providing the ability to perceive obstacles and hazards when cycling or jogging on the roadway."

Last month, a man was the first known person to be treated by psychiatrists for internet addition brought on by over-use of Google Glass.

Cinemas in the UK and US have made moves to ban the use of the head-mounted computers out of fear it may aid movie piracy and make it harder for staff to detect culprits.

A spokesperson for Google Glass commented on the new findings, saying: "Put on your favourite shades, glasses, baseball hat, or hoodie, and you'll quickly see that this study tells us what we already know; wearing something on your face or head may affect your peripheral vision.

"From the beginning, the Glass team has worked closely with a range of experts to develop a device that is safe for use, and after extensive study they have not found any safety issues when it's used correctly."

A survey by Kronos has revealed that the UK wearable scene is lagging behind the average, with Mexico and China eclipsing our use.

According to the research, only 27 per cent of the nation is using wearables in their personal life - way below the international average of 48 per cent and shocking in comparison to China and Mexico where 73 per cent and 70 per cent are using devices respectively.

However, 38 per cent of UK workers say they've used wearable technology. This may be a better proportion than those who use wearables at home, but it's still way below everyone else. 82 per cent of Mexicans are using some sort of wearable at work, while 81 per cent in China have taken up devices such as smart watches and glasses.

The things Brits cite as deterrents include that employees are having to provide their own devices to use with wearables. They said that should companies start providing the hardware, they would be much more receptive to the tech.

Of the 38 per cent of workers using technology already, the majority said they find wearables improve the efficiency of the work, while 41 per cent also said it gives them a better work/life balance.

Unsurprisngly, one of the reasons the UK is so behind is because Google Glass isn't available in the country, despite gaining a lot of media attention, Kronos said. Only 25 per cent of the UK adults surveyed said they would use Google Glass once it became available, with many of those saying they would rather request a more traditional headset.

Joyce Maroney, director of the Workforce Institute at Kronos said: "There's a strong belief that wearable technology will take off in the workplace before the home because devices such as smart watches, intelligent ID badges, and fitness and health monitors can provide organisations with uncharted data collection points to greatly improve safety, productivity, collaboration, and overall workplace effectiveness.

"This survey shows a marked difference in how wearable devices are used and perceived around the world, and people who use new wearable technologies in their personal lives tend to see more potential benefits in the workplace. The more comfortable we become with wearables, the more apt we are to leverage these technologies in the workplace."

Sony has unveiled its own head-mounted computer, with Smart EyeGlass being touted as the next legitimate competitor to Google Glass and set for release in spring 2015.

The glasses work differently to Google Glass previously the most high profile example of the technology in that, rather than the small panel situated above one eye, they have translucent lenses that display information over the wearer's direct field of vision, reports FirstPost.

The display is designed to complement and enhance whatever the wearer is looking at, though Sony has assured cynics this will not prove distracting.

This difference could address the various problems people have reported having with Google Glass, such as eyestrain and headaches. There have also been concerns over privacy with Google Glass and other wearable technology like it.

The glasses also differ from Google's offering in that their display is being kept monochrome in an effort to save precious battery life, while it also connects wirelessly to users' Android smartphones.

The glasses sport an image sensor, 3-megapixel camera, gyroscope, integrated accelerometer, electronic compass and microphone. Instead of the integrated controls in Google Glass, however, they come with a separate unit where the microphone and battery lives.

Various products similar to Google Glass have been slowly emerging since 2012, with different variations on the display and functionality of the headsets catering towards slightly differently markets.

Sony is reportedly hoping to launch a developer version of the Smart EyeGlass before 2014 is over, with a prototype becoming available to users in March 2015.

The Eye, a competitor to Google Glass hailing from Chinese tech company Baidu, is today being displayed at a showcase event in Beijing, reports The Next Web.

The wearable device was announced in April 2013, but is only now being demonstrated at the company's Baidu World event.

Despite being touted as a competitor to Google Glass and other smart headsets, unlike the others, the Eye does not include a screen.

The image, posted by Tech in Asia, shows how similar in appearance the Eye headset is to Google Glass and other rivals in spite of the lack of screen.

Kaiser Kuo, director of international communications at Baidu, told the site they had found that "screens impair vision and tires your eyes easily".

"Instead, we tether it to a smartphone app, so you can receive information on your phone screen (or your tablet, or another device) which is larger and easier to browse on than a small, head-mounted screen," Kuo continues.

"It also uses much less energy, and the battery lasts much longer. Its design is very light in the front, and of course people who wear eyeglasses can use it easily."

The device performs many of the same tasks as other emerging wearable devices, but relies on a smartphone or tablet to substitute as an in-built screen. It still supports voice and gesture commands.

Plans for the device that have not yet been put in place include integration with social networks, taking photos and answering calls. Baidu also reportedly wants developers to start creating apps for the Eye.

The product description for the prototype reads: "Basically Baidu Eye allows the user to analyze images and provide information or services related to your current field or a specific item. You can use voice commands, or gesture commands (like expanding to zoom, or circling an object in your field of view with your finger). You can identify plants, or find products (so far, handbags and articles of clothing) on e-commerce sites. The use case scenarios for now are limited, but we've got an enormous data set of clothes, bags, and flora right now."

A new device designed to bring your smartphone display to your car windshield, albeit more safely, has been unveiled by startup company Navdy.

Rather than beam your phone screen to your windshield, however, the device actually works on its own with an interface designed to keep drivers safe and undistracted while still alerting them to messages, calls and notifications.

Navdy's product projects a transparent display in front of the driver, designed to be unobtrusive and to help drivers avoid the dangers of using phones, tablets and other tech while on the road. With it, users can take phone calls, access music and more.

The device comes with a dual-core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, mini-USB port and lots more besides.

Navdy CTO and co-founder, Karl Guttag, told Mashable: "It's obvious that touchscreens and nobs and buttons all force you to take your eyes off the road. There's a lot of opportunity to improve that whole experience and make the whole experience safer and more natural and intuitive."

Users can control Navdy using their voice or with hand-gestures, with the option to customise which notifications are displayed on the screen. It also has Google Maps for navigation, which is obviously an essential feature for drivers, and promises to add Waze and Apple Maps support at some point.

People can pre-order the device, which is expected to start shipping early next year, for the discounted price of $299 for 30 days, and $499 afterwards.

The announcement of Google Glass back in 2012 has sparked a string of smart glasses all hoping to become significant rivals to Google's offering, with the latest contender hailing from startup Atheer Labs.

The company has unveiled the One headset, which is said to be targeting enterprise customers specifically due to a perceived demand for wearable technology in certain fields.

Soulaiman Itani, co-founder and Chief Scientist at Atheer Labs, told Business Insider: "The PC started with accountants, [and] Blackberry [phones] started with executives that needed to share email.

Itani reportedly believes wearable technology and devices like Google Glass and their own headset are the future of the computer, hoping to eventually launch them to the mainstream.

"The challenge with consumers is that [they] want something that works in all situations."

The company is planning to roll the glasses out to various industries first, including to hospitals and construction. The headsets would each be catered towards the field in which they were to be used.

Atheer's One glasses differ from Google Glass in several ways, with the display resembling a tablet view rather than the small panel sported by Google's device. Users can interact with the display using hand gestures.

Due to the more obtrusive nature of One, however, the prospect for 3D becomes much greater. In the demo experienced by Business Insider, it was possible to view a 3D diagram of parts of the human body, moving and interacting with it via corresponding hand gestures.

Atheer Labs' device was first demoed at AllThingsD's D11 conference in 2013, and funding for the One headset through Indiegogo hit more than $200,000 soon afterwards.

The Google Glass Explorer programme has launched in the UK, meaning beta testers can now get their hands on the Android-powered eyewear for 1,000.

The Explorer Edition version of the device is essentially a prototype device that Google wants people from a wide range of industries to test in order for it to "shape the future" of the wearable technology.

The 1,000 price tag gets buyers a device, along with a Micro USB cable, ear buds and pouch to keep their Google Glass in.

It has also been reported that Google Glass will support external webcams connected with an On-The-Go cable, which can then be used in addition to the headset's existing built-in camera. This makes multiple camera views a possibility, in turn providing more opportunity for developers creating apps for the device.

Other features include the ability to take and share photos using just your brainwaves, wearable healthy records to be used in hospitals and live streaming of people's lives.

This initial release is aimed at developers, rather than consumers, and those purchasing the device must be over 18.

The eyewear comes in a selection of colours, including black, red, white, shale grey and blue, and will be shipped in "one-to-two" business days, Google claims.

The Explorer Edition features Android 4.4 KitKat and is capable of capturing 5MP pictures and 720p videos.

