节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2013-11-06
难易度:High
关键字:originate, hype, disclose, innovative, visor
Well, today we're continuing to learn about Google Glass, and it sounds like a
promising innovation.
We talked about the origin of Google Glass, or where it originated - in this
top-secret lab at Google called Google X.
And of course, the very first version, this prototype, was very heavy and kind
of awkward.
And then of course it became something that looked kind of like swimming goggles
that you wear around your eyes.
And now the current version is a slim visor that weighs about the same as this
pair of sunglasses, this visor... these visors that I am wearing.
Well, we have more to learn about the Google Glass.
Let's do that now.
Google Glass is a Promising Innovation.
Negative experiences included low battery life and the awkward feeling of
talking to Glass in public.
Major concerns.
Despite the hype surrounding Glass, many are worried that the device's video
recording function could endanger privacy.
In response, a handful of U.S. lawmakers requested Google CEO Larry Page to
disclose how Google will add privacy protection functions to Glass.
Supporters of Glass respond by saying that Glass can't do anything beyond what
smartphones can already do.
Glass will become available to the public sometime later this year or next.
Then users can decide whether Glass is a potential spying device or an
innovative tool for connecting with others and the Internet.
(Music).
We were talking about the Explorers and their experiences that they shared with
Google this past spring.
We talked about some of the positive experiences like taking hands-free pictures
or getting turn-by-turn directions.
But now we are reading about some of the not-so-good points.
Negative experiences included low battery life and the awkward feeling of
talking to Glass in public.
Yeah. I can understand that - why some people would feel that way.
That's how I felt when I'm looking at people who have Bluetooth, that little
piece of technology on their ear.
It looks like they're talking in public to themselves.
But really, they're talking with a Bluetooth.
Now you might have the same experience if you are having... if you're wearing
Google Glass in public.
But the low battery life... I don't know, I think there's a way to solve that.
Maybe if you took your... your wire, and you connected it to an outlet at a cafe
in public, that would be OK, right?
Well, I think that might be even more awkward since you would be charging your
glasses.
Yeah.
But you said in public, and I think Steve and Ken have some information they
want to share with us about the public.
When you do something in public, you do it in a place or in a way so that other
people can see it.
For example, it is illegal to smoke in public.
Notice it's not in "the" public.
"In public" is an idiom.
"The public" refers to the people as a whole.
Now the next question is, should we use a singular or plural verb with "the
public"?
Should I say the public is not allowed in or the public are not allowed in?
And the answer? Both could be used depending on who you talk to.
If you talk to Americans, the word "public" is singular because it refers to the
public as one entity.
But in British English, the public is often regarded as plural as it refers to
different members of the community, not organized together.
So someone from England would say the public are not allowed in because he sees
the public as a set of individuals.
And public is considered a collective noun.
Some other examples of collective nouns include corporation, team and
government.
Now as an American, I would say the team is having a winning season, whereas the
British might say the team are having a winning season.
(Chinese).
Thank you, guys.
You should go public with that idea.
OK. Let's continue here learning about major concerns.
Despite the hype surrounding Glass, many are worried that the device's video
recording function could endanger privacy.
So despite the hype here.
That means there is a lot of hype.
Let's talk about that word from our Word Bank.
You have hype. That means that people are excited about something.
That's right.
So there's a lot of advertising, a lot of publicity going on, and it's getting
people talking about this new item.
Many times if a famous author has just written a new book, there will be a lot
of hype about the book's release.
And people will wait in line for hours to buy one of the first copies.
Or maybe not just a book or the author, but maybe there's a lot of hype over a
new actor or actress or singer.
OK, and maybe a question you can ask - people are really excited about
something, you could say:
What's all the hype about?
That means, why are people so excited?
That's right.
Well, there is a lot of excitement, a lot of hype about Google Glass.
But some people are concerned about privacy issues because Google Glass can take
videos and pictures.
And in response to this concern, we continue to read:
In response, a handful of U.S. lawmakers requested Google CEO Larry Page to
disclose how Google will add privacy protection functions to Glass.
Well, I think that's important, privacy protection functions. OK.
Of course it's important to protect your privacy.
And you don't want other people to be taking pictures of you or doing things
that... that will, um, affect your privacy. OK.
So it's important to protect your privacy.
Now the CEO Larry Page, he's been pressured to disclose how they will add these
functions.
Let's talk about that word "disclose." That means to reveal something.
That's right. So make that information public.
What are your plans?
Sometimes people will ask you to disclose your plans.
Not that you are hiding anything major, but oh, just tell me what you're
planning on doing.
Can you disclose my uh, Christmas present there, Gabe?
No... Carolyn, that is a secret, of course.
I can't disclose what that is.
Now there are some things in life that you don't want to disclose, maybe.
Some people are uncomfortable disclosing their salary, for instance.
Or they don't want to disclose their age to make a lot of people know how old
they are.
OK. So what kinds of things are OK to disclose?
And what kinds of things do you want to keep private?
That's right.
Well, supporters of Glass respond by saying that Glass can't do anything beyond
what smartphones can already do.
So smartphones and Glass have all the same functions, so there shouldn't be
extra concern.
It's true.
So Carolyn, like right here... Ah, very nice.
I got a nice picture of Carolyn.
I didn't ask her for permission, but I got the picture.
I'm very glad.
Now it's time for us to learn more with Liz in the Grammar Gym.
Welcome to the Grammar Gym, friends.
My name is Liz.
Here's today's Grammar Tip sentence:
Supporters of Glass respond by saying that Glass can't do anything beyond what
smartphones can already do.
It just means that supporters of Glass are saying that Glass cannot do more than
what smartphones can already do.
In other words, Glass can only do what smartphones can do.
Notice the sentence pattern: [something] + not [verb] beyond what [something
else] + [verb].
This is a good pattern to use when you want to describe how A isn't better or
greater than B because A can only do what B is able to do.
For example:
It's useless asking the nurse about the test results; she doesn't know anything
beyond what we already know.
Or: This hotel isn't any better than the last one; it doesn't provide any free
services beyond what the previous hotel can provide.
If you'd like to see some more example sentences, then check out today's Grammar
Tip section in your magazine.
That's it for today.
This is Liz from the Grammar Gym.
See you next time.
Thank you, Liz.
Continuing: Glass will become available to the public sometime later this year
or next.
Then users can decide whether Glass is a potential spying device or an
innovative tool for connecting with others and the Internet.
Well, I think it's an innovative tool.
Let's look at that word "innovative." It sounds like the key word we learned
yesterday - innovation.
An innovative person is someone who has a lot of these good ideas.
That's right.
And Google likes to... hire people who are very innovative so that they can come
up with great new innovations like Google Glass.
Well, my innovative idea is that Google Glass should be solar power, powered by
the sun.
That way, you don't have to worry about battery life.
Well, that is a great innovation, Gabe.
And right now it is time for us to learn something with Michelle in the Language
Lab.
OK.
(Chinese).
And now let's continue our lesson.
Well, we have enjoyed learning all about Google Glass the past two days.
And we are inspired with our own innovations, aren't we, Gabe?
That's right, Carolyn.
I added a special feature to Cool Helmet.
These goggles and they will meet to use Cool Helmet underwater.
Carolyn, what is special about your new innovation?
Well, this is Cool Helmet Part 2.
Oh, yeah!
And instead of having a cellphone, I can stare directly at the sun.
So cool!
Well, thank you, friends, for joining us today learning about Google Glass and
their promising innovation.
And of course, we will see you next time right here at Studio Classroom.
See you.
Stay cool, like us!