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Baby steps toward better wearables at Computex 2014
Google's latched on to Diane von Fürstenberg as the solution for making Glass fashion-forward, unveiling a collection of frames made by the famed Belgian designer last week. While it remains to be seen whether trendy-colored frames can make a $1,500 wearable more appealing, a few smaller companies here at Computex in Taiwan have some novel ideas that could make you more willing to strap a mini-computer on your face... or your wrist.
SiME Google Glass knock-off is held together with Scotch Tape
It's not exactly a good sign when your product's being held together with Scotch Tape. But that's actually one of the main points of distinction between the SiME Smart Glass and Google's version of the wearable -- that and a much lower price point, of course. Taiwanese company ChipSip hopes to sell its Google Glass knock-off for $500, and though that seems palatable compared to $1,500, it's still not cheap. That price is even harder to swallow when you see just how complicated it is to use, as we discovered on the Computex show floor.
Google Glass test update lets you see notifications by shifting your eyes
If you've worn Google Glass, you know that it can be a pain to tilt your head back every time you want to check a missed alert. You might not have to move so awkwardly in the future, though. Google has posted an as yet unannounced Glass update with an experimental "notification glance" feature. As it implies, you only have to point your eyes toward the display to turn it on and see a recent notification. The catch? Right now, the new trick doesn't apply to general use; Android Police notes that you can't shift your gaze just to take a picture or get directions. Nonetheless, the glance option should be very helpful for Explorers who'd like to keep their head movements (and funny looks from others) to a minimum. Update: Google has finally announced the feature, and is encouraging explorers to try it out, check out the Google+ post and a pic of the notification after the break.
Google acquires Word Lens makers to improve Translate
Remember Word Lens, the impressive mobile app that would translate foreign text on menus and street signs right in front of your eyes? Well, that incredibly sweet translation tech has just found a new home - a post on creator Quest Visual's site confirms that Google has acquired the company.
Google puts Mattel and Disney designer Ivy Ross in charge of Glass
Google has just made a creative choice for its new head of Glass, picking one-time Mattel design lead and noted jewelery artist Ivy Ross. That signals a big shift away from Glass' geeky developer base while it transitions to a full-fledged consumer product. She would fill the position previously held by Babak Parviz as Google's Glass lead and work under Google X for Astro Teller and co-founder Sergei Brin. On the Google Glass G+ page, Ross said that she's spent her career "at the intersection of design and marketing" and that she'll be looking to answer some of the "audacious questions" around Glass. Though she didn't say so, some of those will no doubt revolve around privacy and other contentious issues with the upcoming product.
Google Glass tempts travelers with new apps from Foursquare, OpenTable and TripIt
Now available to one and all (but still in beta, only for US residents and priced at $1,500), Google Glass is adding another selling point: travel accessory. That's thanks to new Glassware from Foursquare (we hope a Swarm patch is included), OpenTable and TripIt, adding to other services that support the device like Google's own Maps and Field Trip. TechCrunch also points out that the augmented reality app Word Lens launched a Glass app last fall that lets it superimpose translations over whatever you're looking at -- handy if you don't know the language. The TripIt app keeps your flight info in view, the Foursquare app can do checkins by voice and OpenTable of course brings easily set up reservations. Will this push you into ordering a headset? Maybe not, but if you need one more way to look slightly out of place while on the road, we think we have an answer. [Image credit: Michel Porro/WireImage]
UC Irvine School of Medicine outfits students with Google Glass
Medical schools have been eyeing Google Glass for some time, but the UC Irvine School of Medicine is making the device a standard tool for its four-year program. Starting this month, third- and fourth-year med students will sport ten of Mountain View's headsets during surgery and emergency training situations. In August, 20-30 more pairs of Glass will join first- and second-year students to enhance anatomy labs, simulations, ultrasounds and more. As you might expect, instructors will have access too, giving a first-person perspective during instruction and the ability to transmit patient info in real time. Of course, that former scenario works in reverse, offering faculty the student's view when needed. In terms of privacy, the high-tech spectacles will feature proprietary software to keep all coursework HIPAA compliant. [Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Google starts selling Glass to anyone (in the US) with $1,500 to burn
There's no longer a need to attend a golf tournament or carefully log on for a one-day sale, as Google has just announced it's opening sales of the Glass headset to all (in the US). As long as they're in stock and you have $1,500, you too can join the beta Explorer program and be part of a nearby #glassnightout. Now that Glass is more widely available, Google is saying thank you to its first Explorers with a video (embedded after the break) asking some of them what being among the first to wear the device was like. A major consumer push (and hopefully lower price) is yet to come as the team keeps working on the hardware and software, but if you're not bothered by some rough edges / weird looks, it's just a click of the buy button away. [Image credit: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images]
Google sells Glass at a golf tournament, turns players into Explorers (updated)
Google Glass may not be permanently available for sale to the general public, but Mountain View recently promised to find new ways to expand the Explorer program. The pricey gadget's first stop? The Player's Championship in Florida, a golf tournament where many participants can easily afford the device's $1,500 price tag. Despite the prime location, Google still bundled the eyewear with a free mini-camera that clamps onto a golf club to sweeten the deal. Sounds like the company's plan worked quite well: according to Twitter user Richard Ranick, a sales associate claimed sales were much better than expected. Since Google has vowed to make Explorers not just out of sports lovers, but also out of optometrists, cooks and travelers, we might see more Glass booths (after the break) at various events in the future. [Image credit: Google Glass/Twitter] Update (05/13/14): According to Paul Goldstein (creator of the GolfSight app you see on the Glass interface above), Google was actually handing out Swingbyte devices as freebies instead of mini cameras.