It also reportedly weighs around 43g, boasts Wi-Fi connectivity, and comes equipped with 12GB of usable storage, and a micro USB port.

Users that want to partner Glass with another device will need to have a smartphone or tablet that runs at least Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich or an iPhone or iPad with iOS 7 or later.

The search giant is also touting a "one day of typical use" battery life, but warns users that some of its functions, like video recording, will drain the power pack faster than others.

Google Glass was first announced in April 2012, and since then questions have been raised by industry watchers about the privacy implications and safety of using the devices. Indeed, at the end of June, the ICO sounded the alarm over privacy when it comes to wearable technology in general. It advised users to bear in mind data protection laws and the fact they still apply to data collected and stored by such wearable devices.

A restaurant in Seattle banned the head-mounted devices because of concerns diners could uses them to film customers without their permission, while the Department For Transport has pre-emptively ruled that drivers should not wear them while behind the wheel. At the beginning of July, it transpired that UK cinemas had also banned the use of Google Glass amid concerns the devices could be used by movie pirates, and San Diego Comic-Con organisers took a similar stance a few weeks later.

However, it's not been all doom and gloom for Google Glass, as airline Virgin Atlantic has emerged as an early adopter of the technology having successfully trialled the use of it with its staff.

This article was first pubilshed on 24/06/14 and has been updated multiple times (most recently on 28/07/14) to reflect new information that has become available since its original publication.

Lenovo has developed its own smart glass headset, revealed late last week, which will go into direct competition with Google Glass when released.

The two devices appear quite similar in design, but with a few vital differences.

Lenovo's headset (which currently has no name) includes a separate battery pack that sits on the wearer's neck, for example, and this reportedly means it boasts more power than Google's offering.

Moving forwards, Lenovo need partners to help develop the product ahead of a commercial release.

Their smart glasses are part of the NBD (New Bench) platform, as well as a larger move towards products made in accordance with the Internet of Things.

Senior vice president Chen Xudong told PC World: "Right now there are too many kinds of devices you can develop for the Internet of Things. It's too rich. Not one company can do it all.

"We hope to use Lenovo's advantages to combine with innovators. This platform can help them quickly start selling products, and create a supply chain for the market."

More details will reportedly be unveiled come October 2014.

Despite being a beta product, Google Glass is available to buy in the UK priced at 1000. Whilst aimed at the developer community, anyone over the age of 18 can purchase a pair.

Does Glass have what it takes to revolutionise the way we interact with our environment? Or is it a whimsical idea Google is trying to force upon the masses?

After testing out the latest edition of Glass, we feel the device has potential.

Use Cases

Even if Google Glass does not take off as a consumer product, it has a number of use cases within the business environment. High-profile trials are being carried out by the US Air Force, Virgin Atlantic, NYPD and also in hospitals.

Glass also has the potential to help the disabled communicate more effectively. MindRDR is one such app, which allows users to take picture with Glass using their mind. The ultimate aim is to add features so people with severe multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia and locked-in syndrome.

Wearing Glass

Glass isn't like a smartphone or tablet. No matter how many demos you watch, the only way to get a feel for the device is by wearing it. I wasn't sure what to expect when putting Glass on for the first time. It sat lopsided on the table and looked weird and bulky.

Pick it up and you'll be surprised by how lightweight (50g) and robust it is. The frame is sturdy, but you won't want to drop it as the lens has no protection.

Glass is simple to use. To switch it on you tap the right hand frame and a heads-up display (HUD) pops up in front of your eyes. The effect is like seeing a 4-5in smartphone hovering horizontally a few feet in front of your face. The HUD has a 640 x 360 pixel count, and Google claims it's like looking at a 25in HD screen from 8 feet away.

The interface is navigated by touching the frame and using voice commands prefaced by the words 'Ok Glass'. Both are accurate and responsive and make the wearable device easy to use.

The lens sits over your right eye, but it's possible to adjust the hinge and move the heads-up-display so it's close to the centre of your face.

When the HUD display is off, the device doesn't block your vision. But you will feel self conscious, especially when you're the only person in the vicinity wearing Glass.

The device looks infinitely better when you clip on the see-through lenses or sunglass attachments which are included in the box. The latter giving the wearer a look akin to The Terminator.

Talking to someone who is wearing Glass feels awkward as you're drawn to the lens and camera protruding from their forehead. You can tell when someone else is using Glass as you'll see light reflected in the lens. But even when they're giving you their full attention they are looking at you through the lens. It would be preferable if the hinge would lift up so the lens can be moved completely out of the way.

What can you do with Glass?

Glass needs to be connected to the internet to be fully operational, but this is common for all of today's smart devices. Google is positioning Glass as a standalone product and not as a companion device like smartwatches.

Still, it's possible to connect Glass to your smartphone via Bluetooth using the My Glass app. This provides a second screen experience, mirroring whatever you see through your lens.

So what's it like to use Glass? The homescreen displays the time and from here you can initiate a voice command to either start an app or perform a core functional. These commands need to be prefaced by the term Ok Glass...', and whenever you say the words, a prompt pops up on screen.

It's possible to ask Glass to:

• Take a picture
• Record a video
• Get directions to...
• Send a message to...
• Make a call to...
• Make a video call to...
• Start a stopwatch
• Listen to...
• Translate this

We tested the basic voice commands and the responses were fast and accurate. When asked factual questions such as: 'Ok Glass, who's the 23rd President of the US?', the device popped up with a picture of Benjamin Harrison and read the answer out as well.

This brings us to another interesting point: there are no headphones attached to Glass. It transmits sound to your right ear via Bone Conduction technology. Sound is clear - and is barely audible to people around you. But the Google offices were quiet at the time of our visit and we've yet to see how Glass will perform in a noisy environment.

Text translation via the Word Lens app was one of the best features we tried. Glass zoomed in on a sizeable chunk of text and translated it from English to Spanish instantly. At this time it's also possible to translate from English to German, Italian or Portuguese and visa versa.

The camera is the most controversial but useful inclusion. Taking pictures (5-megapixel) and video (720p) is a doddle as you can activate it with voice commands. This will be particularly useful for those who have disabilities and may not be able to operate a smartphone or camera with their hands.

Second sight: Kyle Nazario, reporter at IT Pro gives his two cents

Glass surprised me. After five minutes wearing it, I could see the potential.

Controlling Glass with simple voice commands and swipes along the frame's edge felt natural. The interface took a little getting used to, but it's not complicated.

In terms of its design, I think Google has done a good job. Talking to people with a computer strapped to my face didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Glass stayed out of the way until it was needed.

Talking to my colleague who was wearing Glass was stranger, because I couldn't take my eyes off it. Glass will require time for the public to adjust.

We must remember the project is in the Explorer beta phase, so it's not perfect. The display resolution is low, swipe gestures along the frame can get jumpy and you'll get just hours of usage from this model. But these are all areas Google can improve.

The longer I spent with Glass, the more I was sold on it. I loved finding directions with Google Maps, taking pictures, and recording clips, using my voice and without the need for a smartphone.

Barriers to adoption

Google's run-ins with governments and consumers over privacy issues have been notorious, especially in relation to its Street View project. Glass will undoubtedly keep the web giant's legal team working over time for years to come.

It's the inclusion of the camera which is going to cause most problems. Glass doesn't have a LED light when it is recording.

It's possible to for other to see when the device is being used as the lens lights up. But sneaky third-party apps will no doubt pop up, to make it more covert. You can already get an app that lets you wink to take a picture, for example.

Glass will be banned in casinos and cinemas as it could facilitate cheating and piracy. Bars, clubs and restaurants may also prohibit use. The Department for Transport in the UK has said it will issue a driving ban but it remains to be see if and how this will be enforced.

Another area of concern is eye strain. The HUD technology provided by Glass is not found in any popular mainstream products and the effects of prolonged use are unknown.

Google is aware of possible issues and drafted in 20-year HUD veteran Eli Peli, a professor of ophthalmology at the Harvard Medical School to consult on the project before and during development.

According to Peli's assessment, the risk posed by Glass is low and he doesn't expect the device to trigger conditions such as phoria - misalignment of the eyes.

Battery life/Price

At the time of writing, battery life is unconfirmed with Google suggesting "all day of typical use" but warns users juice sapping activities, such as 720p recording and navigation, will reduce the life span. With heavy duty usage you'll see four hours of use. Recharging is quick - with 60 minutes to a full charge. We expect Google to improve this before any consumer launch.

The Developer Editions cost 1000 and it is unknown at this time whether Google will reduce the price for when the device goes on general release.

Less useful smartwatches, such as the Galaxy Gear cost $300, and from what we've seen of Glass, it could get away with being double the price. However, even when it goes on general release, we expect it to be a niche product.

