glasses

How to know if your eclipse glasses are safe or a dangerous scam

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Let’s tell you How to know if your eclipse glasses are safe or you have some scam that could endanger the health of your eyes. He solar eclipse of 2026 It is already very close, and many people are going to travel to see it. But of course, faced with such a unique and spectacular event, we will all want to look at the eclipse without frying our eyes. This is where special eclipse glasses come into play, with specific protections with which protect your eyes properly. But of course, These glasses must have legal approval that certifies that they work, and as always happens in these cases, you can find counterfeits that protect you correctly. And that is why we are going to explain to you what you should look for in glasses before buying them to ensure that they are correctly approved. We are also going to tell you three ways in which you can verify at home that the glasses you already have will protect you, and we will even give you some alternatives to glasses… and we will warn you about others that you should not use under any circumstances. Requirements to be legal approved glasses To ensure that the glasses you buy to protect yourself during the eclipse are legal and follow international standards for direct observation of the sun, They must meet certain standards and include certain information explicitly in your profile. It is the following: They must have exact standard: The glasses must be clearly and unambiguously stated ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015. Here, it is worth taking into account ALL the numbers. For example, if it only says “ISO 12312-1” they will be ordinary sunglasses and they will not work for you. You have to comply with the ISO 12312-2 or ISO 12312-2:2015. Manufacturer identification: On the box you must put the name and clear address of the manufacturer or importer in the European Union. Be wary of any model in which these contact details are not indicated. Printed instructions: The instructions for the glasses should clearly state some key warnings to protect you, such as “Do not wear more than 3 minutes at a time” or “Dispose of if scratched or punctured.” Light Transmission (Attenuation Factor): In the model information, you should make sure that the glasses filter is capable of blocking 99.999% of visible light and almost all UV and IR rays. Three home checks before looking at the sun Once you have bought the glasses or are going to use ones you have at home, before using them to look at the Sun it is advisable do checks to make sure they will protect you correctly. These are three tests that you will be able to do at home in a simple way: The light bulb test: Put on your glasses at home or indoors in general, and look at a light bulb that is on. When you do this, you should see absolutely nothing except the filament or LED of a very powerful bulb. And even these elements should be seen extremely faintly. The reflex test: If you are on the street, you should look at a shiny surface in the sun, such as the hood of a car. When you do this, you should see only a very soft flash, and nothing of the rest of the surrounding scene. The physical test of the sheet: This is a test to verify that the protective film on your glasses is free of defects. You must check against the light that the Mylar or black polymer filter does not have micropunctures, scratches or looseness in the cardboard mounts. Come on, total protection and no defects. What alternatives you can use and which ones you can’t Beyond buying approved glasses, you can also use some alternatives such as welder screens or glasses. Of course, in this case it must have a DIN 14 graduation or higher. The technical minimum is usually DIN 12, but for greater clearance and comfort, DIN 14 is recommended. The DIN scale indicates the percentage of how much these protectors split light. The ISO 12312-2 standard establishes the safety threshold for looking directly at the sun, and it is around ≤ 0.003%. DIN 11, for example, has a luminous transmission of 0.005%, so it is higher than this standard and is not valid. That of DIN 14 is 0.00027%, below that standard, and transmits 50 times less visible light than a DIN 10. And what does all this mean? Well then The DIN is something that you should look for in a hardware store if you are going to buy welding glasses.because it is the measure that indicates how much light it lets through. Therefore, we recommend that it be DIN 14 or higher. Another alternative to special eclipse glasses that are much less visual is indirect projection. You know, the pinhole method or a kitchen strainer to project the sun onto a surface and see the eclipse there instead of looking directly at the sky. What you should NEVER use for an eclipse are other elements such as x-rays, superimposed sunglasses of any category, smoked lenses, photographic film or conventional photography ND filters placed on the eye. None of these items will protect your eyes if you look directly at the sun during an eclipse, and they can damage them. Recommended glasses models If you still don’t have good approved glasses to see the eclipse, you still have time to buy them and have them arrive on time. If you have Amazon Primethe online commerce giant is one of the most recommended to find good packages of approved glasses at affordable prices and fast shipping. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links For example, you have the Keyaluo brand pack, with six units per 6.17 … Read more

