Google’s co-founder Sergey Brin just ran on-stage at Google I/O to introduce skydivers above Moscone—who are wearing Google Glasses and streaming live video from the headsets via Google+ Hangouts to the keynote screen.
The divers lept from the plane, filmed the journey down to Moscone, and quickly landed on the building. Rooftop bikers donning the headsets then scaled down the building, while also filming the adventure, and the two extreme sports groups eventually met inside Moscone to greet Brin.
The demonstration showed the video quality of Google Glasses, as well as the product’s durability. Gimmicky, yes.
From there, executives detailed how the Google Glass project began roughly two years ago. The current prototype weighs less than sunglasses, but Google is still experimenting with different form factors. There are also microphones and speakers to receive information, including sensors and gyroscopes to make it aware of location, and there are multiple radios for communication.
The point of the headset, Google execs said, is so folks can interact with the virtual world and real world simultaneously without distractions. It seems the main aspect to the follow-up skydive demo is that Google Glasses can share images quickly.
Brin said he is “really excited” about day-to-day usage with Google Glasses, and he said today’s demo is important because Google is actually “showing you” what it is building. The co-founder then announced I/O attendees could pre-order early builds of the device after the conference.
“This is a new technology, and we really want you to help shape it,” Brin said, explaining why he wants to get Glasses into hands of developers.
A pair of beta —or Explorer Edition— Google Glasses costs $1,500 and will start shipping to I/O attendees next year. The 2012 Google I/O Developers Conference started today at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco, Calif., with events continuing until June 29 at 4:30 p.m. PST.
Images from the demonstration are below:
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