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Shazam, Duolingo and several other apps head to Google Glass
Just ahead of Google I/O, a slew of new Google Glass apps are hitting the MyGlass store. The new downloads include the popular music-recognizing service Shazam and Duolingo, which offers free foreign-language courses. Two fitness-focused apps, Runtastic and 94Fifty Basketball, are also new additions to the Glassware family. Rounding out the list are the GuidiGO personal tour guide, an app for The Guardian, Livestream, MusicXmatch, Goal.com and the game Zombies, Run! Finally, the Allthecooks app has been updated with voice commands, so you can use Glass hands-free while following recipes.
Someone made machines that play music with pint glasses
Forget skimming the edge of your pint glass to make music -- how about some real alcohol-inspired instruments? Inventor Andy Cavatorta has built the Chalice Symphony, a quartet of devices that use Stella Artois' signature drinking glasses to produce some decidedly uncommon sounds. Each of the instruments is surprisingly technology-laden. The Star Harp can use robotics to play itself, while the Pyrophone you see here relies on software-controlled torches to create flute-like notes. The Hive (a keyboard-driven cluster of bells) and the Violina (a spinning string-like instrument) also use complex machinery. There are currently just a few teaser videos to hint at what the symphony can do, but you'll get an earful soon -- Cold War Kids will release a track in early March that was performed using the glass-based gadgets. We have a hunch that it's worth waiting for the song, even if you're not a fan of Belgian pilsners.
Firefighter developing Google Glass apps to help with response and rescue
For all the potential of Google's face-based hardware, we haven't seen many uses beyond the cool and novel that are any more than noble ideas. Not for firefighter Patrick Jackson, though, who's combined his talents for programming and winning wearables to create apps that help him and others out on the job. At this point, his software can push emergency calls to Glass and direct responders to locations and nearby hydrants with Google Maps. Currently, he's working on being able to pull up floor plans and other relevant information about buildings before entry, as well as vehicle diagrams and instructions for aiding in-car rescues. Jackson's #ifihadglass application also outlines the many benefits of streaming live video from an incident, so all he appears to have overlooked thus far is a warning system for Kurt Russell's worst enemy.
Hyundai's 2015 Genesis will let you lock the doors through Google Glass
Tired of reaching into your pocket just to lock your car's doors? You won't have to when Hyundai rolls out the 2015 Genesis sedan next year. The automaker plans to launch a Blue Link app for Google Glass that offers Genesis owners the same remote services they'd get through a smartphone, including basic remote control, maintenance updates and the option of sending Google Maps directions to the car. Drivers won't be stuck using Google's eyewear, as Hyundai promises Blue Link support for other wearables. Convenience won't be cheap when you'll need to buy both the car and at least one piece of exotic technology, but the solution will certainly be more affordable than its unofficial Tesla equivalent.
Google Glass XE 12 update lets you wink to capture photos, adds new Hangouts and YouTube glassware
MyGlass for iOS isn't the only big news to come out of Google's Glass camp today. Turns out, the company's issuing a major update, dubbed XE 12, for the intelligent eyewear that not only makes the complete Glass-to-iOS bridge possible, but also bundles in a few other bells, whistles and, yes, winks. Let's start there, shall we? Before today, the only way to take a photo with a wink was by way of a third-party app. But now, Google's baked that functionality directly into the Explorer Edition of Glass, making those sly creepster shots even easier. Glassware's also getting a major boost with the addition of Hangouts, for those of you that want to send SMS, chats or even video calls from your head, and YouTube for simple Glass video uploads. Apart from that significant feature boost, the Glassware for Google Play Music now offers explorers the ability to navigate by playlists or, if they're All Access subscribers, radio stations. XE 12 brings some much needed security along with it, too, giving Explorers the option to set a screen lock that turns on when you take Glass off or deactivate it. And because shooting off messages with the obnoxious "Sent Through Glass" was a little too... obnoxious, Google's cut that outgoing signature from SMS, though it'll still be present on all outgoing emails. Know what else is getting the axe? Guest Mode. According to Google, the feature was just too much of a strain for its devs to maintain, so if you want to impress with Glass, just hand'em over freely or take Google's advice and create a demo account. And finally, because Google likes to be cute, you can now ask Glass for helpful caloric counts or even "How far to Brooklyn?" (the answer: No Sleep Til Brooklyn) -- because everyone, even Google, loves the Beastie Boys.
Google now inviting developers to buy Glass
Now that Google has offered a preview of Glass' SDK and opened the Mirror API to all developers, it has a strong incentive to get its eyewear in the hands of app writers. Accordingly, the crew in Mountain View is now inviting developers to buy Glass' Explorer Edition; you'll find one such invitation pictured above. We've asked Google about the scale of the expanded Explorer program, and we'll let you know if it can provide more details. Whether or not it can, the widened reach is good news for Glassware producers eager to test their code on real devices. [Thanks, Josh]
Google offers 'sneak peek' of Glass development kit, shows Glassware can actually be useful
So far, development on Glass has been extremely limited by the tools put in the hands of app creators. Namely the Mirror API with its constant need for an internet connection and limited functionality. The newly released Glass Development Kit (or at least an extremely early version of it) puts many more arrows in the quiver of coders. For one, apps can be built completely for offline use and can now directly access to Glass' hardware. This will allow Glassware to be made with the same capabilities as Google's own creations. It also introduces a few new features, including "live cards" which, like Windows Live Tiles, feature constantly updating information. Where as the static timeline cards live to the right of the home screen on Glass, live cards are found with a swipe to the left. Exercise app Strava has a demo version of an app that keeps details about your jog or bike ride constantly updating on a live card, including distance and speed.