Where to buy approved glasses to see the eclipse so that they arrive home on time

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There are just 14 days left to see the total solar eclipse. It is the first with these characteristics that we will have for more than a century, so it is an event that is worth not missing. We already brought you a map to consult the duration and forecast of the same in each municipalitybut today we are going to focus on the glasses we will need to be able to see it safely. And of course, that they arrive home on time. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links What do glasses have to have to see the eclipse? Regardless of whether we are in an area where the total or partial eclipse can be seen, it is important to view it with glasses with adequate protection. The sunglasses that we use daily are not usefulsince these are designed to protect us from scattered light, and not to look directly at the sun. The fundamental thing we have to look for when buying glasses to see an eclipse is that are approved. This is something that must be clearly indicated in the advertisement or in the product description and, in addition, it is usually also indicated on the glasses themselves. On both sides, there must be the inscription EN ISO 12312-2. It is important that this approval is the one we indicate and not EN ISO 12312-1 (only the last digit changes), since this only regulates glasses for daily use. Furthermore, if we buy the glasses in the European Union, they must also have the ‘CE’ logo. Glasses to see the eclipse that will arrive home on time As we still have two weeks to spare, we have a fairly large range of stores to buy glasses to view the eclipse. If you want to wait as little as possible to receive them, the Amazon option stands out as the most recommended (especially if you are a member of Amazon Prime). Taking a quick look, we can find packages with several approved glasses at affordable prices. Keyaluo Approved Solar Eclipse Glasses, Pack of 6, EN ISO 12312-2:2015(E) and CE Certified, AAS 2026 Approval, Solar eclipse glasses for direct vision of the sun The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some that fit with everything we have explained above are these from the Keyaluo brand. They have the corresponding approval and six units come that you can share with your friends or family. They go out for 6.17 euros right now, so each unit costs 1.03 euros. And, if you have Amazon Prime, you will receive them at home tomorrow. There are also other options available in stores such as MediaMarkt, Carrefour or El Corte Inglés, with models like this one from Hawkers for 3.99 euros. All of these are ideal for viewing the eclipse, but you can always find an alternative yourself. Just remember: that they are approved and with a shipment with enough margin so that they arrive at your house before next August 12. Rectangular unisex eclipse sunglasses with ISO Certificate Hawkers Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Hawkers, Jongsun LeeAmazon In Xataka | If you live in Madrid and want to see the total eclipse on August 12, write down these 52 towns In Xataka | Seeing the eclipse from a remote corner of Empty Spain is very good. A company has a better idea: see it flying

ONCE and the Ministry of Science give away 2 million glasses for the solar eclipse: this is how you can get them