This article was originally published on the 11 February 2014 and has been updated to reflect Google Glass is now available in the UK.

Frame: Adjustable nosepads and durable frame fits any face. Extra nosepads in two sizes.

Display: 640 x 360 pixels. Equivalent of viweing a 25 inch HD screen from eight feet away.

Camera: Photos - 5 MP, Videos - 720p

Audio: Bone Conduction Transducer

Connectivity: Wifi - 802.11b/g, Bluetooth

Storage: 12 GB of usable memory, synced with Google cloud storage. 16 GB Flash total.

Battery: One day of typical use. Some features, like video calls and video recording, are more battery intensive.

Charger: Included Micro USB cable and charger. Glass is designed and tested with the included charger in mind. Use it and preserve long and prosperous Glass use.

Compatibility: Any Bluetooth-capable phone, The MyGlass companion app requires Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher. MyGlass enables GPS and SMS messaging.

After receiving an invite to test an app purporting to allow users to control Google Glass with their mind, we couldn't help but be skeptical. Was it a belated April Fool's Day prank? A PR stunt? Or had they actually done it.

Dubbed MindRDR, the app claims to let you to take pictures without having to touch Google Glass or use voice commands. And despite how unrealistic this might sound, it works.

Does it read your mind?

No. MinderRDR is not able to read your thoughts and cannot share them with anyone. The app works by monitoring general brain activity and assessing whether you are in a state of concentration or relaxation.

What you need?

To get this functionality, you need to pair a portable EEG headset together with Google Glass. The app has been designed to work with an off-the-shelf Neurosky EEG biosensor - available for 71.

The EEG monitor uses electrodes to sense brain waves: one is placed on your forehead and the other clips to your ear. Any brain waves are turned into digital signals and sent to Glass via Bluetooth.

Mind control

Once you've got all your cyborg-like headgear on, it's time for the exciting part. First you activate the app by saying "Ok Glass, Mindreader".

This initiates the regular camera mode with a crucial difference. There's a fluctuating line in the middle of the screen, which you can move with your mind. To take a picture you need to get the line to move up to the top of the display.

As we've mentioned, MindRDR doesn't know the exact content of you thoughts so you can't get it work by thinking about "taking a picture". Instead you have to concentrate on other things.

We were told to focus on our 8 times table, try stacking boxes or going through the alphabet backwards by Ben Aldred, director at This Place.

Working through the alphabet backwards worked for me, while my colleague Zack Donnelly used the times table technique.

It felt weird thinking about something different to the task we wanted to achieve, but after a couple of attempts we got a feel for it. Getting even weirder, it was possible for one person to wear Glass and the other to wear the headset and initiate a picture.

Once the app took a picture, it could be shared with the MindRDR Twitter account it was synced up to - again by concentrating and making the line move to the top of the display.

Brain activity feedback

Being connected to an EEG monitor also allowed us to view feedback on our concentration and relaxation levels.

When focusing on running through the alphabet backwards, my concentration level was middling at 43 and my relaxation score a zen-like 66. Meanwhile, my colleague Zack was shown to be far more attentive.

Having access to such information could help people see their levels of attention and improve upon this.

Use cases

Functionality is basic, with the beta app acting as proof of concept. The ultimate aim is to help those with disabilities interact with their environment.

"We found that your arm gets tired when using Glass regularly and those who don't have two arms or have limited movement are excluded from using it," Chloe Kirton, creative director at This Place, told IT Pro.

With refinement, the device has the potential to help those with severe multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia and even locked-in syndrome, it is claimed.

With the open-sourced API available on GitHub, the firm is looking to the developer community for help to increase functionality. The creators are also actively working with medical professionals to improve the app.

What about privacy?

A range of public places from cinemas to bars have banned Glass because it has a camera. Adding a mind-control capability is bound to draw scrutiny. However, as with all technology, there is the possibility for it to benefit people and also be abused.

"Any new technology is like a Pandora's Box. You see that with 3D printers. One person will go out and build a heart valve whilst another will create a gun," Kirton added.

With benefits for the disabled on offer, MindRDR has potential to do more good than harm in the world.

Besides, with the need to wear an unsightly piece of headgear, it's unlikely people will be walking down the street with this and use it to take clandestine pictures. Even if they do, you'll be able to spot them a mile off.

A free, open source application that allows Google Glass wearers to control the device using brainwaves has been unveiled.

The app allows users to take pictures and videos and post them on social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, using the power of their minds.

The MindRDR app has been devised by London-based firm This Place, and could make wearable tech devices easier for disabled people to use.

The app uses a Neurosky EEG biosensor to translate brain activity and feed it back into Google Glass to perform its actions. In order to operate the device, users need to concentrate or relax.

Dusan Hamlin, the founder and CEO of This Place, said the firm was intent on finding ways to use brainwave monitoring technology to control the way Google Glass operates since news of the devices first emerged.

"Google Glass is one of the world's most recognisable and popular pieces of wearable technology, but after getting our hands on it, the challenge of connecting it to brainwaves was one we could not resist," he said.

The head-mounted computing device typically requires users to utter voice commands to make it carry out certain actions, and the technology has the potential to open up Google Glass to a wider range of users, including those with conditions - such as locked-in syndrome - which prevent them from speaking.

As such, and as time goes on, the company is hoping to expand the number of functions the device is able to do.

Chloe Kirton, creative director at This Place, explained: "While MindRDR's current capabilities are limited to taking and sharing an image, the possibilities of Google Glass telekinesis are vast.

"In the future, MindRDR could give those with conditions like locked-in syndrome, severe multiple sclerosis or quadriplegia the opportunity to interact with the wider world through wearable technology like Google Glass."

The open source nature of the technology also paves the way for developers to embed their own ideas into it and customise it in other ways.

The app highlights the positive implications of embracing Google Glass, which has suffered something of a backlash in recent months, with UK cinemas moving to ban the devices on piracy grounds and others raising issues about the freedom it gives users to take pictures anad record audio without others knowing.

The MindRDR app is available to download now from GitHub.

MindRDR from This Place Ltd on Vimeo.

Google has announced five winners of a competition it set up to find innovative uses for its wearable Glass technology.

Selected from over 1,300 proposals; each non-profit winner will receive a pair of Glass, a $25,000 (14,586) grant and a trip to Google's headquarters for training. Winning teams will also be given access to Glass developers to make their projects a reality.

Classroom Champions aimed to give students in high-needs schools the chance to see what life is like through the eyes of a paralympic champion. The project aims to encourage those with disabilities to see what they can accomplish if they set their minds to it.

Women's Audio Mission put forward the idea of using Google Glass in its music, science, technology and engineering programs for women and girls. Those wearing the Glass would be able to interact with a more immersive lab experience online and in person, the scheme claims.

Two other programs focused on using Google Glass to aid in therapeutic treatment. The Hearing and Speech Agency plans to use Glass as a way for users to overcome speech language challenges, hearing loss and autism, as well supporting their carers.

The Mark Morris Dance group petitioned the idea of creating a Glass app that helps people with Parkinson's disease remember and trigger body movements in the day to day lives.

Finally, the 3000 Miles to a Cure winner put forward the idea of having Glass users experience their cyclists racing from one side of the US to the other, seeing the journey through the eyes of the participants.

"America will be able to see and experience it through a racer's eyes and the racer will be alerted to every message of encouragement and donation supporters send," director of Google.org, Jacqueline Fuller, wrote in a blog post.

Google is already working with the groups in order to turn their ideas a reality, and has assigned each one a mentor to oversee its development.

Days after cinemas across the UK banned Google Glass, another potential criminal use for the tech has been uncovered.

Cyber forensics experts from the University of Massachusetts have created software that allows wearers to track where others are touching their screens, thus detecting their passcodes.

Using video taken with Google Glass and other video-capturing devices, the software researchers have developed software that allows anyone to map where fingers have touched the tablet or phone screen, even from ten feet away.

The algorithm that converts these touch points into the actual keys has reportedly been tested on an iPad, a Nexus 7 tablet and an iPhone 5.

Researchers have also claimed the software could potentially give Glass wearers access to important information such as bank account passwords.

Though this technology is already available to crooks using webcams and camcorders, wearable tech has made the practice much harder to detect, and thus much more dangerous.

With Google Glass and other wearables such as smartwatches, those out to steal your information can more easily go unnoticed.

The research will feature at the Black Hat cybersecurity conference taking place in Las Vegas next month.

Google Glass headsets have just become available to UK customers for the hefty price of 1,000, but cinemas around the UK have deemed them a potential aid to video piracy, and have thus banned them from use.

The worry is that those wearing the tech will be able to record blockbuster films without detection, contributing to the problem of film piracy in Britain and around the world. One early user was asked to remove his Google Glass headset in a Leicester Square cinema recently.

Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association, said: "Customers will be requested not to wear these into cinema auditoriums, whether the film is playing or not."

The glasses allow users to read their emails, capture videos, browse the internet and more through a display panel situated above the right eye. Though Google Glass' panel lights up when filming, there are still worries the act can go unnoticed in certain situations.

Concerns over video piracy are in many ways an extension of privacy issues that have plagued Google since the wearable tech was announced. With users granted the ability to record what they see without permission, and often without detection, this has brought with it many concerns.

In addition to cinemas across the country, other entertainment outlets are reportedly looking into taking similar precautions. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, for example, announced it would "evaluate the implications, especially with regard to the effect on the cast, creative team and members of the public."

A spokesperson for Google said: "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," the spokesperson added.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is calling on wearable tech users to ensure data collected by their devices is processed in line with the UK's data protection laws.

This week alone has seen details emerge about new smartwatch technology from LG and Android, as well as the UK release of Google Glass to developers and beta testers, as the wearable tech trend continues to gain momentum.

In the midst of this, the ICO has published a blog post, reminding users of the technology to be wary of the privacy implications of using it, and the laws surrounding the sharing of data created by wearable devices.

Andrew Paterson, the data protection watchdog's senior technology officer, said it is imperative the way wearable tech devices collect, process and share information is in line with the requirements of the UK Data Protection Act.

"If you are using a wearable technology for your own use then you are unlikely to be breaching the Act. This is because the Act includes an exemption for the collection of personal information for domestic purposes," Paterson explained.

For instance, if someone wears a devices that tracks health data that remains on the device, or is only viewable from a private computer, that is fine in the eyes of the Data Protection Act.

"But, if you were to one day decide that you'd like to start using this information for other purposes outside of your personal use, for example to support a local campaign or to start a business, then this exemption would no longer apply," he added.

Further complications may also emerge if the health tracking device above shares details of the jogging routes people have taken or publishes details of users' performance online to compare with others.

This type of data must be processed in line with the Data Protection Act, warns Paterson.

"This includes making sure that people are being informed about how their details are being collected and used, only collecting information that is relevant, adequate and not excessive and ensuring that any information that needs to be collected is kept securely and deleted once it is no longer required," he explained.

And it's not just the Data Protection Act wearable tech users and device makers risk falling foul of, as the CCTV Code of Practice also comes into play for tools that capture pictures and videos.

"The rise of wearable technology brings exciting new possibilities and is set to become widespread in the years ahead," he added.

"But organisations must not lose sight of the fact that wearables must still operate in compliance with the law and consumers' personal information must be looked after," Paterson concluded.

A new app for Google Glass will allow users to stream real-time video of their daily lives online and charge others for the privilege of watching them.

The app from Livelens will let Glass users share live streams of their lives to be viewed by others, with the option to comment on and like videos along with other social features.

They will even be able to charge a fee for watching, and the app has garnered attention for its potential as an income generation stream for celebrities and wannabe celebrities alike.

Improvements will have to be made to the battery life of Google Glass before live, continuous all-day streaming is possible, but this is an area that is likely to be developed in the future. Google did, however, pull in-built video call functionality from the device as recently as April.

Max Bluvband, chief executive of Livelens, said: "We're excited to expand into the growing sector of wearables and we believe our Google Glass application provides a fascinating experience for broadcasting your life."

Livelens already has apps available on both Android and iOS.

The Google Glass app takes advantage of its unique perspective as wearable tech, and is able to effectively broadcast what the user is actually seeing.

The ability to monetise these streams, as well as using social features such as Facebook sharing and comments, are also selling points for the app.

Demand for and interest in Google Glass apps for business use is steadily growing, and a California-based electronic medical record company has launched an app that allows doctors to keep a "wearable health record" for their patients.

The app comes from startup Drchrono and, with individual patients' permission, can keep a record of consultations and surgeries with photos and notes all stored electronically. These records can then be stored on cloud-based services and easily shared with relevant parties.

This opens up some security issues that San Francisco-based podiatrist Dr. Bill J. Metaxas has warned physicians considering the technology to bear in mind. Being sure to get patients' consent and "locking down security settings" are both important in ensuring the method is safe for everyone, he told Reuters.

Tablets such as the iPad are already widely used in clinics and hospitals, and one facility that uses Google Glass in the operating room and in consultations has claimed that 99 per cent of patients agree for the technology to be used.

A variety of similar apps for the wearable device are reportedly being developed with healthcare practitioners in mind, catering to the growing demand for technology that helps with day-to-day tasks and record keeping. If the use of Drchrono or another app becomes widespread, it could make cloud storage for patients' health records the norm, as well as offer many additional benefits for doctors.

Daniel Kivatinos, Drchrono co-founder, said at a recent event in San Francisco: "Google is still in the early-stages of determining the most viable use-cases for Google Glass. But some doctors are demanding Glass, so Google is providing resources and support to developers."

The company's electronic medical record service has 60,000 registered users, with 300 of these physicians reportedly using the Drchrono app already.

COMMENT: Since it was announced in 2012, Google's pioneering wearable kit, Google Glass, has been met with equal amounts of awe and ridicule.

Will it change the way we view the world forever? Is that a good thing? Is anyone even going to wear a pair of funky' glasses or they merely a short-lived gimmick?

Privacy fears have since cropped up as well as a concern about the hefty $1,500 (900) price tag for early adopters and, now, just as Google Glass clutches onto its place in the public consciousness, rival products have begun to emerge to challenge its position.

One such product is ChipSiP's Smart Glass, SiMEye, which was recently unveiled at Asia's biggest tech show Computex by the Taiwanese company. It now looks set to provide some genuine competition to Google's augmented reality glasses.

Wearable tech is an exciting and fast-growing market and, despite some dubbing new products now daring to emulate Google mere copycats, it has to be noted that the Smart Glass boasts features that are either absent or underdeveloped in Google's offering. It's an imperfect product, even if it has been tempting to think that the race was already over.

The ability for users to download Android apps directly from the Play Store rather than via another device (as with Glass), video capture up to 1080p (four times the resolution of Glass) are attractive propositions. What's more, a significantly lower price tag of $500 (300) is the thing that could surely entice customers to SiMEye the most. It might look like the ugly stepsister now, but that could change in a heartbeat.

Because, while style can be important to the average consumer, and Google Glass while still rather clunky and obvious-looking, has that over its various rivals power, ability and convenience are much more valuable in the long-term. For business use, for example, it's clear that the competition is far from over.

Virgin Atlantic also underwent a successful trial of wearable tech including Google Glass, and is currently creating plans for a wide-scale rollout.

The potential benefits of a hands-free, voice activated device with the capabilities smart glasses claim to have are huge, with businesses around the world expected to utilise it in the future. But what does the emergence of rival products like SiMEye tell us? Does this signal that Google has something worth copying, or simply that it can be done better by a different company?

In addition to the new product from ChipSiP, an early prototype for wearable technology from Dyson, much like Google Glass, was also revealed last week.

Despite these genuine rivals to Google Glass now gaining interest, the fact still remains that the launch of wearable tech glasses has been far from seamless.

With smartwatches gaining on the idea with increasing speed, it could be that the time for both Google Glass and SiMEye is over before it has even begun.

Image credit: ChipSiP

Google has announced its Google Glass product will be available with a designer frame.

The company said on its blog that Diane von Furstenberg has been actively involved in bringing the designer look to Google's line of smart glasses.

The glasses will only be available for those enrolled in the Glass Explorer Program which comprises developers and beta testers of the smart goggles.

Five different frame designs will be released on June 23 and will go on sale via Net-a-Porter and Google's Glass website. You can also choose between eight different shades to make your glasses almost unique.

Diane von Furstenberg's latest Google Glass designs will join the Titanium collection which was launched in January and will go on sale on Mr Porter at the same time.

The designer has previously shown her support for Google Glass when she allowed Google to document her show at New York Fashion Week from the perspective of the models back in 2012.

Google Glass is only available to a select number of people at the moment and you can only sign up to the Explorer Program if you live in the US.

In April, Google opened up the sales of its Google Glass smart goggles for one day only, allowing interested parties to buy a pair of the spectacles for $1500.

The special offer came about after people participating in the #ifihadglass campaign on Twitter and Google+ that invited people to submit ideas of what they would like to do with Glass. The winners of the competition were enrolled into the Glass Explorer programme.

A number of high profile companies have successfully completed trials with Google Glass including Virgin Atlantic who used the technology to check in Upper Class passengers.

Dyson has revealed details of a prototype augmented reality headset, in the style of Google Glass, that the company produced more than a decade ago.