Google's Timothy Jordan: Glass is a complete break from the past
Many wonder whether Google Glass has legs as a technology. Will we still be using it (and talking about it) years from now? If you ask Google's Senior Developer Advocate Timothy Jordan, absolutely. Speaking at Expand in New York, he described the wearable eyepiece as a fundamental shift in user interface concepts that will remain exciting for a long time to come. There has even been a surprise or two for Google itself, he says.
Google Glass developers will get their first crack at its SDK later this month
Developers seeking to create apps for Google's Glass headset have had limited options so far, but the company will break things wide open during a two-day hackathon -- like the ones held earlier this year to show off its Mirror API -- starting on the 19th. An invite sent out today describes a San Francisco event where a group of developers can test out the Glassware Development Kit. Until now, devs have been able to practice on the regular Android SDK, but after the GDK arrives they'll be properly equipped to build apps that work offline and have direct access to the hardware. All this comes just as the Glass program opens up to wider audiences, but we'll have to wait couple of more weeks to find out what else is in store. Can't make it to SF? No worries -- the invite promises "the announcement" will be recorded after the event, while office hours will also be available in NYC and LA next month.
Google Glassware Review Process opens, gives devs a path to MyGlass listing
Developers eagerly working on services for the Google Glass headset finally have a clear avenue for release, now that the Glassware Review Process is ready. By completing the steps listed, they can receive additional Mirror API quota and get listed on MyGlass, while we wait for the SDK to arrive and enable development of offline apps with direct hardware access. Several services have already been through the ringer and are newly available, including SportsYapper, Fancy, Mashable, KitchMe (shown above) and Thuuz. The list of requirements is publicly available and covers elements like icons, design, menus and more. We've seen a few interesting developments appear for Google Glass already, if you're in the developer program and see anything new pop up, let us know.
Fidelity Market Monitor app brings stock alerts, news and fanciful financials to Google Glass
You know, it makes sense: an app for the one percent, tailor-made for a $1,500 headset. Fidelity's Market Monitor app for Google Glass might just be the most impressive program to debut for the device, particularly considering the class of individual who would take advantage. In the trading world, missing an alert or notification by even three seconds could be the difference between million and millions, with this app enabling Fidelity customers to request real-time stock quotes and receive alerts dealing with companies in their portfolio. In a concept video describing what's possible (embedded just after the break), we even see a wearer snap a photo of a Google logo, and the app translates the photo into a stock quote for GOOG. We're guessing that it's only a matter of time before every other financial institution follows suit, which will likely lead to each and every CNBC anchor wearing a set whilst on air. Also, we're hearing from a "reliable source" that both Michael Douglas and Shia LaBeouf will be joined by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Wall Street: Glass on Glass on Glass.
Google posts Glass FAQ tackling policy and technology concerns
Google has nearly finished rolling out Glass to Explorer Program members, but many of us still have questions while the technology remains rare. The company is satisfying some of that curiosity today: it just posted a FAQ that explains Glass beyond the hardware. While there are no revelations in store, the page goes out of its way to address some of the controversies surrounding Glass, including app policies, privacy concerns and the risk of technology addiction. It's doubtful that the FAQ will please everyone, but those who just have to get some official answers on Glass can find them at the source link.
Google: 'We won't be approving any facial recognition Glassware at this time'
While the public decides how to deal with Google Glass-wearing cyborgs walking among us, there are already startups trying to add facial recognition to the device. That includes the MedRef for Glass app for Doctors and an API created by Lambda Labs that's on the way. Unfortunately, apparently due to privacy concerns, a post tonight by the Project Glass team says that it will not approve any app using the tech for release -- at least until it has some privacy protections in place. That's the same standard it previously said would need to be met before it added facial recognition to its own services. We've been listening closely to you, and many have expressed both interest and concern around the possibilities of facial recognition in Glass. As Google has said for several years, we won't add facial recognition features to our products without having strong privacy protections in place. With that in mind, we won't be approving any facial recognition Glassware at this time. Without approval, we don't expect to see any standard apps with the API built-in, however with the headset's current wide open nature, we assume interested hackers will be able to get the software running if they so desire. So, how comfortable do you feel having a conversation with someone wearing Glass, considering third parties may add extra features even if Google itself is not involved? Check out the full statement from Google linked below, as well as a look at Lambda Labs from TechCrunch.
Google Glass snags unofficial Facebook photo sharing
Sure, Glass Explorers can post photos to Google+ with the high-tech headsets straight out of the box, but sharing to other sites requires additional glassware. While Facebook has yet to out its own app for Glass, an unofficial application dubbed Glass To Facebook has just arrived, allowing Google's adventurers to post images to the social network. Hooking up the the app appears to be an easy affair, consisting of granting the software access to a user's Google and Facebook accounts, and enabling it with Zuckerberg's crew. After that, Mountain View's headgear guinea pigs will be able to snap pictures and shoot them to Facebook. Count yourself as a lucky Google Glass owner? Hit the link below to grab Glass To Facebook.