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Looking ahead to the next solar eclipse on August 12, something as important as find a good location to see it is to get hold of good approved glasses. X-rays and photographic negatives are not valid, as has traditionally been said. It is also not safe to look at the eclipse with conventional sunglasses. Such acts, such as looking with the naked eye, can cause serious eye problems. This is something they know a lot about. ONCE. That’s why, they just launched next to the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting eyesight at these types of events. And since there is no better way to raise awareness than by giving access to solutions, an important part of the campaign will be the distribution of 2 million free eclipse glasses throughout the country. ¿Where can you find the ONCE eclipse glasses? The glasses will begin to be distributed completely free starting next Monday, August 3. 1,700,000 units will be distributed through ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) will be responsible for the rest, which will distribute them among research centers, science museums and other public entities in the field of science, innovation and universities. Specifically, this is the list of museums and scientific centers that the Ministry of Science has shared: Interactive Museum of Music of Malaga – MIMMA Andalusia Science Park – Granada Aragonese Museum of Paleontology – Teruel Museum of Science and the Cosmos – Tenerife Elder Museum of Science and Technology – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Eyes to the sky – La Palma Science Museum of Castilla-La Mancha (MCCM) – Cuenca Museum of Paleontology of Castilla-La Mancha (MUPA) – Cuenca The Light Factory. Energy Museum – Ponferrada Valladolid Science Museum – Valladolid Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona Mathematical Museum of Catalonia – MMACA – Cornellà de Llobregat Montsec Astronomical Park – Lleida National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – Alcobendas National Museum of Natural Sciences – Madrid Royal Botanical Garden – Madrid FORAL COMMUNITY OF NAVARRA University of Navarra Science Museum – Pamplona Big History. Scientific and environmental dissemination center – Aras de los Olmos City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia Botanical Garden of the University of Valencia Alicante Water Museum Museum of Natural Sciences of Valencia Didactic and Interactive Museum of Sciences of the Vega Baja del Segura (MUDIC-VBS-CV) Castellón Planetarium National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) – A Coruña Coruña Scientific Museums – A Coruña House of Sciences of Logroño Eureka! Zientzia Museoa – San Sebastian Bioparc Aquarium of Gijón Museum of Science and Water of Murcia As for the ONCE points of salethe glasses approved for the eclipse will be distributed at ONCE points of sale throughout Spain. If you want to know which one is closest to your home, you can use the application My Seller ONCEwhich features a very easy-to-use drop-down map. In total there are 35,000 points of sale throughout the Spanish territory, so you are sure to have one quite close by. Other initiatives The coupon for August 12, 2026 from the ONCE draw will be dedicated, as it could not be otherwise, to the solar eclipse. It is another of the initiatives that have emerged from this project between ONCE and the Ministry of Science, but not the only one. The agreement was signed yesterday at the National Museum of Science and Technology of Spain (MUNCYT) in A Coruña. The signatories were the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, and the first vice president of Institutional Coordination, Solidarity and External Relations of the General Council of ONCE, Alberto Durán. Together, they announced the initiative to distribute eclipse glasses and sell a special coupon, but also many other activities. And with this signature, it has been decided to incorporate the ONCE Social Group into the meetings of the Interministerial Commission for the preparation, organization and coordination of actions related to the Trio of Eclipsesas well as to provide resources and educational materials that can be adapted, to guarantee the inclusion and cultural development of people with visual disabilities in particular and other disabilities. As Alberto Durán explained during the presentation, his goal is that after the eclipse no more people arrive at ONCE with vision problems. For this, awareness is a key point. Guaranteed approval To check that eclipse glasses are suitable, they must be approved according to the standard. EN ISO 12312-2:2015 and have the CE seal. The positive part is that these are distributed by two totally reliable institutions, such as ONCE and the Ministry of Science, so it is guaranteed that they have said seal. It is a nice initiative with which ONCE wants its clients to be very well protected in the face of the astronomical event of the year. And the best thing is that, well stored to avoid scratches or deterioration Otherwise, they can also be used to the solar eclipses of 2027 and 2028. An exciting time is coming for astronomy lovers in our country. Let’s enjoy it with protection. Images | ONCE and Ministry of Science In Xataka | Leo Hernández, eclipse hunter: “I knew that whenever I could or life allowed me, I would try to travel to see more”

The solar eclipse on August 12 is approaching and your prescription glasses can complicate your plan: this is how you can solve it

