It’s not the best video in the world in terms of production values, but the techniques being demonstrated are pretty cool. For example, asking Glass the height of the Washington Monument when looking at it and being shown a visual scale overlayed on the real thing, translation of a sign on a sidewalk and overlaying a restaurant with star rating and opening times …
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The Verge noted that Twitter user Nicolas Gramlich spotted one more change to the redesigned web version of the Play Store: support for Google Glass apps.
Google’s updated Play Store includes mention of Glass, implying that the company’s headset will be managed through the store soon. Users who have linked Glass with their Google account have been seeing the device in the site’s “compatible devices” list when viewing apps …
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Back in May, we reported on a new piece of Glassware that controlled your Nest thermostat via Google Glass, and last month we saw GLASSTESLA, an app that lets you manage your car with Glass. Now home automation company Revolv has taken it a step further. The company has released a teaser video of a new technology developed by their Sr. Engineer that lets you control all sorts of things via Google Glass. Specifically in the video you can see office lights, Philips Hue lights, Yale Lock, and a Sonos player all being controlled with Glass. In addition to simply turning the Hue Lights on and off, the video also shows how you can change the color of the lights. The app can be controlled with either gestures or voice commands.
It’s unclear when or if this technology will be released to the public, as it is simply the “side project” of Revolv’s Sr. Engineer.
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Earlier this week we reported on the XE7 update rolling out to Google Glass, which included features such as a web browser and improved voice actions, but the update also includes a few more unannounced lab features (via SelfScreens). As first noticed by +Andrew Wiggin on Google+, the XE7 update includes evidence of a music player, video player, Glass app store, a volume screen, and more.
The music player appears to be dedicated to showing what’s “Now Playing,” and given the lack of storage on Glass, it seems like it will be able to interface with an external iPhone or Android device. The update also includes a handful of labs features, which are features not yet meant for primetime and for developers to play with.
First off, there’s a labs feature entitled “VIDEO_PLAYER,” though no one has been able to figure out how it works just yet. It could be that it’s simply a way to playback videos taken with the device, but there’s always the chance of Glass being able to stream video from your phone. There is also a new Volume card that simply allows you to change the volume of your device .
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For those of you out there that have both a Tesla and a pair of Google Glass, here’s an exciting app. A developer has released an app dubbed GLASSTESLA that lets you control your Tesla via Google Glass. The app allows you to do things like manage the charging process, lock and unlock the car, honk the horn, flash the lights, and much more.
If you’ve parked your Tesla Model S somewhere and can’t find it, GLASSTESLA allows you to locate it on a map, but if that doesn’t help you can honk the horn and flash lights from the app, as well. You can also see what doors are open, as well as both the interior and exterior temperatures of the car. The biggest features, I think, surround the charging process…
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Via the official Project Glass page on Google+, Google has announced a major software update coming soon to Glass. The update includes things such as more voice commands, improved web browsing, new ways to connect with family and friends, and more.
First off, a host of new voice commands will be available with this update. If you get a text, you can now ask Glass to read it to you by saying “ok glass, read aloud” or if someone calls you, simply say “ok glass, answer call.” Finally, you can now share pictures right away by saying “ok glass, share with [name].”
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Data-protection authorities in Australia, Canada, Israel, Mexico and New Zealand have written a joint letter to Google CEO Larry Page expressing concerns about Google Glass, and asking the company eight specific questions about the product, reports ZDNet.
As you have undoubtedly noticed, Google Glass has been the subject of many articles that have raised concerns about the obvious, and perhaps less obvious, privacy implications of a device that can be worn by an individual and used to film and record audio of other people. Fears of ubiquitous surveillance of individuals by other individuals, whether through such recordings or through other applications currently being developed, have been raised. Questions about Google’s collection of such data and what it means in terms of Google’s revamped privacy policy have also started to appear …
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Google may be the first company to attempt to turn augmented reality eyewear into a mass-market product, but the concept itself is nothing new. The Augmented World Expo in Santa Clara has collected together more than 30 prototypes of augmented and virtual reality headsets, and Engadget has a comprehensive set of photos which make fascinating viewing.
