The Select Committee on Communications, which I chair, has now taken its last evidence in its inquiry into media plurality. Our sessions, running from June until now, have included a packed and diverse schedule of witnesses. The time has now come, therefore, to put pen to paper and let you and the Government know what we think. Our report should be out in mid- to late January 2014.

In the midst of this serious business, I am glad to say that there is also time for some diversion. Most recently, before providing evidence formally to the Committee last week, Google also gave us on the Committee a private demonstration of their new wearable technology, Google Glass. For the uninitiated, Google Glass looks like a pair of frames which you wear like spectacles, but instead of lenses, they house a miniature screen which displays content from a tiny computer contained in the arm. The computer can connect wirelessly to the internet, and as a result, the wearer can ask it questions – out loud – to which it delivers a response on the screen, gathered from a Google search. It also sends messages, makes calls, records video and takes pictures, and you can see one of me trying it out last week below.

Much as smartphones and connected TVs raise important regulatory and policy questions, Google Glass and similar technologies will clearly prompt debate in time to come. At this prototype stage, however, I must say I was glad to give it a go and that, on the command: “OK Glass, Google: Richard Inglewood,” the thing, slightly to my surprise, knew who I am!

To find out more about the Committee’s media plurality inquiry and the work of the Select Committee on Communications – visit the Committee’s website.