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Google letting curious explorers take Glass for a free spin
Glass has run the opinion gamut from "great" to "hate" to "surprisingly useful," but Google thinks you should forget all that. We just received an invitation (after the break) to several Google Glass "Basecamp" offices with the following teaser: "There's a lot of talk about Glass, but have you tried it for yourself yet?" If you're near San Francisco, LA or New York, you'll need to schedule an invitation for a fitting, service or a demo. For those worried about the original, not-so-stylish cyborg look, Google has hooked up with couture magnate Diane Von Furstenberg to create more normal eyewear designs. And of course, anybody can get them now -- as long as you're willing to burn $1,500.
UK cinemas to ban Google Glass over piracy fears
The UK's data regulator may have clarified that Google Glass shouldn't be singled out for special measures over personal use, but that isn't stopping domestic companies from enforcing their own rules. The Independent reports that just a week after the Google wearable finally went on sale in Britain for a hefty £1,000, UK cinemas are banning it over fears that "Explorers" could use them to pirate movies. "Customers will be requested not to wear these into cinema auditoriums, whether the film is playing or not," says Phil Clapp, chief executive of the Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA), which offers guidance to 90 percent of the UK's cinema providers. Movie chain Vue is enforcing a ban, asking users to remove their eyewear "as soon as the lights dim," while Odeon requests that "guests and employees do not wear Google Glasses [...] capable of recording images and video within the cinema auditorium."
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.
Theater chain bans Google Glass in a bid to cut down on piracy
If you're one of the few people in the country with a prescription Google Glass headset, you might want to keep extra glasses handy for when you go to the movies. First, some guy got booted from an AMC theater on the suspicion he was recording the film (he wasn't), and now a different theater chain has outright banned the headset. That theater company is Alamo Drafthouse, which operates in five (soon to be six) states and like AMC, it's trying to cut down on piracy. Indeed, the company's CEO Tim League said in a tweet that Glass specifically won't be allowed in auditoriums once the lights dim for previews. Fortunately, at least, you can continue to wear your headset while the house lights are up, or when you leave the screening room for a popcorn run. Once the movie starts, though, you'd better be wearing proper glasses, lest you get pegged as a movie bootlegger.
Gun company figures out how to shoot around corners using Google Glass
TrackingPoint is a startup that's building smart weapons, like rifles with targeting scopes that'll turn a rank amateur into a crack sniper. Now, the company is working on ShotView, a system that'll separate the user form the sight entirely, which is what's being demonstrated in this concept video. Pumping live video from the gun to nearby WiFi devices, the company wants smartphone, tablet and Google Glass users to be able to point their weapon around corners and over obstacles, "blind" firing with deadly accuracy. We just hope someone makes the Diane Von Furstenberg frames a mandatory accessory, or future battlefields are going to be sorely lacking in style.
Google's first fashionable Glass frames are designed by Diane Von Furstenberg
Diane Von Furstenberg may be better known for wrap dresses than wraparound shades, but her fashion label has actually been a long-term collaborator with Google Glass. The partnership has now resulted in a new "DVF" collection of Glass options, including five new frames and eight new shades with which to customize (and perhaps soften) your futuristic appearance. They'll be available to Explorers in the US from June 23rd, both via Google's own site and from Net-a-porter, although there's no word on how much extra you'd need to spend beyond the $1,500 cost of the beta device itself. On the same day, Google's own Titanium collection will also become available through the Mr Porter online store. Meanwhile, we're still waiting on more sporty options from the likes of Oakley and Ray-Ban, although these might not arrive until Google Glass finally shifts into full commercial mode.
