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Google's opening up Glass to everyone for one day only (good luck getting one)
Until now, Google Glass has been quite the exclusive club: either you bought one at Google's 2013 I/O conference, or you called in a favor from a friend who did. Now, though, for one day only, Google is letting anyone buy in. The company just announced that on April 15th anyone with $1,500 (and a US shipping address) can purchase the headset. You might want to set an alarm, though: sales start at 6AM Pacific time that day, and we're not sure what Google means when it says "the number of spots available is limited." (Whatever it is, we hope Google can avoid a site crash this time.) It's also unclear if Google will offer such a deal again at some point in the future, or if it will extend the promotion to users outside the US. We've reached out for comment and will of course update this post if we hear more.
Google invites Glass Explorer Edition owners to upgrade their eyewear
Google promised early Glass wearers that they could eventually upgrade to next-generation Explorer hardware, and that moment is finally at hand. The company is now inviting owners to swap devices through a free mail exchange before February 5th. While the upgrade isn't mandatory, Google warns that it's only developing with the newer Explorer Edition in mind -- there's no guarantee that new accessories or software will work on old models. The invitation is more of a push than a gentle nudge, then, but we doubt that many Glass users will complain about a free update. Check out an excerpt from the invitation after the break.
Google Glass no longer requires tethering plan for smartphone data sharing
An Explorer Edition of Glass is already a pricey piece of tech, and smartphone tethering plans required to give it a mobile internet connection have only made ownership that much more expensive. However, there's good news for Google's guinea pigs: the latest update to the headgear quietly implemented a way around the additional monthly fees. With XE9 loaded onto headsets, the companion Android app pipes data to and from the hardware, bypassing both the smartphone's Bluetooth tethering settings and extra plan previously needed from some carriers. To match the change, the application's notification icon sports two arrows to signify the flow of info. We doubt telcos will be fazed by this development for now, but we don't know if that'll hold once Glass arrives on shelves and hits the streets en masse. We've contacted Google to find out if the feature will make it to retail units.
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 Glass update adds web browsing, widens voice commands (update: images)
Google has delivered a steady stream of Glass updates since the Explorer Edition launched, but its new July upgrade may be the biggest yet -- it addresses several of our earliest gripes. Wearers can now answer phone calls or have messages read aloud. It's also now possible to call or message any Gmail contact, not just the top ten. Oh, and that hidden web browser? It's now public: Glass owners can ask to see a favorite page and navigate using the touchpad. If you're one of the precious few to sport Google's eyewear, you should automatically receive the much-improved firmware in the next few days; we've already heard of at least one user getting the upgrade today. Update: We now have screenshots of how browsing works in the update -- check them out below. %Gallery-192872%
Google Glass Bulletproof app gives the wearable a lock screen (video)
In our review of the Explorer edition of Google Glass, we were surprised at the lack of security features -- there's nothing to stop anyone from picking up your pair, accessing your data and having complete control. We're obviously not the only ones to have noticed this, and developer Mike DiGiovanni, who has his own set of high-tech specs, has come up with an app to alleviate those worries. Called Bulletproof, the app registers when Glass parts from face and engages a lock screen, which can then be disabled with a user-defined combination of swipes and taps on the wearable's touchpad. A brief video demo of the app is available below, and those with the hardware will likely know how to get it loaded using the files linked at the source. It's good to see the dev community already putting out useful software, but it does make you wonder why Google didn't think of it first.
Google I/O keynote roundup: Project Glass, Nexus 7, Nexus Q and Jelly Bean
Did you keep up with everything Google announced at today's I/O keynote? Believe us, we had a difficult time too. Covering everything from Jelly Bean to jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, there was plenty to keep the audience oohing and ahhing. It makes sense to have this plethora of news in one handy place, right? After the break you'll find every piece of action that Sergey and Friends covered in Moscone West this morning -- as well as the video of the keynote -- so make sure to save a little extra time for yourself to enjoy every last bit of it.
Google unveils $1,500 Project Glass Explorer Edition, takes pre-orders for 2013 only at Google I/O
We've been wondering when non-Googlers could get their hands on Project Glass in earnest, and now we know: the company is opening up pre-orders for Glass Explorer Edition, a developer version of its heads-up display glasses. How much it's changed from the prototypes isn't yet known, but Google has said that it's been steadily working on refining the hardware along with the software. Sadly, the first crack at the wearable technology isn't coming to the broader masses just yet. Orders are only available to Google I/O attendees, and they cost a pretty hefty $1,500 for their release sometime next year. Check out our full coverage of Google I/O 2012's opening keynote at our event hub!