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The time for the solar eclipse has arrived. You have taken all necessary precautions and you have bought some approved glassesbut you go to put them on and discover how uncomfortable it is to wear them over your prescription glasses. If you wear prescription glasses and think you can live this story next August 12, do not leave the issue of approved glasses to the last minute. At some observation points they will be given to attendees, but if you have not tried them in advance you may discover that they do not fit your eyes well and, therefore, are neither comfortable nor protective. It is better to bring your own protection and also test it in advance. Let’s see some ideas. The cardboard gives a lot of itself. In addition to to reduce costs manufacturing, the frames of glasses approved for eclipses are usually made of cardboard to fit well to any face. As a result, they can often be worn over prescription glasses without any problem. You may have to hold them by hand; but, as long as you make sure they cover your field of vision well, there is no problem. There are also glasses that, without being made of cardboard, are deliberately large to accommodate other glasses underneath. It is the case of these that show in an article of The Country. However, not everything is going to be big glasses. There are other options too. Clips are a good option. There are some clip options with filters approved for solar eclipses that fit the lens of almost any glasses. They are generally sold in opticians. or specialized stores and, since they are much more exclusive, they have slightly higher prices than typical cardboard frame glasses. Still, they are a great option if you don’t want to gamble. Ask your optician what they recommend. Yes indeed. Even if they are made as universal as possible, they may not fit your glasses specifically well. Always try them first. You can wear contact lenses. If you usually wear contact lenses, now is a good time to do so. Thus, the approved glasses you use will fit your face better. Remember what is important. It doesn’t matter if you use approved glasses or clip-on filters. The important thing is that you make sure they have the certificate EN ISO 12312-2:2015 and that both the seal of the European Community and the instructions for use are indicated on the packaging. Additionally, you should make sure that the filters are not scratched, as this would decrease the level of protection. And, of course, remember that neither x-rays nor photo negatives are valid. They are myths that have damaged many retinas along the way. Image | Magnific/NASA In Xataka | The trio of eclipses that await Spain on the horizon: an unprecedented and historic chain between 2026 and 2028

Apple is preparing glasses to respond to Meta’s Ray-Ban. The problem is a wall called ‘privacy’

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John Ternus is the new CEO of Apple and, although he will officially take office next September 1 coinciding with the presentation of the iPhone 18 Procomes to office with a task. On the one hand, the highly rumored foldable iPhone that we should see next to the iPhone 18 Pro and that it would have a very similar format to what was seen in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. On the other hand, the new Apple glasses. We are not referring to a new version of the VisionProbut rather one more product to carry on a daily basis with which they will compete, directly, against the Ray-Ban by Meta. However, there is a major challenge with this product: privacy. Because Meta’s glasses have been sailing seas of controversies with privacyuser recordings that They are not so private either the use that is made of this type of device, and if a company does not want to have anything to do with controversies, and even less related to privacy, that is Apple. All of this is forcing them to think very hard. What strategy do you want to follow with these glasses? that can pay for the losses of another team: the AI ​​team. Let’s go with the story because it’s pretty cool. Apple glasses and the privacy problem A few months ago, our colleagues at Applesfera already said that reputable sources from both the sector in general and Apple in particular they pointed to a delay in the apple glasses. Mark Gurman, in Bloombergassures that the device was planned for sometime in 2026, but in the end it will end up arriving at the end of 2027 with a presentation at WWDC 2027. That extra time will allow developers to create apps for a new type of wearable that aspires to be an Apple Watch, but in the form of glasses. It will also give more time for the company itself to deal with the privacy issue. We have recently seen several controversies related to Meta glasses in this area and, although Meta has not responded to some of those controversies, yes he has taken measures patching user manipulation and preventing the glasses from recording if they detect that the LED that works as a ‘snitch’ when we record is altered. According to Gurman, the glasses are codenamed ‘N50’ and Apple has put several of its teams to work (engineering and marketing among them) to refine not only the product, but the message around the privacy of the new device. It is, according to the Bloomberg journalist, Apple’s main priority for these glasses due to user concerns and the public and legal scrutiny in this regard. Distrust has already led both states and private entities to prohibit them in some spaces (such as swimming pools, gyms or schools, for example) and, although cell phones capture images of higher resolution and quality, wearing a camera on glasses feels more stealthy, like a quieter capture device. Apple knows that many eyes will be on this issue when it introduces the device, so it is working to emphasize not only the areas in which its glasses differ from the rest, but also why the user (and society itself) can trust it. The idea is that this device is a mix between AirPods and Apple Watch with access to Sirimusic playback, calls and information, and Gurman points out that a solution to the privacy issue would be to eliminate cameras or directly prevent the user from capturing content. Smart glasses without a camera is not that strange. Xiaomi has some and there are brands with products like this that, precisely, rely on this improvement in privacy as a marketing weapon. Bloomberg claims that Apple would be proposing glasses without a camera, but also one with cameras and sensors, but that they would only be used for the AI ​​to see the world around the user and obtain information about objects and places that would later be transferred to the user through Siri. There are two problems. The first is that, if privacy were not an issue and in an ideal world, glasses with a camera are extremely useful for recording family moments and creating hands-free content, so eliminating cameras would send those who want that to the competition. The second is that Gurman claims that Apple does not currently trust its AI enough for that to be the main selling point for a totally new product. Obviously, It is a thorny and difficult issue to address. for an Apple that is about to enter a period of celebration (with the rumored 20th anniversary iPhone), but that has several hot potatoes as potential price increases (even more) due to RAM crisis and totally new products for them like these glasses or the foldable. Many possible crises to face if something goes wrong, so it is logical that they want to tread carefully. In Xataka | With the Vision Pro, Apple created a product with revolutionary potential. He then abandoned him to his fate.