Google Glass lead electrical engineer joins Oculus VR team
Building a new entertainment medium requires lots of money and very talented engineers. Facebook ensured that Oculus VR has plenty of the former, and now the company has set its sights on the latter goal, by hiring Google Glass lead electrical engineer Adrian Wong. Though neither Wong nor his new employers have publicly announced the move, TechCrunch recently discovered that Wong's LinkedIn profile now lists him as an Oculus VR employee. According to LinkedIn, his tenure at Oculus began earlier this month, following an April 2014 departure from Google. It's currently unknown what Wong is doing at Oculus VR, though he describes his role as "building the metaverse." Normally that would read like a succinct, non-answer designed to avoid offering any useful information, but it takes on interesting connotations following recent comments from Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe in which the executive envisions a massively multiplayer online world populated by a billion living, breathing humans. We've attempted to contact both Facebook and Oculus VR for more information on Wong's new role, but have yet to receive a response. [Image: Oculus VR]
Google Glass community goes on charm offensive, plans a #glassnightout
Glass has gotten a bad rep over the past few months, particularly in bars where other patrons mistakenly think Explorers are recording their every move (or they actually are). To help improve that image, Google is encouraging owners to go out on the town this Saturday night wearing their high-tech glasses. To some, a bar full of Glass wearers might sound like the Worst Saturday Night Ever, but the hope is the cyborg masses will be able to educate the public a little better than when they're flying solo. The #GlassNightOut also offers the opportunity to mix and mingle with other Explorers -- a rare experience if you're living somewhere outside of San Francisco, and probably a lot more fun than going on Field Trip by your lonesome. If you're interested in checking out one of the Meetups this weekend, hit the source link for a full list of participating cities and locations. Not a people person? Well, Google Glass might be the wingman you've been looking for. Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Weekends with Engadget: Nokia joins Microsoft, lost Andy Warhol artwork and more!
Welcome to Weekends with Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines from the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. For even more action, subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
Daily Roundup: rediscovered Andy Warhol art, Google Glass available to all, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
In honor of Earth Day, Google expands 'Giving through Glass' program
In honor of Earth Day (today, that is), Google's announcing another wave of its Giving through Glass program for non-profit organizations. The program, originally launched late last year, equips groups including the World Wildlife Fund and Give Directly with Google's wearable computer, with the goal of "bringing more transparency to philanthropy." Now, Mountain View is looking to partner with another five nonprofits -- submissions are open today through May 20th, and the selected organizations will win a $25,000 grant in addition to Google's hardware. Nonprofits can head here to apply, and everyone can head past the break to check out a WWF researcher using Glass while tracking rhinos in Nepal.
Apple expands its recycling program and other news from April 21, 2014
On this Earth Day, Apple has expanded its free recycling program to include any Apple product, no matter the age. While not all products will be eligible for a gift card when traded in, Apple will take any item produced in its 30-year history in an effort to avert more electronic waste from reaching landfills. You can read more about Apple's efforts to grow the use of renewable energy in its business and watch the "Better" video (narrated by Tim Cook) at the apple.com/environment page. Other stories from Monday afternoon include: The Hollywood Reporter reports that director Danny Boyle is in talks with Sony Pictures to direct the Walter Issacson-book biopic of Steve Jobs. And those talks include a possibility of Leonardo DiCaprio starring as Steve Jobs. Version 2.0 of Dropbox's Mailbox has been released, with the addition of an auto-swipe feature and the use of Dropbox to sync preferences across devices. Google Glass will be adding SMS capabilities for iPhone users later this week. Catch up with these features: Narrative Clip lifelogging camera: Hands-on with the wearable photo capture device Find Tinder too ambiguous? Heavenly Sinful is here to help. The 25 best Game Boy games to play on your iPhone Dear Aunt TUAW: Why don't my searches work in Safari anymore? Apple renewable energy use grows from 35 to 95 percent in less than 4 years Mac 101: A handy list of startup options for Macs running OS X Rumor Roundup: Validity not confirmed
Google apes Warby Parker, lets you try on Glass before you buy
Tempted by Google's Glass headset, but worried it'll make you look like a doofus? It's a legitimate concern, but there's hope: Google is now sending out non-functional dummy units that you can try on at home. Potential Explorers were sent an email advertising a "home try-on kit" with four Google Glass frame styles in four colors - all titanium, of course. After trying on the frames and picking a favorite, participants send the units back with pre-paid labels. Easy. The trial program isn't listed on the official Glass website yet, but anyone can sign up by calling 855-9Glass9. The cost of pretending you have Mountain View's most exclusive accessory? Absolutely free, though Google will put a $50 hold on your credit card until you return the headgear. Just because it doesn't work doesn't mean the company doesn't want it back.
Don't forget: The one-day Google Glass public sale starts soon!