The bag-less vacuum cleaning firm reportedly started work on its Halo headset in 2001. It has only released details about its existence now to mark the fact 21 years have passed since the release of the world's first cyclonic vacuum cleaner.

The product was powered by a pocket computer. The headset featured a pair of mirrors that reflected the display of two monitors positioned near the user's temples into their eyes.

Any content users looked at would appear as if it was being beamed onto a 10in translucent screen about a metre ahead of them.

The design, which was shelved several years later, allowed users to operate the computer using audio and motion prompts, as well as a wrist-worn mouse that would allow them to interact with the display in front of them.

In an interview with the publication Digital Trends, company founder James Dyson suggested the things his team learned through working on Halo would have been put to good use elsewhere, despite the product being canned.

For example, he said the company's R&D team are regularly encouraged to push ahead with projects regardless of how "implausible" they seem.

"Fans without blades and hand dryers that actually dry your hands wouldn't have come about unless Dyson engineers had the freedom to experiment," he said.

"We'll be doing it for the next 21 years, and the opportunities are only becoming more exciting."

Virgin Atlantic has declared its six-week trial of wearable technology, including Google Glass and Sony Smartwatches, a success, with the airline confirming to IT Pro it is now evaluating plans for a wide-scale rollout.

"The trial was a huge success with positive feedback from both our staff and customers on the usage of wearable technology," a Virgin spokeswoman told IT Pro.

"We are currently assessing the costs and benefits of rolling this out to the rest of our team in the Upper Class Wing and hope to make a decision soon. At the same time, we are also looking at other opportunities within the airline that we believe could benefit from the use of wearable technology."

During the trial at Heathrow Terminal 3, Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class passengers were greeted by staff wearing Glass during the check-in process.

The airline worked in conjunction with aviation IT specialist SITA to deploy the wearable technology. A special app was created to work in conjunction with Glass and the Sony Smartwatches and pushed through passenger information, including itinerary details, directly to the wearable tech.

Staff were also able to use devices to provide real-time details to passengers including details about local weather and translate information into foreign languages.

Google Glass has yet to be officially released to the public, although the tech giant did have a special one-day sale in the US earlier this month, charging $1,500 + tax.

Google has also been running an extensive "Explorer" program, allowing developers to purchase the device, provide feedback and develop apps for it.

Consumer adoption of Glass is unlikely to be high upon release due to its pricing, but it is clear there are a number of business benefits presented by the hands-free device.

The aviation, healthcare, sports, armed forces and even the porn industry have all taken a keen interest in the benefits of wearable technology and are expected to deploy it. The ability to interact with Glass entirely using voice commands also means the device will be particularly useful for people with disabilities.

Google's Glass spectacles will be released for one day only in the US as an extension of its Explorer Programme.

Demand for the wearable computer will be tested on US consumers before going on sale permanently and hopefully around the world.

Google confirmed the news in a blog post, saying: "Next Tuesday, April 15th at 6am PDT, we're opening up some spots in the Glass Explorer Program. Any adult in the US* can become an Explorer by visiting our site and purchasing Glass for $1500 + tax and it now comes with your favorite shade or frame, thanks to feedback from our current Explorers."

The number of products available will be limited and they will be shipped out on a first come, first served basis, Google confirmed.

Google decided to go ahead with the limited release after the success of the #ifihadglass campaign the company ran on its Google+ and Twitter accounts. Those individuals who had the best ideas were invited to join Google's Explorer Program as testers.

The Google Glass Google+ account posted, "Every day we get requests from those of you who haven't found a way into the program yet, and we want your feedback too. So in typical Explorer Program fashion, we're trying something new."

Google hasn't said exactly why the trial is only for US customers, but did offer this apology: "To everyone outside the US... we know. Sorry :( We're just not ready yet to bring Glass to other countries."

The Google Explorer Programme currently has around 10,000 worldwide testers of the device working in a wide range industries, including the US Airforce, which announced it was testing the wearable tech in the battlefield.

Google Glass is reportedly being tested for use by the US Air Force and could become the norm if trials go well.

According to Venture Beat, the Android-powered wearable is being used by the US Air Force's Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided Knowledge (BATMAN) Human Performance Wing, which undertakes research and development in the US military.

Google Glass could be used to help air controllers working on the ground guide vector fighter and bomber aircraft to their targets and for search and rescue missions.

The group comprises both civilian and military scientists who work together to come up with solutions to real problems while forces fight on the battlefield.

2nd Lt. Anthony Eastin, a behavioral scientist in the BATMAN team, said the glasses are a great solution for using in the field because they don't use much power, sit totally above the eyes, and don't block images or hinder vision.

The goal is to ultimately build software that will help the military collate research on how to deal with situations in the future.

Andres Calvo, a software developer and civilian contractor for BATMAN, said the department chose to use the Google Glass platform because it made it easy to access information quickly.

But, he said, Google Glass isn't the answer to all the Air Force's needs and does require some development in order to get it to the stage the department can use it.

The US Air Force bought two sets of Google Glasses through Google's Glass Explorer program.

A number of companies are trialling Google Glass, including Virgin Atlantic and the NYPD, which hopes to use the glasses to note incidents and record audio or video interviews with witnesses.

A US hospital is testing the effectiveness of Google Glass for medical care in a limited trial.

Rhode Island Hospital has equipped physicians with Google's smart spectacles, according to the Brown Daily Herald. These stream video to a dermatologist on call, allowing the doctor to examine the patient over the internet.

"It's pretty much like the dermatologist is in the room," said study participant and emergency medicine resident Roger Wu.

He said Glass makes physician consultations more efficient, allowing faster access to specialists who know more than general consultation physicians.

Ismail Nabeel, an assistant professor of general internal medicine at Ohio State University, would like to see some improvements to Glass before widespread medical adoption. He would like the camera to follow the user's eye movement, for example, and sit closer to the centre of the user's face.

Glass has other issues. IT Pro tested a pair and had issues with recording. A Google rep put the frames' battery life at 45 minutes of recording video. They also heat up, making them problematic for all-day use in a medical setting.

Glass is also being tested by Wearable Intelligence at a Boston Hospital, a company looking to bring it into healthcare. It gave a Glass headset to Dr. Steve Hong, who said it has already saved one life by letting him see a patient's allergy information without using his hands.

Surgeons have done similar actions by recording procedures or streaming them for students to watch later.

Healthcare made IT Pro's list of the best possible uses for Google Glass.

Google has released a list of myth-busting facts about Google Glass, in a bid to dispel some of the most common misconceptions about its flagship wearable tech product.

"In its relatively short existence, Glass has seen some myths develop around it," the post on Google+ states. "While we're flattered by the attention, we thought it might make sense to tackle them all, just to clear the air."

Google paints Glass as a way to engage more with real life, and - unlike a smartphone - allows users to access information quickly without appearing anti-social.

The search giant also wants Glass to be adopted by everyone, not just tech geeks.

"In fact, many Explorers [Google Glass testers] say because of Glass they use technology less, because they're using it much more efficiently," the post reads.

Google also moved to assuage fears of the technology's recording capabilities, saying its surveillance potential is not as bad as people think. It reminds users that Glass is not physically capable of constantly recording, because of battery life limitations.

A Google rep recently told IT Pro that the current crop of headsets heat up during video recording, which would make constant recording very uncomfortable for users.

"Let's be honest: if someone wants to secretly record you, there are much, much better cameras out there than the one you wear conspicuously on your face," the company wrote on their Glass page.

"Today there are more cameras than ever before. In ten years there will be even more cameras, with or without Glass."

Google's response reflects public unease with Glass. The new smart frames face widespread resistance by wary users, according to a recent IT Pro report.

"[The] basic concept of privacy is that you get to decide what you are comfortable with in terms of sharing data," said Nick Pickles, director of privacy watchdog Big Brother Watch.

"I think Glass reverses that. So rather than being in control of what information is disseminated around the web about you, it's the person wearing Google Glass who makes the decision for you."

Lastly, Google took the chance to remind readers that its frames are not ready for mass production yet. Glass is still a beta product that needs more work before it goes on general release.

Google hasn't given any details about release date or pricing of the consumer version of Glass, but rumours suggest it will go on sale sometime later this year.

The myth post follow's Google's advice page of how not to be a "Glasshole." The company is trying to alleviate potential conflicts as Glass enters more spaces, especially now that you can get it with prescription lenses.

Google will release a developer software development kit (SDK) within the next two weeks to make it easier for organisations to create wearable Android devices.

The announcement was made by Google's SVP of Android and Chrome, Sundar Pichai, at the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, which is taking place this week.

"We want to develop a set of common protocols by which [wearable devices] can work together," said Pichai.

"They need a mesh layer and a data layer by which they can come together," he added.