why 3 euro cardboard glasses protect your eyes from an eclipse better than 100 euro sunglasses

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If you have in mind see the solar eclipse this August 12you may have already started searching approved glasses. Many shops they have jumped on the car and they are launching offers at a very reduced price. Although the truth is that, honestly, it is not necessary to lower the cost much, since the price of eclipse glasses is extremely cheap. And of course, for some people, it is very shocking, since they insist actively and passively that conventional sunglasses do not work for us, but how can my 100-euro Ray-Ban not be worth it and some cardboard glasses that cost me 3 are worth it? With this, as with many things in life, we see that price is not everything. They are not lying to us when they tell us that sunglasses are worthless. They also don’t scam us by selling us eclipse glasses for only 3 euros. The inflated prices of brand name sunglasses can sometimes hurt us like a scam, although everyone is free to set the prices for their brand that they see fit. But let’s focus on the science of approved glasses. How can something so technically necessary be so cheap to produce? There is not so much technical complexity. Eclipse glasses are designed to be used once in a very long time, if at all. Normally, the person who wears them just look at the sky and, at most, around it. You don’t have to drive, walk, or read anything. You just stop and look at the Sun. For this reason, all you need is a very basic frame, sometimes made of cardboard, and two filters, one for each eye. Sunglasses, on the other hand, must be functional, which requires greater technical complexity. If they are graduated, It is necessary that they have an adequate curvature. This is not necessary in itself for non-prescription sunglasses, but it is often also done to give them a more enveloping effect, especially if they are aimed at sports. On the other hand, the glass of the sunglasses is carved, polished and treated to improve visibility and prevent scratches. For this reason, their manufacture is more expensive, while the price of eclipse glasses is very low. Simple but essential filters. The really important thing about approved eclipse glasses is that they have good filters. These must comply with the regulations EN ISO 12312-2:2015which ensures that no more than 0.00032% of visible sunlight is allowed to pass through. Sunglasses, on the other hand, are designed to avoid indirect damage, but not to look directly at the Sun, so a transmittance of 3% is sufficient in the highest protection categories. The filters used to achieve this great light blocking in eclipse glasses are manufactured with a black polymer or resin with carbon particles. The most used polymer is reflective Mylar.. Then, on top of the polymer, they have thin layers of aluminum, chrome or silver, which help optimize filtering. They are not difficult materials to obtain in the necessary quantities, so the final price is not exorbitant. There is no exclusivity, another reason for the price of eclipse glasses. Even if cheap materials are used, the filter still costs money. The thing is that, unlike what usually happens with sunglasses, eclipse glasses are usually produced on very large scales. Exclusivity is not sought nor does anything happen because there are many identical glasses. That, in the end, reduces costs a lot. Furthermore, with sunglasses we often pay for the brand and that is something that, logically, does not matter with glasses approved for viewing the eclipse. Even given as gifts. Producing these glasses is so cheap that some brands, businesses and institutions are already giving them away to ensure that we all see the eclipse on August 12 safely. In Spain, this will be the first of three eclipses in three consecutive years; So, contrary to usual, you will need these glasses again very soon. Whatever you buy, don’t get rid of them. Of course, if you see that the filter is broken or scratched, the protective metal layers may be damaged and good filtering is no longer guaranteed. In that case, buy others. After all, they are justifiably very cheap. Image | Magnific/NASA In Xataka | A third of Spain will be completely dark for a minute or two. The astronomical event of the century is approaching

Samsung already has its own smart glasses. The difficult thing will be to differentiate them from those of their competitors.

