PC Tech World: glass

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Monday, April 22, 2013

'Eye gestures' spotted in Google Glass app code, hints at wink-based photography

Eye gestures spotted in Google Glass code might offer winkbased photos

While perusing the code for Google Glass's companion Android app, Reddit user Fodawim chanced across several lines of code that could offer up some interesting navigation options for your Glass. Titled 'eye gestures,' it looks like the wearable's built-in sensors should be able to detect eye activity and integrate that into device input. Two lines of code mention enabling and disabling eye gestures, suggesting it'll be an optional feature, while other lines hint that it would have to be calibrated to your wink before use. Get your well-timed slow-wink at the ready, however, as the final line spotted suggests that a wink gesture can command the 5-megapixel camera to capture whatever you're looking at. Google was already granted a patent for unlocking a screen using eye-tracking information, although wink-based commands sounds a shade easier to deal with -- as long as it doesn't think we're blinking.

Via: Glass-apps

Source: Reddit

Friday, April 19, 2013

Google CEO Larry Page confirms: yes, Google Glass runs on Android

We suspected it from the outset, but up until now, we haven't actually heard it confirmed from the mouth of a Google honcho: Google Glass runs on Android. The tidbit was dropped on today's earnings call, with CEO Larry Page uttering: "Obviously, Glass runs on Android, so [Android] has been pretty transportable across devices, and I think that will continue." The response was given to a question regarding engagement increment, but Page stopped short of divulging details about version type. We're guessing it does a fine job of integrating snippets of Google Now, however, so make of that what you will.

Source: TechCrunch

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Glass Explorer Edition gets unboxed, photographed (video)

We already know what Page and Co. will be packing along with Glass, but now that participants of the Explorer program have begun picking up the wearable hardware, we're getting a second-hand unboxing experience. For those in need of a refresher, the glasses will be accompanied by a microUSB cable and charger, a pouch and an attachable shade and clear lens. Though there isn't much to glean from the stream of images, one of Mountain View's adventurers noticed that users will be able to send navigation directions straight from a smartphone to the eyewear. Click the source links below to take a gander at the photos, or hit the jump to watch a video shot with Glass by a Googler.

Update: We've slotted in a video after the break of Glass user Dan McLaughlin extracting his device from its packaging. The footage is a bit choppy, but it certainly provides a closer look at the hardware.

Source: Brandon Allgood (Google+), Cecilia Abadie (Google+), Matt Abdou (Google+), Dan McLaughlin

More Coverage: Life with Glass

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Google Glass support page lists tech specs for camera, battery, audio and display

The trickle of Google Glass details (they're shipping, the API is available and an Android companion app is live) has suddenly turned into a flood tonight, as 9to5Google points out a support page listing the device's technical specs. While we knew some bits about its capabilities (some of which were explained in a patent application), the official list reveals its display will be equivalent to a 25-inch HD screen viewed from eight feet away, while it's camera does 5MP stills and 720p video. It packs 16GB of storage onboard, 12GB of which are available to the wearer. Audio is transferred via a bone conduction transducer, while its wireless capabilities include Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11 b/g. There's a micro-USB charger included with it and the battery is expected to last a "full day of typical use" although video and Google Hangouts will drain it more quickly. Also published is an FAQ for things like "Is it ok to go scuba diving with Glass?" (A: No, jackhammering is also probably out, while laws concerning mobile devices and driving may rule out use behind the wheel as well), covering things any Explorers should know before their headset arrives.

Via: 9to5Google

Source: Google Glass Tech Specs, FAQ

Google Glass API documentation now live, Glassware sample code provided

Google painted the broad strokes of its Mirror API for Glass at SXSW in March, and now it's released comprehensive documentation, replete with example code. Despite the fact that the application programming interface is still in a limited developer preview, you can dig in and read up on everything from location features to timeline cards. The cheeky devs in Mountain View also announced that they've named services for the spectacles "Glassware." In case you missed the presentation in Austin, you can catch a handful of videos with Glass developer evangelist Timothy Jordan condensing the API basics. Hit the source link below to dive into the docs, and to download client libraries for the eyewear written in Dart, Go, Java, PHP, Python, Ruby and .NET.

Via: Google Developers (Google+)

Source: Google Glass (Google Developers)

MyGlass companion app arrives on Google Play, Glass setup page goes live

Between word that Explorer Editions are being produced, a reveal of spec details and documentation for the Mirror API being published, it's been a busy night for Google Glass announcements. Now, Mountain View has pushed up the hardware's Android companion app, dubbed MyGlass, to Google Play. Sure, you can download it on any device toting Android 4.0.3 or higher, but Page and Co. say, "If you don't have Glass, then downloading this will be a waste of time." Launching the app takes users through a setup process for the eyewear, which the search behemoth has made available on a webpage as well. Google's also posted a "help" directory to give folks unfamiliar with the glasses a tour of the spectacles. Hit the source links below for the app, the setup experience and the newly added overview of the device.