According to Pichai, the launch of the first developer SDK for Android, which will happen before the end of the month, "will lay out the vision for developers in how we see this market working".

Pichai made no reference as to whether or not Google is intending on making any wearable devices itself, beyond its existing Google Glass product, saying it is "for partners and developers to figure out".

However, it is rumoured the company is working with LG to build an Android-powered smartwatch.

Allegedly, plans for its smartwatch-focused operating systems will be unveiled towards the end of this month, possibly at the same time the SDK is released, with the LG device being unveiled at its June Google I/O conference.

Nevertheless, Pichai indicated Google was not just focusing on wrist-mounted computers.

"When we say wearables, we think about it much more broadly. It could be a jacket...with sensors I don't know," he said.

Google has released a guide on how to avoid being a Glasshole' when using its Glass headset as it gears up to bring the technology to market.

The web giant has been collecting feedback from early Glass testers and provided a list of tips.

"Standing alone in the corner of a room staring at people while recording them through Glass is not going to win you any friends," Google warns.

"The Glass camera function is no different from a cell phone so behave as you would with your phone and ask permission before taking photos or videos of others."

Google Glass etiquette

Do

Explore the world around youTake advantage of voice commandsAsk for permissionUse screen lockGive feedback

Don't

Stare into it for too longUse when doing high-impact sportsWear it and expect to be ignoredBe a creepy Glasshole

"Glass was built for short bursts of information and interactions that allow you to quickly get back to doing the other things you love," Google continued.

"If you find yourself staring off into the prism for long periods of time you're probably looking pretty weird to the people around you."

Google also suggest that the best way for Explorers to answer questions about Glass is to let people try the product.

The tips are an attempt to help Glass users integrate into a wary public. Privacy groups, businesses and government agencies have banned Glass in advance of its release to the general public.

Glass is expected to be banned by the Departments for Transport around the world. The UK, West Virginia and California have already outlawed wearing Glass while driving because of fears it will distract users behind the wheel.

Several businesses have made the news for not allowing customers to wear Glass, including a Seattle cafe. It preferred its customers not be recorded while they ate, citing the headset's increased capacity for surveillance.

"Equally, if you're a business and you're working on sensitive IP, or working in a government department, I can't see those are people being happy with people wearing Glass because it's a huge threat to information security," said Nick Pickles, director of privacy watchdog Big Brother Watch. "A lot of those kinds of facilities already don't allow staff to carry smartphones."

Google is aware of this. "In places where cell phone cameras aren't allowed, the same rules will apply to Glass."

Google has yet to confirm a release date for Glass, but the technology is already being trialed by a variety of industries including airlines, hospitals and police forces.

Having tried the latest version of Glass, we can see the potential of the device. The ability to take photos and video as well as bring up information from the internet via the head-mounted display make Glass a powerful tool. Despite Glass still being in the beta phase, its real-world applications are there for all to see and we take a look at 10 scenarios where it will be a good fit.

Where else will Google Glass be used?

Extreme sports

Language translation

Navigation

Accessibility/help for people with disabilities

Training, repair and inspection

Police and military

Porn

1. Healthcare

Glass can make a huge difference in hospitals to increase the efficiency of staff and accuracy of treatment given to patients.

The camera will play a pivotal role - allowing nurses or doctors to scan barcodes and NFC tags to identify patients, bring up medical records and verify the correct medication and dosage is being applied. Below we can see how SAP envisages Glass could be used in combination with its HANA technology.

Surgeons have already used Glass during operations. Sharing videos via Hangouts allows them to impart knowledge to students and seek real-time assistance from specialists who may be halfway across the world.

During operations, the HUD can also provide important images to surgeons, meaning that they don't have move away from the patient. On the compliance side, recording the surgery can be used to find out why something went wrong during the the procedure, and help settle any complaints.

2. Airports

This week, Virgin Atlantic commenced a six-week trial of Google Glass at Heathrow airport. The airline announced Glass will be used by concierge staff at the Upper Class wing, with the aim of providing a more personalised customer service.

Glass will be used to process check-ins and provide passengers with information about their flight, as well as details of the weather and suggested activities at their destination. It can also aid translation queries.

Virgin will consider a wide-scale deployment and will work on improving functionality if it deems the trial successful. Other potential applications include the ability to provide staff with details of passenger's dietary requirements.

3. Augmented Reality

Glass can superimpose information over real-world happenings, which will allow the tourism and leisure industry to enhance and support the customer experience.

City and museum tours can be brought to life by overlaying historicals buildings and artwork with key facts or audio descriptions. Users will also be able to take pictures and video and email the files to themselves so they can capture memories hands-free.

If Glass ends up being mainstream, as Google hopes, then a few years from now we will be living in an augmented reality world. Simple tasks like food and clothes shopping will be revamped. Apps could be developed allowing Glass to highlight the health benefits of foods and any promotions. Retail assistants will be able help customers with their queries on the shop-floor by providing information on products and checking stock levels.

Even the construction, retail and real estate agencies will benefit from augmented reality. When designing buildings, bridges and vehicles, the architects, builders and engineers will be able to pop on Glass and see what the finished article should look like, instead of relying on 2D blueprints or pictures.

Similarly, those selling or letting houses will be able to provide real-world tours without having to get clients to visits all properties. This could save the buyers/renters time as they would only need to visit houses in the real world they like the look of in the virtual world.

4. Extreme sports

Google carried out a comprehensive demonstration of Glass at its I/O Developer Conference on 27 June 2012. This blockbuster demo showcased Glass' suitability for use in extreme sports such as skydiving, biking and abseiling.

Although Glass' ability to capture and share photos and video can be replicated by products such as Gopro camera, the Google device can share video in real-time via Google's Hangout feature.

Where else will Google Glass be used?

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Healthcare

Airports

Augmented reality

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Training, repair and inspection

Police and military

Porn

5. Real-time language translation

When IT Pro tried Glass, one of the most impressive features was the ability to translate languages in real-time.

We simply had to get the text we wanted in the target area, Glass zoomed in and translated it immediately.

This will be a big area for Glass - and the logical step would be to create an app which can translate voices in real-time.

6. Navigation

Getting directions through Glass is easy with users having to say "Ok Glass, get me directions to [location]". The route is then displayed in front of your face, making it easy to follow.

Concerns have been raised about how distracting this will be for people operating vehicles. The Department of Transport in the UK will apparently issue a driving ban on Glass when it is released - so you are likely to be limited to using this feature when walking.

In California, a woman named Cecilia Abadie was pulled over and given a ticket for speeding and wearing Glass while driving in October 2013.

However, a San Diego court found no proof the device was operating at the time, and the case against her was dropped. This is unlikely to be the last court case involving Glass.

7. Assistance for the disabled

Glass is not for everyone, but it has the potential to make life-changing difference for those with disabilities. Law student Alex Blaszczuk was paralysed from the waist-down after a car crash in 2011 and was chosen to be part of Google's Explorer programme. Using Glass has enabled Blaszczuk to gain back some of the confidence and independence lost after her accident.

During a camping trip with friends, Blaszczuk took on the role of navigator, photographer, camerawoman and was the source of information - all through Glass.

Glass is also being used to help those who are blind, deaf and suffer with difficulties relating to sensory awareness.

The Smartsign app is designed to enhance communication between parents and their deaf children. It can be difficult for parents to keep up with children who may be learning sign language at a rapid pace and this can disrupt communication. The app allows parents to look up words using the HUD so they can communicate effectively, instead of having to consult a nearby book or computer.

Glass' to interact with the environment will prove valuable to people with partial sight or who are completely blind. Glass can be navigated through voice and touch and has the potential to be the eyes' for people. At a basic level it will be able to tell users about the weather, appointments they have and allow them to read or send messages. Advanced apps could be created so Glass could tell a user what currency and denomination they are holding in their hand and whether there are any obstacles in their path.

A facial recognition app could also be built into Glass, helping to those with conditions such as Agnosia to make sense of facial expressions.

8. Training, repair and inspection

Industries that require employees to manufacturer and repair products would be wise to investigate the benefits of Glass. Workers will be able to look up how products are assembled or ask for help in real-time if they are unsure what to do in the field.

Where else will Google Glass be used?

Page 1

Healthcare

Airports

Augmented reality

Page 2

Extreme sports

Language translation

Navigation

Accessibility/help for people with disabilities

Assessors will also be able to monitor progress of pupils in real-time via Hangouts or by reviewing a recording.

9. Police and military

With complaints about the behaviour of police forces and military personnel on the rise, Glass can be used to record activities in the field as it provides a point-of-view perspective and doesn't obstruct activity.

The NYPD obtained two pairs of Glass in December 2013, and is determining field applications.