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During the Galaxy Unpacked event held these days in London, Samsung has presented your long-awaited smart glasses. We are looking at two different designs developed in collaboration with the international eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The glasses combine a light frame and a thin but resistant profile. The goal: to be able to wear them without problems throughout the day. It is a proposal that, yes, will have to compete with an increasingly lively sector and in which differentiating is beginning to be problematic. Before continuing, we remind you that the members of Xataka Xtra can access discounts, benefits and exclusive opportunities in the Samsung online storein addition to exclusive raffles, a private Discord server and a growing catalog of discounts and advantages on digital services. You can join the community for only 30 euros per year. Smart glasses that hide their ability Won-Joon Choi, COO of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile eXperience (MX) business, explained in the presentation that AI is also transforming mobile experiences, adding that “smart glasses create a new point of interaction and bring more personalized AI assistance.” The smart glasses from Samsung’s Galaxy family boast a particularly light and comfortable design, but without compromising the battery. This has an autonomy of up to nine hours with a single charge. The charging case allows for up to seven additional full charges. In that frame, the glasses include an integrated camera that provides visual context to the AI ​​experience. An exterior and interior LED indicator inform when recording is active, while recording is automatically deactivated when the glasses are removed from the user’s face or when the exterior LED is covered. Additionally, users have additional controls over privacy and personalization, and their audio, screen sharing, and video data is not used to train artificial intelligence models. And as the center of that experience, a Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip which is responsible for providing the necessary performance for all the functions offered. Among others, this SoC is responsible for solving touch interaction, connectivity, energy efficiency and thermal management. During Galaxy Unpacked, Samsung presented two different designs, developed together with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The Gentle Monster edition features a slim black frame that combines a straight top line with gently rounded bottom edges. The Warby Parker design presents a slightly raised top line in brown, a proposal that until now had not been seen so much in this type of wearables. In the press presentation we saw a third model with an equally differential design in which the frame had more oval and narrower lenses. Gemini by flag The other main protagonist of the user experience on this device is GeminiGoogle’s generative AI model that thus provides an assistant with which to interact by voice in a natural, immediate and intuitive way. Not only can we ask for help and assistance about what we see at all times, but we can also use it as a voice assistant to chat and ask questions of all kinds. Some of these use cases stand out at Samsung. Some work in collaboration with our mobile, for example summarizing long messages, translating in real time or reading information aloud. It is also possible to use the location to find a route, and the camera can also be used as an interface for Gemini to explain how to complete a manual task. Price and variants of Samsung smart glasses At the moment, Samsung has not provided information on the price or availability of these smart glasses, but we will update this information as soon as it is available. More information | Samsung

