Google issues tips on how not to be a Glasshole

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."