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AIRLINE VIRGIN ATLANTIC has begun a six-week test which will allow its staff to find out more information about its passengers when they’re checking-in.
Staff in the airline’s Upper Class Wing staff will be equipped with either Google Glass or a Sony Smartwatch 2 to help personalise the experience for passengers.
The airline is teaming up with air communications company SITA to help provide information about passengers to its staff.
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The technology would be used to identify passengers and update them about new flight information, weather and local events at their destination as well as translate any foreign language information.
The trial is to replace an existing service that gave its staff customised information. If the trial is successful, Virgin will consider rolling out the service to other airports in the future.
The airline is also testing out other technologies to help improve customer experience, including iBeacon, a low-powered Bluetooth transmitter that can notify nearby iOS devices of nearby services, discounts and updates on their flight boarding schedules.
The trial is another example of Google Glass being used to help improve a service. Last week, it was revealed that the New York Police Department had started using the device to see if it would help officers with patrols and investigations.
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I’m a tech geek at heart and this technology is really cool BUT people have to be realistic and open there eyes, this is potentially one of the worst things to ever hit the self’s, privacy as we know it will be gone and our kids will never no what it is! Once its gone it will never come back, Scott Barry style
The thing I’m dreading most about this technology is women walking down the street behind me checking out my sweet little ass.
It gives them the capability to perv on me when I’m not even around!
Big difference in phone recording and these glasses. A few examples, your on a beach with your toddler and some stranger starts pointing a phone at your child filming them. If your a vigilant parent your going to notice this and one way or another put a stop to it and make other people aware of a potential pervert in your midst. Beach full of people lots wearing glasses any sicko can now do this unnoticed. Burgler scoping out your house standing with phone risk of being seen. Burgler walking slowly along with glasses on no problem. Taking cash out at an ATM using card in shop etc person with glasses good chance they can zoom in on your pin. Seriously dangerous piecof technology in the wrong hands and that’s aside from everyday invasions of privacy.
Soz, only seeing this now as you didn’t hit reply. Walking around with a phone outstretched pointing in someones face since 2004 isnt something I have seen too much of, in day to day life, like transactions at a till etc but hey maybe I haven’t been paying attention.
I like Virgin Atlantic. I flew here via London from SFO. Treated like a human being. Wonderful staff. Comfortable seats (and I’m 6’4″, 210lbs). The other airlines should pay attention to VA. They know how to treat people.
The glasses? Couldn’t care less. The terminal is plastered with cameras anyway.
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