running in San Fermín recording it with glasses. The Police have another opinion

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Smart glasses have just collided head-on with the San Fermín running of the bulls. It is the new legal outrage of the most guarded confinement. The legal key is in the Pamplona running of the bulls ordinance: prohibits carrying cameras, mobile phones or “any image or sound recording medium” within the route and reserved fences. Article 4.11 of the Municipal Enclosure Ordinance makes it very clear. Unless expressly authorized, if you do so, you expose yourself to sanctions ranging from minor (601 euros) to very serious (6,000 euros). The video, shared by TikTok and accumulating almost 20,000 views, it shows that adrenaline-inducing moment of jumping and warming up before running in front of the halters. In first person, the video partly boasts about being able to record it and skip the lockdown ordinance. Since they are not carried in the hand, the glasses are considered a recording device that can distract, hinder the race and compromise the safety of runners and third parties. Before Meta there was GoPro. Is it worth recording the running of the bulls rather than running it? The suggestive idea of ​​using glasses has collided head-on with arrest. Tracking the user’s account, the Municipal Police of Navarra did not take long to identify the foreign runner wearing the Ray-Ban Meta. It was during the second running of the bulls of San Fermín 2026. It is neither the first time nor will it be the last. During the last years there are some other runner who chose to carry a camera knowing that he is “strictly prohibited“The Foral Police confiscated it. And although there are people covering the LED of this type of viewers to record without anyone noticing, that does not mean that it is legal: the Spanish Penal Code considers it a crime that, if by recording, it violates the “privacy of the other”, with prison sentences of one to four years and a fine of twelve to twenty-four months” Smart glasses and the law. Whether it is a cell phone, a GoPro or a drone, even if the support is more discreet and “modern”, recording is prohibited. The problem is that we come across a certain legal loophole because in Spain there is no specific law that says “Ray-Ban Meta is prohibited” in the abstract. What applies is the regulations of the event and, where applicable, data protection and security regulations if third parties are recruited without a legal basis. In a lockdown, the key is not so much technology as context. Jurisprudence or legal debate usually follows two paths: public security and image treatment. In a massive and sometimes dangerous event like San Fermín, the first weighs more, because the City Council considers that recording from within can cause tripping, divert attention or even put other runners at risk; The second, privacy, appears as a reinforcement if third-party images are later disseminated without consent. Four centuries before the bull. Ironically, the running of the bulls began as a tolerated infraction, and later became the regulated festival that every Pamplona resident knows: in the 16th century the young men began to run in front of the bulls, in 1776 the fence was established and in 1867 Pamplona formally regulated it by ordinance. Then came the starting rockets, the second rocket in 1927 and, already in the 20th century, the assistance protocols and professionalization with health devices, a safety manual and the entire police liturgy. The rules also provide that “anyone who litters the road and public spaces will be punished” and, unfortunately, it is not difficult to find glasses, even glass, along the route. In fact, you cannot stay on the tour if you are drunk or under the influence of drugs, but tourists usually ignore these rules and “a fine always falls on someone who is clueless.” With or without consent. Even worse are the cases of recordings of girls without your consent. An example is found in the penalty of 10,000 euros from the AEPD for recording a person in the street without permission and disseminating the video on networks, as in relation to the April Fair. Organic Law 1/1982, which regulates the fundamental right to honor, privacy and one’s own image, is clear about this type of illegitimate interference. At least, and with the second running of the Sanfermines in 2026 over, everything is functioning with ritual normality: short and very fast running of the bulls and with a controlled injury toll—just two injured per pole—, while the city continues to shield the race with more surveillance, more preventive messages and more awareness than ever about risky behavior. Images | Flickr (Paul Mison, Antonio Sánchez Serrano) In Xataka | There are people covering the LED on Meta’s glasses to record secretly. The company has just made a drastic decision In Xataka | Soon you won’t need to remember anyone’s name. Meta’s glasses will do it for you

There are people covering the LED on Meta’s glasses to record secretly. The company has just made a drastic decision