After the controversial shooting of Mark Duggan in the UK, firearms officers will be required to wear video cameras in the future - and Glass could be a good fit.

10. Porn

Whether Google likes it or not the adult entertainment industry is going to be using Glass to film explicit material from a point-of-view perspective (POV).

The web giant has already banned porn related apps from Glass after a Seattle-based startup called MiKandi created a "Tits and Glass" app.

Google rapidly changed its terms of use policy to bar this app: "We don't allow Glassware content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts or sexually explicit material," the firm said.

Although apps may be banned, Google won't be able to stop users from photographing or recording explicit content with the video camera on Glass and then sharing it via email or through its Hangouts app.

A Google Glass user has warned others not to wear the devices in public, after being hauled out of a US cinema by law enforcers who claimed he was using the device to illegally record a movie.

The unnamed Google Glass user visited a cinema with his wife in Columbus, Ohio, while wearing the device. He was then asked to step outside an hour into a showing of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit by a law enforcement officer.

He was accused of using the device to illegally record the film, but maintains he did not have Glass switched on in the cinema.

"Because I don't want Glass to distract me during the movie, I turn them off (but since my prescription lenses are on the frame, I still wear them," he told tech blog The Gadgeteer.

The accused said he was held for several hours by representatives from the US Department of Homeland Security before being released without charge.

"I kept telling them I wasn't recording anything my Glass was off, [but] they insisted they saw it on," he wrote.

Despite repeated attempts by the unnamed man to get the attending officers to check the device themselves, he claims they only did this after questioning him.

"Eventually, after a long time somebody came with a laptop and a USB cable at which point he told me it was my last chance to come clean. I repeated for the hundredth time there is nothing to come clean about and this is a big misunderstanding," he said.

"So the...guy finally connected my Glass to the computer, downloaded all my personal photos and started going through them one by one.

"Then they went through my phone, and five minutes later they concluded I had done nothing wrong," he added.

When he complained, a representative from the Movie Association blamed the high rates of piracy at the theatre he visited and gave him two free passes to see the film again.

"Considering it was 11.27pm when this happened, and the movie started at 7.45, I guess the three and a half hours of my time and the scare my wife went through is worth about 30 bucks in the eyes of the Movie Association and the federal militia," he wrote.

"I guess until people get more familiar with Google Glass and understand what they are, one should not wear them to the movies."

In a statement to US newspaper the Columbus Dispatch, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the incident.

"On Jan. 18, special agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations and local authorities briefly interviewed a man suspected of using an electronic recording device to record a film at an AMC Theatre in Columbus," the statement reads.

"The man, who voluntarily answered questions, confirmed to authorities that the suspected recording devices was also a pair of prescription eye glasses in which the recording function had been inactive. No further action was taken."

This isn't the first time wearing Google Glass has landed someone in hot water, as there have been numerous reports of a similar nature in recent months.

For example, a restaurant in Seattle banned the device because of concerns about its recording capabilities, while the UK Department for Transport reportedly has too because of fears it might distract people when they're behind the wheel.

New York-based eyewear start-up Rochester Optical has become the first company to announce pricing for Google Glass prescription lenses.

According to Slash Gear, Rochester Optical's solution fixes onto the device, rather than requiring it to be dismantled and attached to a new headpiece, with pricing expected to start from $99.

The announcement was made by Tim Moore, Rochester Optical's marketing strategist and founder of Venture Glass, on Google's Explorer-only Glass community.

According to the company, more details about how its prescription lenses will work will be released following CES 2014, which takes place next week.

Moore said Explorers would be able to pre-order their prescription lenses shortly afterwards.

Google's head-mounted minicomputer typically comes with a clear plastic "shield", which clips onto the nosepiece.

How Rochester's prescription lenses will be combined with Google Glass is currently unclear, but it is expected they will have some kind of frame available in a range of colours, both matching and in addition to the five colours Glass is currently available in.

IT Pro spoke to Moore about Slash Gear's claims, but he was unable to confirm any details beyond the mid-January availability of the device at this time for confidentiality reasons.

The company's announcement comes a little under a month since photos of Google's own prescription Glass solution were reportedly leaked online.

According to Phandroid, Brian Matiash, the community manager of Google+ Photos, published three photos showing Glass on traditional glasses. However, IT Pro has been unable to independently verify this claim as the original post has since been removed.

Dell isn't planning on rushing into the wearable technology market in 2014, with the firm questioning the productivity benefits of forthcoming companion devices.

"We're not absolutely convinced that you need to have a wristwatch with notifications popping up or that people need to start wearing glasses," Sam Burd, vice president and general manager of Dell's PC group told IT Pro.

"Wearable technology starts getting appealing if it's the primary device users can interact with. We're looking at things in the space, but we don't think it will displace PCs in the next year or that that it's a must-have for everyone."

Despite the PC market experiencing shrinking sales, Burd said that Dell's business customers continue to ask for big screen devices such as All-in-Ones or 15in laptops.

"There's a lot being written about the death of the desktop but a lot of PCs are being sold. We continue to do things around form factor - from AiOs to small form factor designs. There's still good innovation happening in the laptop market with really thin and compact designs," he continued.

"There are instances where smaller 2-in-1s and tablets make sense [but] business users want big screen devices for productivity purposes."

Asked about his vision of the future, Burd said it could be possible that users will not have to carry around devices.

"Imagine a world where you're not having to carry around a device around - there's [display] glass connected to infrastructure and it serves up content from secure data centres around the world. We could be sitting here with devices that are not ours, but which recognise us through our voice or facial recognition.

"We see the world moving that way, that's why we invested in Wyse - around thin client, things like VRTX infrastructure capability and our software and services. Is it three years, five years, 10 years? It always takes a little bit longer than you think."

OPINION: What do you get if you cross tech researchers, ladies' underwear and the internet?

A great deal of overexcitement at least that's what Microsoft found out recently after designs for a "smart bra" some of its researchers had worked on were published earlier this month.

Microsoft Research, the department of the Redmond giant whose mandate is to "push the boundaries of computing," collaborated with the University of Rochester, New York, and the University of Southampton, UK, on a project to help reduce emotional eating in women.

The purpose of the research, which can be read in full here, was to come up with a way of detecting mood changes through wearable technology and use an app to help users react to and manage these mood changes in a way that didn't involve eating.

The researchers settled on a bra as they needed "a form factor that would be comfortable when worn for long durations ... [and] a way to gather both [ECG] and EDA (electrodermal activity) signals."

Well, if there are two things the internet loves, it's kittens and boobs and the "smart bra" certainly caught the imagination so much so that Microsoft has been forced to issue a denial that it is actually developing such a device.

"The bra sensing system is just one instance of a class of work from a group of Microsoft researchers who are focused on the broader topic of affective computing, or designing devices and services that are sensitive to people's moods and react accordingly," the company told NPR.

"While we will continue our research in affective computing, Microsoft has no plans to develop a bra with sensors."

So no diet-control bras from Redmond just now (the research paper indicates those involved were looking at moving to bracelets anyway, so men could participate too), but that doesn't mean an end to affective computing, also known as the quantified self movement.

Jawbone

Fitbit

Within the enterprise, there are devices like Google Glass, which I have seen used as a wearable teleprompter (a proxiprompter, perhaps?) during a presentation, and wrist-mounted screens like Samsung's Galaxy Gear.

It's fair to say we are just on the cusp of the wearable computing revolution and, as with cloud, it seems to be something that is starting in the consumer world but will be leaking into the business world. It's not hard to imagine productivity monitors, devices to ensure that we sedentary workers get enough screen breaks, health and safety-focused wearables, or devices that could lead to improved training targeting.

Who knows what the future holds? The only thing we can know for sure is there will be no computerised bras. At least, not just yet.

A restaurant in Seattle has thrown out a customer for refusing to remove their Google Glass headset and has now formally banning the device on its premises.

Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge said it asked a customer to leave after they refused to stop using the controversial wearable technology.

In a formal statement issued on its Facebook page, the restaurant said: "We kindly ask our customers to refrain from wearing and operating Google Glasses inside Lost Lake. We also ask that you not videotape anyone using any other sort of technology.

"If you do wear your Google Glasses inside, or film or photograph people without their permission, you will be asked to stop, or leave. And if we ask you to leave, for God's sake, don't start yelling about your rights'. Just shut up and get out before you make things worse."

While come patrons said they will now boycott the cafe, the majority have come out in support of the move.

In March, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge's sister cafe, The 5 Point Cafe, pre-emptively banned Google Glass. In October it added that Microsoft's rival device, which has not yet entered production, was also banned.

Several other venues also prohibit the use of Google Glass, includingthe MGM Resort and Sapphire Gentlemen's Club, both in Las Vegas, and a number of cinema chains, including Vue and AMC theatres, according to NBC.

