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IF YOU REALLY can’t keep your hands off your phone for a couple of hours while watching a film, Google Glass could come in pretty handy in the cinema.
Being able to flick through social media and the web using a tiny unintrusive screen in front of your eye isn’t going to bother other movie-goers.
However, cinema associations in the United States have moved to ban Google Glass from theaters over fears of piracy, as the device has a built-in camera and can record video.
Earlier this year a man was questioned by Homeland Security over his use of the device in a cinema.
The same ban was also introduced in the United Kingdom when the device was released there, with guests being asked to remove them ‘as soon as the lights dim’.
Now some Irish cinemas will follow suit, ahead of the device’s release here.
The largest chain in Ireland, Omniplex, said that the devices would not be tolerated, as they fall under current rules on recording equipment.
“All video recording devices are subject to our normal house rules, which forbids their use within our cinemas,” Chairman Paul Anderson said.
“These rules relate to all devices that have a video recording function such as traditional video cameras, mobile phones or Google Glass.
Anyone found using any such devices to record video in our cinemas will immediately be ejected and as it is a criminal offence the police will be called.
However, just how much of a film could be recorded remains questionable.
According to this Quora thread, the battery generally lasts for between 30 to 45 minutes while recording video.
If you manage to get an hour of it, you reportedly run the risk of the unit overheating.
The Department of Transport said last year it feared using Google Glass while driving could ‘impact on safety’.
It will discuss with other key stakeholders to gauge whether a ban should be introduced.
“The Department is concerned that the use of this technology in its current form would distract motorists and therefore could represent a safety hazard,” a spokesperson said.
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Call me old fashioned but I go to the cinema to watch the movie not browse the net.
Everytime I see someone wearing these and they’re not an emergency worker, one word comes into my mind. Idiot!
@Larry… You…. or them…?
I wonder how do American taxpayers feel about the homeland security budget is apparently being spent stopping people ‘stealing’ 30-45mins of Scary Movie 5…
Saw two people wandering around the web summit wearing them, which is exactly where you’d expect to see them, the girl likes really uncomfortable with all the people looking back at her.
* looked, not likes
Google glasses, and Dept of transport said they are looking into it! Knew they were on social media all the time.
How many pairs of google glasses have been sold in this country?
This really is a not an issue.
117,000 so far . I have two pairs . Never leave the house without them
I said in this county…
Oh sorry, That figure is only for Cork
I wouldn’t be bothered trying to record the absolute rubbish in cinemas lately.
Good
What’s stoping a person not having them on going into the cinema then putting them on once there inside ? ..and it’s not for the reason of browsing the net I presume it’s more so to stop from recording the film ..
ushers actively watch for filming equipment. these would be conspicuous enough
nightvision gear an all that
“Earlier this year a man was questioned by Homeland Security ”
because he was in a cinema wearing google glass……………………welcome to the land of the free
If the battery only lasts 30mins, then they just have to go three times and record it in batches, then edit them together. If they want to record for themselves, or to sell, then they’ll do whatever they can.
Plus, why NOT ban them? I see no good argument for not banning the use in the cinema. You go to a film, pay entry, have the huge screen in front of you…. And browse the internet instead? Really?
have your say