Google Sets The Record Straight With The Top 10 Glass Myths Busted

As soon as Google announced its Glass digital eyewear, the world went nuts with speculation; pros and cons simply flooded the Web. Since then, a lot of people have been left without a solid conclusion, no doubt thanks to the number of walls Glass has hit. We've learned of bars that have banned the device from being worn, and Google even once famously refused to allow people to wear it at a shareholder meeting.

It's no surprise, then, that Google's been less-than-enthusiastic about all of this uncertainty its prospective users have, or the way they've been mislead. So, the company's taken to Google+ to clear up 10 myths, and even if you think you might know everything there is to know about Glass, you may still learn something.

The most prevalent concern I've seen about Glass is that it threatens our privacy with its ability to record video - or more accurately, record video in a much more discrete manner than holding a smartphone up. Google tries to debunk this with the fact that Glass only records 10 seconds of video by default. It admits that longer periods can be recorded, but after 45 minutes, the device would need to be recharged.

That tackles the layman simply recording other people for kicks; Google further goes on to state that if surveillance is your concern, "there are much, much better cameras out there than one you wear conspicuously on your face" - fair enough. Similarly, face-recognition has been another concern, but Google says it has the power to restrict certain apps it doesn't agree with on its MyGlass store, and this is one example that seems pre-banned. I guess that would include NameTag?

Much like someone who would rather sit inside on a computer rather than be out there in the real world, Google tackles the myth that Glass is the ultimate distraction. It says that Glass was designed to work while you are looking straight ahead, which is something hard to disagree with, I suppose. In some regards, it actually looks sillier to see so many people looking down at their phones all of the time - that really does seem like more of a distraction than Glass.

Google also wants to quell those fears that Glass is banned "everywhere", saying that after cell phones hit the market, a certain etiquette was established - it expects the same to happen with Glass. The company also hits out at those who might be thinking about banning Glass, as it can be attached to prescription glasses. "Requiring Glass to be turned off is probably a lot safer than insisting people stumble about blindly".

The full list of myths Google has tackled:

• Myth 1 - Glass is the ultimate distraction from the real world
• Myth 2 - Glass is always on and recording everything
• Myth 3 - Glass Explorers are technology-worshipping geeks
• Myth 4 - Glass is ready for prime time
• Myth 5 - Glass does facial recognition (and other dodgy things)
• Myth 6 - Glass covers your eye(s)
• Myth 7 - Glass is the perfect surveillance device
• Myth 8 - Glass is only for those privileged enough to afford it
• Myth 9 - Glass is banned... EVERYWHERE
• Myth 10 - Glass marks the end of privacy

Will Google's post actually help improve Glass' image? It's hard to say. With so many competitors popping-up lately though, it's certainly not going to only be Google in the hotseat for much longer.