海角大神

听Google Glass guidelines for software developers were released this week, and the first prototype glasses have been shipping to developers and 鈥淕lass Explorers鈥� in batches as they are produced. Those receiving early-access Glass have paid $1,500 for the privilege of field testing.

Along with the shipment, which some users can expect this week, the company released tech specs, and Google's device guidelines.

The guidelines鈥� terms of use don鈥檛 allow developers to place advertisements in the display of the device. They don鈥檛 allow developers to track information about the client for advertising purposes, or transmit the data to third-party advertisers (that doesn鈥檛 stop them from tracking the data, though).

Google also commands that apps, known as 鈥淕lassware,鈥� to be free of charge. According to the New York Times, most developers expect these restrictions to be removed in time.听

Glassware will be cloud-based, meaning the apps don鈥檛 live directly on the device, which will have 鈥�12 GB of usable memory, synced with Google cloud storage,鈥� according to the tech specs.

As Google鈥檚 business model evolves into hardware, rumors of brick-and-mortar Google stores solidify. They already have kiosks in Best Buys to educate consumers about Google鈥檚 Chromebook, Nexus tablets, and maybe Glass. Having their own store may help the company compete on the same level as Apple and Microsoft.

Many people see the potential for Glass to invade privacy, or to affect social mores. Mashable.com, envisioning a future where everyone used Google Glass, asked questions about the social and health effects of such a device.

These questions have some people on edge. As The Monitor reported before, the group 鈥淪top the Cyborgs鈥� opposes the potential loss of privacy, and the power of big data to pry into consumers鈥� lives.

For now though, a select few are living on the cutting edge of technology.