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Today it is relatively easy to know when someone is recording us with a cell phone: we see it raised, pointing towards us, becoming an almost universal signal. The same does not happen with smart glasses. They may look like normal glasses, be on the face of someone looking in our direction, and go unnoticed for those who don’t know what to look for. In this scenario, the small white light that turns on when capturing photos or videos is not a minor detail: it is the visible clue that allows us to understand that those glasses are recording. The problem begins when that clue disappears. That’s just what Meta is trying to prevent now. The company claims that its AI glasses, a category that already goes beyond the Ray-Ban Meta, will disable the camera if they detect that the capture LED has been physically tampered with or destroyed, not just if it is covered. Until now, Meta said that, since its second generation of glasses, the system already blocked photos and videos when it detected that that light was covered. The novelty is that the protection is extended to more aggressive attempts to override the visible warning. It is not an absolute guarantee against all misuse, but it is a direct response to a specific crack in the product. The problem with glasses was not just blocking the light Meta calls that signal “capture LED”: a white light on the front of each pair of glasses that flashes when content is being captured for the gallery. According to the company, in the case of a photo the notice appears for a moment, while on video remains throughout the recording. On paper, its function is simple: let people around you know that someone is taking an image or recording a scene. In practice, that small light carries an enormous responsibility: making visible a camera that, by design, can be confused with conventional glasses. The leap is that it wasn’t all about putting a piece of tape over the light. Meta acknowledges that it has seen attempts that went further: efforts to physically modify or destroy the capture LED. Media like 404 Media and BGR have documented those types of practices in more detail. The first published the case of a service that offered to modify the Ray-Ban Meta to make the light useless, while the second included more rudimentary methods and other more elaborate ones, from accessories designed to hide it to physical interventions on the indicator area. The underlying issue was clear: if the signal could disappear and the camera continued working, the safeguard lost much of its meaning. In Spain we have already seen how far this gap can go. At Xataka we have been counting for just over a year the case of a young man detained in Barcelona after recording hundreds of women with smart glasses without their knowledge, an episode that turned a until then diffuse concern into a much more tangible problem. The key was not only the device, but the lack of social alarm about it: many people still do not react the same to apparently normal glasses as to a cell phone pointed in their direction. The company presents the update as a new layer of privacy, but it is also an admission that the LED had become an attackable point in the system. If the visible notice could be obscured, modified, or destroyed while the camera continued to operate, the promise of transparency was weakened. Now Meta is trying to turn that light into something more than an indicator: a condition for the camera to operate. Images | Goal In Xataka | Meta already has its rival for Nano Banana 2. Its problem is the same as always: mercilessly invading our privacy

If you don’t have glasses for the solar eclipse, this homemade box made with cardboard and aluminum foil works just as well.

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If you plan to see the solar eclipse on August 12, you will surely have already been researching methods to see it safely. To look directly at the Sun, x-rays, photographic negatives or any of the tricks that were recommended in the past are not useful. We can hurt our eyes a lot. Only approved glasses are valid. However, if you do not have or do not want to buy them, you can always resort to indirect methods, such as pinhole camera. It is an ideal method to use with children, since you can see the solar eclipse without risk And, what’s more, they have a good time making the box. Of course, it is a perfect plan to do as a family. We tell you everything you need to do it. Materials The materials to make the pinhole camera are very simple. First of all, you need a cardboard box. It may be worth an empty cereal container or shoe box. You also need a white piece of paper, a piece of aluminum foil, tape, a pencil, scissors and a thumbtack. How is the pinhole camera made? To make the pinhole camera, first we need to draw one of the shortest sides of the cardboard box on the sheet of paper. For example, the base of the cereal box. We place it on the sheet of paper, draw the outline and then cut it out. We must glue the resulting piece of paper inside, on the bottom of the box. Next, at the opposite end of the box, two square-shaped holes should be made. If we have a cereal box, which has that side open, we would have to glue a piece of cardboard in the middle, so that the two square openings on the sides can be seen. In this NASA publication there is a video that shows how it should look.. Then, cover one of the openings with aluminum foil secured with adhesive tape. Also, make a small hole in the center of the aluminum foil with a thumbtack. With this the pinhole camera would be ready. How to use it to view the solar eclipse? To use the pinhole camera we must position ourselves with our backs to the sun and look through the hole that doesn’t have aluminum foil. The sun’s rays enter through the small hole in the aluminum foil, which acts as if it were the lens of a camera, so that the image behind it is projected on the blank paper that we place at the bottom of the box. It should be noted that, logically, this device only works during partial solar eclipse. When totality is reached and the Moon completely covers the Sun, there is hardly any light that can enter through the hole, so there will be no projections to look at. The good thing is that, only during that totality, you can look at the sun directly, without glasses. Of course, you have to be very clear when the totality begins and when it ends, since with very little light we can damage our retinas. In short, this is a good way to indirectly see the partial solar eclipse without the need for approved glasses. If you are in one of the places within the band of totality, once it begins, you can look at the Sun directly, but be careful not to go too far. Unless you are in a town like Lerín, where The bells will ring to warn when totality begins and endsget away from the slightest ray that appears. Image | POT In Xataka | The trio of eclipses that await Spain on the horizon: an unprecedented and historic chain between 2026 and 2028

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