Via: Android Police

Source: MyGlass (Google Play), Glass Setup, Glass Help

Friday, April 12, 2013

Google forms the Glass Collective to invest in eye technology entrepreneurs

Google forms the Glass Collective to invest in eyewear tech entrepreneurs

Google believes that it's naive to build a wearable technology like Google Glass and expect successful businesses to simply materialize from thin air; those firms will need a financial nudge, too. Accordingly, Google is forming the Glass Collective to invest in projects centering on its eyewear. The partnership will see Google Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers unite on seed funding for those US-based startups which show promise in areas like communication and navigation. The group hasn't named any targets for its cash, but it's obviously very early days for both Glass and the Collective -- Google needs more developers in the field before it can shower companies with support.

Update: According to TechCrunch, Google mentioned during the event that it hopes to get Glass hardware into developers hands "in the next month." Since it started preregistering folks at last year's I/O event, we'd also hope they will arrive in time for this year's Google I/O and inevitable skydive-to-stage live stream.

Via: Google Official Blog

Source: Glass Collective, TechCrunch

More Coverage: CNN Money

Saturday, March 2, 2013

JetBlue dreams of an airport with Google Glass, forgets to include lost luggage

Google has been asking prospective Glass owners how they would use the eyewear if they had the chance. The team at JetBlue did more than write a hashtagged post and call it a day: the airline posted mockups of its vision for how Google Glass would work at the airport. Its concept would mostly save passengers from the labyrinthine mess they know today by popping up useful alerts and directions in the right locations, such as flight times at the gate or (our favorite) the locations of those seemingly invisible power outlets. Of course, JetBlue's images don't necessarily reflect the final product, if there even is one. It's not the likely gap between theory and practice that we're worried about, mind you -- we just have trouble believing in an airport where our flights are on time.

Via: Skift

Source: JetBlue (Google+)

More Coverage: Business Insider

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Google Glass hackathon in pictures: geeks get coding on headgear of the future

Google Glass hackathon in pictures geeks galore in

You might remember that Google decided to host a little get together with those lucky "explorers" that pre-ordered Glass. Well, no one is allowed to tell us a darn thing about what went down thanks to those pesky NDAs the devs were required to sign. But, the folks at Mountain View didn't want us to feel completely left out, so they posted a bunch of pictures from the hackathons so we could get a glimpse at what it's like to be granted early access. Predictably, what you get is a bunch of geeks wearing computers while typing on computers. In total the "pioneers" built 80 new ways to use Glass, at least one of which we're sure involved viewing pornography (that's a right of passage for all new tech), and eight winning teams picked up the grand prize -- Google footing the bill for their Explorer Edition headset. We've got one more image after the break, but you can peruse the entire gallery at the source link.

Source: Google Developers (Google+)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

LG reveals 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro design with curved glass

Clearly, a lot of us wanted LG to reveal the design of the 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro as quickly as possible: just a day after a teaser, we're looking at the complete picture. And it's quite a looker, by all counts. While it has the familiar digital cube pattern on the back, it's also using curved glass in black or white, which LG says produces a "2.5D" effect. Those other details that LG is willing to divulge are largely what we expected based on the Japanese edition, including a full HD (1080p) display and a quad-core processor that's likely the Snapdragon S4 Pro. LG expects the larger G Pro to launch in late February, although it didn't say whether or not this is limited to South Korea; based on the timing, though, we might get a peek at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. LG Optimus G Pro 5.5-inchSee all photoswhen.eng("eng.galleries.init")

Source: LG Electronics (Facebook), Korea Newswire (translated)

Monday, February 11, 2013

NYT: Apple experimenting with wrist-worn iOS devices using curved glass (updated)

Rumors of Apple building a watch-like device have existed since time immemorial -- they've built up the same near-mythical status that the iPhone did pre-2007, or a TV set does today. The New York Times, however, claims that the watch concept exists as more than just some fan art. Reportedly, Apple has been "experimenting" with wrist-wearable devices that would run iOS and use curved glass. Other details are left to feverish speculation, although the OS choice suggests it would be more than just a glorified iPod nano watch. Before we get too excited, we'd do well to remember that any testing in a design lab doesn't equate to production plans: the company might well scrap its work before it ever becomes public, if it's indeed real to start with. Still, there have been enough advances in flexible displays and miniaturization that the notion of connected, wearable Apple gear is no longer as far-fetched as it once seemed.

