Google forbids resell or loan of Google Glass
Want Google Glass? You better be committed because the search giant has forbidden the resale, loan, transfer or gifting of its highly-anticipated device.
Google Glass is augmented reality eyewear that uses voice recognition to take commands and display information. Some examples of how the glasses can be used include turn-by-turn navigation, taking photos and translating languages on the spot.
Google is expected to ship out its augmented reality eyewear to a group of developers this week. The winners of Google's "If I had Glass" contest get a chance to be the first to use and develop software for Google Glass Explorer edition. But access does not come cheap -- the glasses cost about $1,500.
According to CNET, Google released its terms of service on Tuesday with documentation for its application programming interface (API). An API is like a set of tools that lets third-party developers write custom programs for a service or device.
The search giant appears to keeping a tight grip on the futuristic glasses. Developers who buy the first round of glasses must be willing to commit to Google's terms of service, which states:
"Unless otherwise authorized by Google, you may only purchase one Device, and you may not resell, loan, transfer, or give your Device to any other person. If you resell, loan, transfer, or give your device to any other person without Google's authorization, Google reserves the right to deactivate the Device, and neither you nor the unauthorized person using the Device will be entitled to any refund, product support, or product warranty."
It's not clear why Google has decided to keep Glass on a short leash, but Wired speculates that a recent eBay auction may have been a concern for the search giant. One of the developers selected to purchase Glass recently put the device on eBay, with bids as high as $90,000, according to the tech magazine.
- Confirmed: Google Glass arrives in 2013, and under $1,500
- Google picks 8,000 winners of "Glass" contest
- Google Glass to be made in U.S. by Foxconn, report says
It wouldn't be the first time a Google beta release made an appearance on eBay. When the search giant selected early adopters to test out Gmail in 2004, users were allowed to invite two friends to join. Invitations to the service quickly appeared on eBay for as much as $150.
There are no details on whether or not these terms are only in place for the Explorer edition or if the search giant will update the terms for the general public. Google declined to comment on the matter.