Two US jurisdictions, West Virginia and California, have also banned the wearing of Google Glass while driving, with a woman in San Diego receiving the dubious honour of becoming the first person to receive a fine for violating this law.

On this side of the pond, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) warned in June that Google's augmented reality device must be built with privacy in mind.

As another busy week in the tech world draws to a close, we take a look at the stories that have got IT Pro readers' goats this week.

This week readers taking umbrage about Steve Wozniak's tech vendor collaboration vision, Google Glass driving fines and the ongoing demise of the PC market.

Woz wants tech collaboration

Steve Wozniak's plea for Apple, Samsung and Google to put their differences (and patent disputes) aside in the name of tech innovation has been interpreted by IT Pro readers as an admission that Apple's products are below par. Yeah, alright...

Rumin8 was one of the many readers to level this accusation at the Apple co-founder, before complaining that this type of collaboration could result in the tech industry becoming an even bigger monopoly than it is now.

"Perhaps Woz' is just trying to excuse his guilt at having an Android phone and finding it better than an Apple device," Rumin8 sniped.

"How dare Google and Samsung produce something good when they are not Apple? [You can] solve that problem by making them co-operate with Apple so it can claim the glory."

This was a view echoed by the owner of this week's most cumbersome pseudonym, Only Yourselves To Blame (OYTB).

"What Wozniak meant to say was, Apple is useless and cannot come up with any ideas of its own. So can we refine someone else's ideas please?' Well, considering dear old Woz hasn't had anything directly to do with Apple for some time now, IT Pro is not wholly convinced by this argument. Soz, OYTB.

Google Glass driving fines

This week also, reportedly, saw the first motorist in the world receive a fine for driving along in their automobile while wearing Google Glass.

It's fair to say the IT Pro readership wasn't particularly sympathetic to the driver in this case, although it did inspire an interesting debate about the range of devices that could be considered a distraction for driver.

For example, David wanted to know where the law lies if you use Google Glass as a Sat Nav.

"Surely that is safer than looking down at a mounted display while driving. Having a heads up display has got to be safer," he wailed.

The sensibly named CommonSenseRules responded to this by declaring Sat Navs to be a "very minor distraction" for drivers.

"Sat Navs provide useful information for drivers and arguably aid road safety by giving the driver one less thing to worry about. Listening to spoken directions is not really a distraction and glancing at the screen is a very minor distraction," he calmly stated.

"Following a Sat Nav while driving is OK, but programming a Sat Nav is bad. Watching the latest blockbuster on DVD while driving is always bad." Thanks for the tip.

Meanwhile, Henry3Dogg picked holes in the driver's assertion that Google Glass was switched off while they were driving.

"If I'm pulled up for drinking beer from a bottle while driving and claim that I wasn't drinking because the bottle was empty already, what level of credibility would that have? It's implausible," he fumed.

Tablets and toilets

The continued decline of the PC market in Western Europe (not to mention the rest of the world) was flagged once more this week by Gartner, with the market watcher declaring the UK as the worst performing country in the region.

For reasons unknown, this prompted an assertion from IT Pro reader Harry Edwards that tablet users buy the devices so they've got something to keep them amused while on the loo.

"The reason shipments have decreased is because people don't buy physical copies of games anymore, because it's all digital," declared Edwards.

"Also people are not buying tablets over PCs. People only buy tablets to use on the toilet."

This wasn't a view shared by Smell The Coffee, who said a quick look around your average early morning train carriage should leave people in no doubt about who is buying tablets.

"Tablets on the toilet? Take a look at the morning commute on most public transport and you'll see lots of people watching or listening to things via a tablet," they said.

"Manufacturers should just wake up and realise people just don't want great big hunks of PC in their homes when smaller devices do everything that's needed." And if they can do those things while the user is on the toilet, all the better.

Google has been awarded a patent that will allow the company to charge advertisers if a user looks at an advert using a technology called "pay per gaze".

The filing does not specifically mention Google Glass, the search giant's wearable technology that is currently undergoing developer-only testing, but the description of the device the technology would be used with is very similar to Glass.

"The head mounted gaze tracking device comprises eyeglasses including side-arms that engage ears of the user, a nose bridge that engages a nose of the user, and lenses through which the user views the external scenes ... with at least one forward facing scene camera disposed on the eyeglasses," the filing states.

The patent also allows the technology to generate "latent search results" based on "at least a portion of the items views by the user" including items that are in the user's peripheral vision.

Search requests can then be cached for later use automatically without the user's active permission.

Furthermore, the technology not only tracks pupil movement, but also pupil dilation, which is a commonly acknowledged involuntary reaction to interest in a subject of attention or sexual arousal, as well as light conditions.

The patent suggests companies could be charged for offline advertisements in the same way as online advertisements for Glass, i.e. if the user looks directly at the ad and how long for. It is also suggested more could be charged for analytical data collected by the device.

Google has previously been criticised for its attitude to privacy with regard to Glass, particularly by the Information Commissioner's Office.

Security researchers have uncovered a Google Glass vulnerability that could allow hackers to remotely control the device.

Hackers could gain access to a user's data simply by taking advantage of a feature in Google Glass that scans pictures the devices takes for QR codes.

Researchers from security firm Lookout created a QR code to demonstrate the flaw.

"We analysed how to make QR codes based on configuration instructions and produced our own 'malicious' QR codes," said Lookout Mobile Security principal security researcher Marc Rogers in a blog post.

"When photographed by an unsuspecting Glass user, the code forced Glass to connect silently to a 'hostile' WiFi access point that we controlled. That access point in turn allowed us to spy on the connections Glass made, from web requests to images uploaded to the cloud."

He said the flaw could also make Google Glass divert to a webpage on the Wi-Fi hotspot that contained a known Android 4.0.4 web vulnerability that hacked the device as it browsed the page.

Rogers said his firm disclosed the vulnerability to Google in May and the search giant fixed the vulnerability in version XE6 of the device's firmware in June. Glass will now only scan QR codes when a user asks it to.

The responsive turnaround by Google "indicates the depth of Google's commitment to privacy and security for this device and set a benchmark for how connected things should be secured going forward," he added.

In a statement by Google, the firm said that it wanted to put "Glass into the hands of all sorts of people, listen to their feedback, see the inspirational ways they use the technology, and discover vulnerabilities that we can research and work to address before we launch Glass more broadly."

Google must ensure its augmented reality glasses are built with user privacy in mind to avoid incurring the wrath of the Information Commissioner's Office.

The search giant has been testing its Google Glass, which will allow users to take hands-free recordings and pictures, for some time now.

Pressure has been growing on Google in recent days to release details about how the wearable technology product's features will square with compliance and data protection laws.

Earlier this week, several members of the Article 29 Working Party wrote to Google CEO Larry Page seeking further clarification on this matter, citing fears that individuals could be subjected to "ubiquitous surveillance" by the technology's users.

As well as the Article 29 Working Party, which represents the interests of EU data protection authorities, the letter was also signed by the Canadian and Australian privacy commissioners.

"You may recall, data protection authorities have long emphasised the need for organisations to build privacy into the development of products and services before they are launched," the letter states.

"Many of us have also encouraged organisations to consult in a meaningful way with our respective offices."

During an event in central London today, to announce the launch of the ICO's Annual Report, the Commissioner Christopher Graham raised doubts about the feasibility of getting products like Google Glass vetted pre-launch.

"I don't think you should have to get sign off from the ICO's office as a data controller to introduce a new product," he said.

"I think you should simple have to take responsibility to abide by the law and it's at your own risk [if you get it wrong]."

Few data protection bodies will have the resources available to do this, he reasoned, and companies should be taking a privacy-first approach to new products.

"We do not want another Street View, we do not want another Google privacy policy [with Google Glass]," he said.

"Can we be assured that [they're working to the] principle...[of]privacy by design and that's the risk."

In a statement to IT Pro, a Google representative said user input will play an important role in the development of Google Glass.

"We are thinking very carefully about how we design Glass because new technology always raises new issues," the statement read.

"Our Glass Explorer program, which reaches people from all walks of life, will ensure that our users become active participants in shaping the future of this technology."

Welcome to the IT Pro news roundup for w/c 28 May.

On Tuesday, the EU demanded more antitrust consessions from Google, while the Transporter appliance landed in the UK to challence Dropbox.

On Wednesday, Google Glass was slammed as distracting and dangerous, while Anonymous declared war on the English Defence League.

On Thursday, content management system Drupal was hacked and Square Enix tapped into MongoDB to solve its big data problems.

On Friday, a security flaw in Ruby on Rails was still being exploited by hackers, and the internet's 'big five' said no to Theresa May's Snooper's Charter.

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