As people debate the potential merits and consequences of a device like Google Glass gaining widespread use, others want to know the answer to a much simpler question: When is the release date?
For the last couple of months, it's been expected that Google Glass would be releasing some time at the end of this year, but a new interview with Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt casts some serious doubt on that claim.
Speaking to BBC News (via CNET), Schmidt says that the Google Glass release date isn't likely to hit until a year from now.
"It's fair to say that thousands of these will be in use by developers over the next months, and then based on their feedback we will make some product changes, and it's probably a year-ish away," he said.
As for the price, CNET notes that Google CEO Larry Page addressed the issue during the company's earnings call last week. He didn't come out and say the rumored $1,500 price was wrong, but he did confirm the device would be expensive.
"The price tag was set for developers for early test. We don't have news to announce there. I'm not sure I would call it a luxury price, but it's a pretty high price," said Page.
Back to the BBC interview, though, where Schmidt also talked about some of the privacy concerns raised about Google Glass. The device's ability to record video and snap photos anytime, anywhere is something that's concerned a number of people, and Schmidt acknowledged that there are some issues that need to be sorted out.
"The fact of the matter is we'll have to develop some new social etiquette," he said. "It's obviously not appropriate to wear these glasses in situations where recording is not correct, and indeed you have this problem already with phones.
"Companies like Google have a very important responsibility to keep your information safe. You have responsibility as well to understand what you are doing and how you are doing it and obey appropriately and also keep everything up to date."
Google Glass has already been banned in strip clubs and a local Seattle bar.