Your taxes are (hopefully) done, you've had your first cup of coffee... now what? Google wants to jump-start your Tuesday by offering even non-Explorers its Glass wearable for $1,500. As many of you said yesterday, that's kinda steep, but today marks the first day the product is open to the public -- until supplies run out, that is. Google Glass will go on sale at this link starting at 6AM PT/9AM ET, and we recommend showing up on time.
Anyone can sign up to buy Google Glass tomorrow; will you?
Tomorrow, as most everyone in the US knows, is tax day. It's also the one day where Google will open up the sale of its Glass wearable to the general public, meaning you won't need that Explorer invite to nab a pair. What you will need is $1,500, a US shipping address and a healthy dose of realism about the limitations of Google Glass as it currently exists. That's right; even though the curtain of exclusivity around the product is slowly but surely lifting, Glass is still very much in the beta stage, with short battery life and a limited number of apps. Plenty of you have voiced suspicions that Google made this one-day-only event for the sole purpose of selling out of units and making headlines. Maybe so, but it's still a good opportunity for the curious who may have hefty tax rebates heading their way. If you want to take the plunge, make sure to point your browser here tomorrow at 6AM Pacific on the dot, as supplies are indeed limited. In the meantime, tell us if you're planning to splurge tomorrow in our poll below the break.
NYC restaurant inspectors could soon wear video cameras
Wearable cameras could soon see a more practical application than thrill-capturing GoPros. A new bill introduced by Republican Minority Leader Vincent Ignizio would bring wearable cameras to NYC restaurant inspectors. With more than 20 co-sponsors already on board, the legislation outlines plans to launch a year-long pilot program that would use cameras (attached to the body or clothing) to document sanitary inspections across the city's five boroughs -- with the intention of collecting evidence in cases where business owners claim inspections are unfair. Not every joint from Manhattan to Queens will see a Google Glass-equipped city employee strolling through the door; the pilot would only equip about 10 percent of inspectors with wearable tech. And Glass may not be the wearable of choice, either -- Ignizio said the pilot will cost $15,000 tops, with cameras priced at "several hundred dollars each." Then again, a government contract would be plenty profitable for the folks at Mountain View. It wouldn't hurt to promote the more practical applications of the company's $1,500 wearable, either.
First UK Google Glass trial gives Parkinson's sufferers more independence
Before Glass becomes a publicly available product, Google's quietly embarked on a campaign to get its iconic eyewear into the hands of those who can use it to tackle complex issues. After it gifted five pairs to researchers at Newcastle University, Google's allowed its wearable to undergo its first UK medical trial, where it's being used to support people suffering from Parkinson's disease. Researchers want to help patients live more independently, and they're already seeing results.
Broadcast your point of view with Livestream's new Google Glass app
NAB 2014 wouldn't be the same without Livestream, one of the internet's most popular broadcasting services, introducing new hardware or software. As such, Livestream has just announced another way for users to share video on its site: an application for Google Glass. Obviously, Livestream isn't the first to bring this feature to the wearable set, since you can already use the search giant's own Hangouts app to broadcast what you're seeing.
Layar brings its augmented reality to Google Glass
Augmented reality is fun and all, but holding your phone to your face always seemed, to us, like too much effort. Layar agrees, which is why the outfit has now brought its AR secret sauce to Google Glass. Once the APK is installed, saying "OK Glass, scan this" will see the head-mounted wearable find additional content for your right eye. Considering the company's print expertise, most of these will involve extra value material from magazines, but could also be used to examine maps and real estate listings. The video after the jump says you could also watch movie trailers just by staring at a poster -- assuming that you don't mind your fellow cinema goers thinking you're a bit odd.
Android Wear: Zen and the art of smartwatch design
Are you ready for a smartwatch that knows where you are, what information is important to you and, above all, wants you to forget that you're even wearing it? That seems to be the basic idea behind Google's Android Wear platform, which promises to deliver contextual, relevant information to you whenever you need it, while fading into the background when you don't. With today's announcement of the Android Wear platform for wearables, much of the discussion has revolved around how Google is following the Android smartphone playbook and focusing on creating an ecosystem that can accommodate multiple manufacturers, with a range of products with different price points and feature sets. And Google has lined up an impressive list of partners, including smartphone makers HTC, LG and Motorola; chipmaker and smartwatch-wannabe Qualcomm; and watchmaker Fossil. Even Samsung, which just last month held a splashy launch for its latest round of Gear smartwatches, is in on the game.
