My mentor Brian Brown and I somehow got to discussing what would happen if a player were to show up wearing Google Glass or some other kind of wearable computer. Now, in my area, seeing people wearing computers on their head is rare, but this was a hypothetical discussion on the chance such devices become more common.

At Regular, the use of electronic devices to keep track of life or take notes is acceptable, because the screen is in common view of both players. However, the screen on a wearable computer is not. From this, it seems obvious that a player would not be permitted to wear a wearable computer.

The tricky question then becomes: What if a player's wearable computer is integrated with their actual glasses? It is possible to purchase Google Glass with prescription lenses. What if the player has no alternate pair on their person? How ought we to handle this situation at Regular? (And out of curiosity, what would you do at Competitive +?)

At regular the only thing to do really is have a chat with the player and see if they can manage without the glasses. Odds are that they can (although it may be trickier for them); or see if they can provide assurances that the device is off during game play.

As for Comp REL - the update to policy regarding electronic devices would prohibit the use of Google Glass or similar. At Comp REL we expect players to have a reasonable knowledge of the rules, including the restrictions on electronic devices. Ignorance is less of an excuse for not just bringing normal glasses or contact lenses.

I think the chances that someone legitimately shows up to a Comp REL event completely unaware that there might be an issue with such a device is quite small. It's more likely that someone will suspect there might be a problem and decide not to check in advance of the event.

I haven't explored the current capabilities of Glass, but I don't think you can actively use it in a meaningful way without vocalizing commands, so I'm not sure that there's potential for abuse here without it becoming very evident what you're up to.

This isn't to say we shouldn't concern ourselves with it, especially at Comp REL - I'm in full agreement with the notion that people should be aware of the policies at this point, and abide by them - but at Regular, I don't think that any serious problems can arise from someone having Glass that wouldn't already make their presence clear in some other fashion.

There is this http://www.esquire.com/features/google-glass-tests-1213

scroll down to “texas hold-em”

I wouldn't accept them in a Magic game, period. That's far beyond what a mobile phone can do, and I think it doesn't create a fun environment for anyone.

As a player, I'm usually pretty annoyed if my opponent keeps on looking at his phone (apart from short and important calls, I'm not a jerk), even at Regular REL. Or if he listens to music or something. I'm here to play Magic and that's a disrespectful attitude. In CompREL, I'd call a judge. In Regular REL, I'm usually the judge myself. In both cases, my opponent will stop using the phone or playing Magic, he chooses :)

Evertjan's post made me think: What do we do about spectators with wearable computers?

If Player 1 and Player 2 are in the middle of a game and Spectator is watching while wearing his wearable computer. Let's say Spectator is standing behind Player 2. Let's also say while walking the floor and checking on things, we notice these scenarios.

1. What if we know that Player 1 and Spectator are friends and neither knows Player 2? This immediately looks suspicious. (If all three are friends, I am disinclined to worry.)

2. What if we know that Player 1 and Spectator are friends, and Player 1 receives a call? I know that short personal calls are permitted with the opponent's permission, but, again, this looks highly suspicious.

Chris neither of these scenarios are particularly new - people watch their friends' games all the time, from every conceivable angle. The addition of wearable computers doesn't change much. As always, if you suspect something then investigate. If you're just generally concerned it looks bad, ask the spectators to move/leave as you see fit.