We’re sharing a few of them below the break, from the crude to the close-to-Glass-like …
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Top image with update, bottom image pre-update (via Google)
Google has begun rolling out a software update for the Google Glass heads-up-display computers with major changes to the way the device takes and handles photographs. Notably, the device will now take photos in rapid succession so you can choose the best photo possible.
Glass will also take HDR pictures and the handling of photos taken in low-light scenarios has been improved. On the side of managing photos, Glass will now allow users to add captions to photos by speaking a caption out loud. Find the full release notes from Google below:
“Don’t Be Evil”
Last week we showed you a company looking to revolutionize adult content creation using Google Glass, but it looks like Google thought that was just too creepy.
Google updated its developer guidelines over the weekend to ban ‘sexually explicit material’ from the Glass ecosystem, something it doesn’t seem to mind on its Android platform:
Sexually Explicit Material: We don’t allow Glassware content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material. Google has a zero-tolerance policy against child pornography. If we become aware of content with child pornography, we will report it to the appropriate authorities and delete the Google Accounts of those involved with the distribution.
This development came as a surprise to MiKandi, the company behind the first pornographic app for Glass, according to Tech Hive:
MiKandi only became aware of the new developer policies after its app was launched. As of press time, they had not been directly contacted by Google. As for whether the updated policies may change the company’s plans, “we’re discussing that right now,” said MiKandi co-founder and Glass porn developer Jesse Adams.
Google decidedly banned facial recognition software from its Glass platform the same day MiKandi’s explicit app was making the rounds in the press, signaling Google’s intent to curate its Glass platform much like Apple curates its App Store on its hardware.
It appears Google is taking its “Don’t Be Evil” corporate motto as serious as ever with Google Glass.
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Tech blogger Robert Scoble photographed proudly using Google Glass in the shower (<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2318217/Google-Glass-HACKED-transmit-hear--experts-warn-thing-doesnt-know-thoughts.html" target="_blank">dailymail.co.uk</a>)
Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his concern last night at the D11 conference that Google Glass will likely only appeal to certain vertical markets, but I’m not entirely certain this is the type of vertical market Cook had in mind.
ZDnet has uncovered a certain niche market for Google Glass that we probably all expected: porn.
In an interview with MiKandi Co-founder Jennifer McEwen, we learn that the adult entertainment company is on the brink of debuting the first Glassware with porn in mind:
Obviously, Glass is perfect for shooting POV video, so we’re experimenting with that first. But what’s really interesting about Glass is that it’s not just a hands free camera. It can receive and send data, so there are a lot of interesting interactions that we want to explore.
Being hands-free and hassle-free is a simple but big difference Glass has over other similar devices. It’s so easy and familiar to wear, that from a shooter’s perspective it feels like you’re recording with your own eyes. Because it feels so natural, you can forget about the technology and just be in the moment.
On top of that, with Glass you can share and interact with fans and followers, allowing them intimate access to your experiences. It’s like being John Malkovich where you’re viewing the world through someone else’s eyes.
While it might not be an official app coming straight from the company (who in this case happens to be partially funded by Google), selfscreens.com points us to a new piece of Glassware developed to control the $249 Nest thermostat using Google Glass. The app, dubbed “Glass Nest” was developed by +James Rundquist who for a short time was making it available to all through his website. As highlighted in the image below, it allows users to set the temperature, set Nest to away mode, and automatically wake Nest up upon arriving home with a number of different commands for each. Keep your eye on http://www.glass-nest.com to find out when the Glassware becomes available again.
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The not-always-reliable Korea Times (via The Next Web) is reporting that the production version of Google Glass will use Samsung OLED displays to create the images instead of the projector system used in the Explorer Edition.
Google will use Samsung Display’s organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology in its upcoming Google Glass, a wearable computer with a head-mounted display, sources said Thursday.
The sources said that the company’s top management has recently approved a business proposal by Samsung Display to use its OLED screens for Google Glass …
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An iMessage notification sent to Glass
Adam Bell (@b3ll), a well-known developer for many software platforms, has figured out a way to route all notifications from an iOS device through Google Glass. The implementation, even in its early stage, seems to work quite well. Bell notes that all notifications, such as iMessages and Tweets automatically are shown via the Google Glass interface. Video and more details below:
https://twitter.com/projectglass/status/337261684433510400
We were told at I/O that Google would start sending #IfIhadglass invites out after I/O and now we have an announcement.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be slowly rolling out invitations to successful #ifihadglass applicants. If you were one of the successful applicants, please make sure you have+Project Glass in your Circles so we can send you a message.
