Over the last few years, controversy arise over police body cameras. But how would you like your own body camera? So Google could make it happen. However, how would you use it? Google Clips: Memory maker or big brother tool?
Google Clips is a camera you can wear at any time. In fact, I don’t want to encourage anybody, but you can wear it all the time. Not only that, but you can clip it on objects. I saw one video where a family clipped it to a bag of flour! Think about that. Yes, you can transfer the footage to any computer or smartphone. It uses ‘motion photos’, a tactic Apple Live Photos use.
But it has no audio, at least not yet. It doesn’t have network connection, either. That means it doesn’t just broadcast everything out in the open. They use a computer servicing tactic called machine learning. They use machine learning so Google Clips can focus on what the footage the computer wants. Furthermore, it contains 16GB of storage. It also has a 130-degree field view and can use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. To prevent this camera’s glass from breaking, it has Gorilla Glass 3. It can shoot up to 15 frames per second. Google Clips will cost on average $249. It will come out at a later date.
I saw some ads for this. They spin it as a way to capture precious memories with family and friends. Use it for those holiday moments with family. Or use it for birthday parties or nights out with friends. So you can relive these precious moments for life. Maybe this is why Google made Google Clips. But there is the cynic in me that knows the dark side of IT support and human nature. I fear people will use this camera to capture less heartwarming aspects of humanity: blackmail, corruption, bribery, sexual misbehavior, invasion of privacy. I don’t even want to say it aloud because it might encourage somebody. This is what worries me about Clips. Will it be used for making memories or will it be used for a big brother tool?