Update: Not to be left out, the Wall Street Journal has made a similar claim. It adds that Apple has explored possibilities with its contract manufacturer Foxconn, although there's not much more to learn at this stage.

Source: New York Times

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Google aiming to build $82 million aircraft facility at SJC, probably launch more Project Glass demos from it

DNP Google trying to secure an aircraft facility at San Jose International Airport

It's no secret that Google has an interest in the automotive industry, but over the years the popular search engine has also managed to amass quite the collection of aircrafts. So much in fact, the company is in the process of inking an $82 million construction deal that would bring its fleet to Mineta San Jose International Airport. Pending city council approval, the privately funded facility would generate an annual $2.6 million rent lease, around $400,000 in fuel revenues and create 236 jobs. If agreed upon, the 29-acre Googleport will take up to two years to build and will include an executive terminal along with hangers to house the company's private Boeing 737 and 747 jets. Google currently parks its jets at Moffett Federal Airfield, where the company has offered to renovate NASA Ames' Hanger One in exchange for two-thirds of its facility space to house its planes. There's no word if either deal will affect the other, but as it stands San Jose's city council is expected to vote on its proposal sometime in April.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Mercury News

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Google still figuring out how people might make use of Google Glass

Project Glass is really interesting, an eyeglass form factor which projects images and data directly in the view of the wearer. There are certainly a host of applications that can utilize this new technology, we can agree on that. Google agrees, but is still trying to figure that last part out.

The project leader for Glass, Babak Parviz gave an interview to IEEE Spectrum said it plainly when asked about upcoming specific features, “The feature set for the device is not set yet. It is still in flux.” That is perfectly understandable, after all, if Google had it all figured out by now Glass would be on the market. Certainly there will be a viable business model for glass though, right? “That is still being worked on, but we are quite interested in providing the hardware.”

One area where Glass will certainly shine will be in tight integration with Google Now, and Parviz also sees that as a compelling feature to expect. In terms of what the vision is right now for how people might use Glass, the perspective is quite broad, no so much augmented reality as much as enable pictorial and video communication. Beyond that though, Google is still working on other practical uses.

When asked if anyone had written any applications for Glass, Parviz explained the obvious complexities since Glass is not a smartphone. The way people will interact with it will be totally different, mostly likely through a touch interface on their smartphone or possibly through head gestures. One ray of good news is that there are currently no plans to have Glass display advertising.

For developers that are interested in writing apps for Glass, Google plans on offering a cloud-based API which is identical to the API Google has used to build and test its email and calendar apps for Glass. Another area that Google is focusing on is power efficiency. Despite video being such power hog, Google is targeting enough efficiency to allow a full day’s use of Glass.

In terms of safety, the device should be properly calibrated to eliminate any eye strain and minimize other safety risks. Hopefully, we will see developer devices available sometime in the first half of 2013 with a commercial release later in the year, or early 2014.

sources: IEEE Spectrum via BGR

View the original article here

By: Dilusha On 10:45 PM

Google Glass features 'still in flux', no plans to display advertising on device

It's been a few months since we heard anything new about Google Glass -- fortunately, IEEE Spectrum has managed get a few questions answered by the project's lead, Babak Parviz. While noting that Google Now could be "very compelling" on the new hardware, he stopped short of saying that it would make an outing on the headset. There will, however, be a cloud-based API, which Parviz hopes will help to maintain a consistent user experience -- it's already been used to build both the email and calendar functions on Glass. Perhaps more importantly, when asked whether Google Glass would display advertising to its users, the project lead said that there were no plans for ads on the device. Google's keeping it vague with a precise feature list, but hardware-wise, Parviz says that the team is aiming for the headwear to last a full day on a single charge, with work still underway on head gestures -- still likely to be the least subtle input option alongside the (now patented) trackpad and voice commands. He added that the product is still on track to ship to those early 'explorers' early this year -- we're already polishing our glass block in anticipation.

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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Apple patents a method to refine curved glass for displays and beyond

The curved screens of Samsung's Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus helped them stand out in the smartphone crowd, but it's clearer than ever that the company doesn't have a lock on the idea. Apple is exploring the concept as well: it just received a patent for a technique that molds thin glass into bent or curved shapes without a drawn-out process or using risky chemicals. By having alignment tools shift along with hotter temperatures during a glass slumping process, where the material shapes itself around a mold, Apple can bend glass without any interference -- leading to curvy surfaces that are both quicker to make and higher quality. A patent doesn't mean that we'll see a curved iPhone in the immediate future, though. Apple leaves its options open and suggests that anything from mice to TVs could be candidates, should the company take action at all. If the patent ever applies to real-world products, however, we'll have an inkling as to how the bendy shapes came to be.