We’re thrilled to be moving into the next phase of our Explorer Program and we hope to expand in the future. Unfortunately, we aren’t taking any more applications right now, but you can sign up here to stay informed: google.com/glass/start/how-to-get-one
https://twitter.com/projectglass/status/317719695555952640
Twitter today officially launched its own official client for Google Glass. The app has a focus on sharing photos, but also allows you to keep up with your mentions and DMs.
With Twitter for Google Glass, you can share photos to Twitter. The Tweet will automatically include the text, “Just shared a photo #throughglass.”
In addition to sharing photos, you can also keep up with the people you follow on Twitter through notifications — for mentions, DMs and Tweets from users for whom you’ve turned on notifications. As always, you can reply to, retweet or favorite these Tweets.
Those with Google Glass can grab the free app here.
In addition, Google today announced an official SDK for Google Glass. The software development kit will allow offline apps to be created for the device. The company also shared that Facebook, Tumblr, CNN, and Elle apps are on the way.
We’re live on the scene from Google’s 2013 I/O keynote, and although the event will be streamed online, we will be providing live commentary and photos on this page. Among other things, we’re expecting talk of a new Google Maps web interface and perhaps the debut of a Google-made Spotify competitor. The event starts at 9AM Pacific/ Noon Eastern time…
While the report is a little bit on the light side with specific details regarding the product, a new report from AndroidAuthority claims that a source has revealed details about a Google smartwatch as well as new updates coming to Gmail and Maps apps on Android.
According to the report, which seems to provide more questions than answers, the Android smartwatch has been floating around Google offices in Berlin, Manchester, and more recently Mountain View, which it claims signals “the watch is set for release sometime soon.” The last we heard from analysts is that Google smartwatch is scheduled for 2014 at earliest, but AndroidAuthority already claims to have details on the device:
While noting that “Functionality will be very much like Glass,” the report claims Google’s smartwatch is “not a standalone device yet” and that “It needs to be tethered to a smartphone.”
We don’t expect to see a Google smartwatch on show at Google I/O this month, and the report doesn’t offer up much in the way of confident predictions for when we might. The report added that sources say Google’s Motorola will be manufacturing the smartwatch.
Also included in the report is info on updates that are apparently coming to Google’s Maps and Gmail apps on Android devices in the near future. AndroidAuthority describes redesigned apps that will apparently borrow a lot from the most recent versions of Google’s apps on iOS:
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When talking about potential applications for Google Glass, the ability to use facial recognition is one area that we’ve seen discussed in many patents and projects from Google and others. Today, SelfScreens.com points us to perhaps the first facial recognition Glassware available with info on a new app dubbed MedRef for Glass that was recently created at a medical hackathon. The app, which was designed to allow doctors to pull up info on patients with Glass by simply recognizing their face, is being made available to download by its creators who also discussed the app in detail on their blog.
The app lets you find and create patient folders by voice, add photo and voice notes, view previous notes, and also find patient folders by facial recognition! Very exciting.Some people I talked to said hospitals are full of very busy people, often with their hands full, working with a lot of information – so Google Glass making it wearable is especially looked forward to there!”
One of the developers also gives us a walkthrough of an early build of the app in the video above showing how doctors can quickly notes about a patient that will be called up later when Glass recognizes the patient’s face.
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I trekked down to Tribeca to see these folks talk and found them inspiring. It is smart that Google is attaching its brand to these types of people/ideas.
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Google has just started pushing out an “XE5” software update for Google Glass users today and with it comes a number of new features in addition to fixes and performance enhancements. Phandroid points us to the full changelog for the update, which includes incoming Google+ notifications for direct shares, comments, and +mentions, the ability to comment and +1, incoming Hangout notifications, new crash reporting features, and much more.
With the update Glass users can also now “Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI,” access international number dialling and SMS, as well as view a new recipient-list mosaic. A full list of new features on the XE5 Google Glass update is below:
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Big picture still looks exciting, but clearly there are some significant hurdles to overcome. Video below (autostarts)
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