Apple Glass patent shows how it could avoid Google Glass fail

Apple Glasses render
(Image credit: Martin Hajek/iDropNews)

Update: A more recent Apple patent seemingly shows how the Apple Glasses could tackle privacy from an iPhone user's perspective. 

One of the many problems with Google Glass was a fear of privacy violations. When somebody films you with their phone, it’s pretty obvious that you’re on camera, and you can move away, cover your face or ask the person to stop filming. With Google Glass, the only clue that footage was being taken was a small light on the camera.

For Apple Glass, the iPhone maker’s upcoming smart glasses, Apple seems to have taken heed of the controversy. A new patent, spotted by Patently Apple, explores a number of ways in which recording can be made obvious to bystanders who would prefer not to be caught on camera.

One option explored by Apple is making the camera module removable. Not only would the absence of a camera module make it clear that the wearer wasn’t capable of filming, but it would also make the frames lighter for those not interested in documenting their daily life. 

As Apple notes, this would get around the issue Google Glass Explorers found when they were banned from movie theatres. “The modular accessory would also make it possible for venues such as bars and theaters to ban the modular accessory while still allowing the HMD frame (without the accessory) into the venues,” the patent reads. 

But what about when the camera module is in place? Like Google, Apple imagines using lights to show when the device is recording, but unlike the original smart glasses, trying to get around this could ensure that the camera simply doesn’t work.

The patent describes how the lights on the camera could pulse in an encrypted pattern, with the lens capturing reflections in the recorded environment. If the camera can’t detect the pattern, recording could be disabled according to the patent. “If the encrypted pattern cannot be detected (e.g., because the user has blocked or disabled the LEDs), the controller may disable recording of video captured by the camera,” the patent explains.

Combining the two options, Apple suggests another alternative where the camera is always embedded, but disabled unless a modular key is attached to the frames. This would be obvious enough that its presence would alert others to the possibility that they’re being filmed. “In both cases, the presence of the modular attachment would indicate to persons in the environment that they may be being recorded,” the patent explains.

Patents aren’t always indicative of technology that ever makes it into a product, of course, but it’s unsurprising that Apple is thinking about this kind of thing, given the big focus on privacy it has had in recent years.

Apple Glass is widely tipped to be a thing at some point in the future, but the question of when divides the usual tipsters. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says we won’t see the product until 2022 “at the earliest”, and this seems to back up a report in The Information which suggests a 2023 release date. 

Jon Prosser, meanwhile, predicted last year that the wearable would arrive any day now, tipping a launch of “March-June 2021.” With just a few days left for this prediction to come true, it seems pretty unlikely, but that doesn’t mean that a reveal in the second half of the year is impossible. Time will tell. 

TOPICS
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Read more
Apple Glass AR Glasses Release date, price, features and leaks
Apple Glasses: all the rumors so far
Apple Glasses render
Apple Glasses launch details revealed in new report — here's when they could arrive
Apple Glasses render
Apple AR glasses tipped to use custom visionOS — here’s when it could launch
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses next to AirPods Pro 2
New report says Apple is working on Meta-style smart glasses and AirPods with cameras
AirPods Pro 2
Apple reportedly working on AirPods with cameras — here’s what they could do
Google's Project Astra working on prototype smartglasses in an advertisement
Google just acquired this eye tracking company — hinting at the return of Google glasses
Latest in VR & AR
Samsung's Project Moohan with Android XR at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
New Samsung XR headset report tips mass production for April — but I'm worried about the price
Samsung's Project Moohan with Android XR at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
Samsung’s new XR headset just tipped for a big advantage over the Apple Vision Pro
Samsung's Project Moohan with Android XR at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
Samsung’s bringing its Project Moohan headset to MWC 2025 — what we know
Project Cambria VR headset teaser
Valve VR headset just tipped to launch by end of this year — and this could be the price
Apple Vision Pro on table
Apple Vision Pro is getting a big Apple Intelligence upgrade with visionOS 2.4 — here's all the new features
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Vision Pro major upgrade tipped with visionOS 2.4 — here's all the new features
Latest in News
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Ultra just tipped to replace Pro Max in new leak — with these key upgrades
RCS messaging on an iPhone
Forget green bubbles — iPhones will soon get encrypted RCS messaging to Androids
CAD renderings of the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Latest Google Pixel 10 leak could make you want to skip it altogether
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 — analysts say it will be massive hit even with price hike
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso season 3
‘Ted Lasso’ season 4 is official — here’s what Jason Sudeikis revealed
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 shipments rumor hints at possible release window