CNN turns Google Glass owners into citizen journalists
Sometimes breaking news happens right before your eyes while you're out and about. If you happen to be wearing Google Glass when those events take place, CNN now has a way for you to share photos and videos of the action directly from the headset. The news outfit announced the addition to its iReport citizen journalism effort earlier this week, and it's claiming to be "the first major news network" to allow contributing via the wearable. If you're interested in joining up, you'll have to authorize CNN to send notifications to Glass and link up an iReport profile in the settings. When you've completed those steps, the appropriate avenue for beaming captured media to the newsroom will appear as a sharing option for photos and videos. Folks have already opted in, as the first mobile coverage (relating to gas prices in Miami) can be seen here. [Photo credit: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Google Glass won't steal your phone calls anymore
Google isn't done upgrading Glass this month just because the KitKat update is out the door. It's rolling out another release this week that should be huge for frequent callers and photographers. You'll no longer miss a phone call just because Glass took control of the audio; the eyewear is now smart enough to route sound to your handset when you're using it to hold a conversation. It'll also be possible to back up photos and videos when away from WiFi, and you can clear those shots from your timeline with one swipe when you're done. There should be more voice commands to accommodate third-party apps, as well. It's not clear exactly when the update hits, but it should give the surge of new Glass owners one more thing to look forward to.
Google Glass users can now say 'Explore Nearby' to launch Field Trip, discover the world around them
When Google released its Field Trip app for Glass back in August last year, it made perfect sense. You could finally use the wearable computer as a handy visual tour guide when you're out and about, which in our opinion is a far better use-case for it than checking email or reading text messages. That said, the original Field Trip wasn't the smoothest experience, as you still had to tap the eyewear's touchpad to launch it. That changes today, however, with a new voice command feature that lets you activate the app simply by saying "OK Glass, Explore Nearby," effectively making it a top-level command similar to "Take a picture" or "Get directions." Given that the app was developed by Niantic Labs, an internal startup within Google, it's no surprise that it works so seamlessly with the Google hardware.
Google Glass now available to anyone, may be prepping for public launch (update: not so much...)
Google offered Glass to the public as part of a one day sale not long ago. Now it seems that anyone can order one again without an invite. There's been no announcement so far, no fan fair -- a few Redditors just happened to discover that you can head straight to the order page and add one to your cart. We've tried it from multiple accounts that we can confirm did not sign up for the Explorer program, so it appears that Glass is legitimately available to anyone with a Google account. We've reached out to Mountain View for comment and we'll let you know as soon as we hear back. In the meantime you can go order your own Explorer Edition unit now. So long as you're comfortable coughing up the $1,500 asking price, of course. Update: Well, it appears that Glass is not available to everyone after all. Google just never pulled the URL for the shop down following the April 15th sale. The company told Android Community it would be pulling the site down soon. And, sadly, if it seemed like you successfully put in an order today chances are that won't be honored. According to the statement customers not already "in the pipeline" won't be getting Glass.
Google Glass now displays your iPhone's text messages
On the heels of last week's KitKat update, Google Glass nabbed up two more notable improvements today. First, iOS users can now have their text messages displayed on Glass, after a quick toggle of the Bluetooth settings. Here's the catch: "due to some limitations with iOS," you wont be able to reply to those messages directly from the headset. There's also a new Calendar Glassware that situates an agenda to the left of the home screen. Tapping a card in that timeline will allow you edit title, time, location and even RSVP. If you'd rather just skip those festivities altogether, you can delete events or hide them from view. Both of the new features are said to be rolling out to early adopters "in the next few days," so keep your eyes peeled.
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.
Samsung explores a stripped-down take on wearable displays
Samsung must want to keep an open mind when it comes to wearable displays. Just a short while after it explored the possibility of smart sports glasses, the company is back with a patent for a heads-up display with a built-in earpiece. In some ways, it resembles a stripped-down version of Google Glass; the transparent screen and camera are familiar, but Samsung is using only the earphone assembly to prop things up rather than a more elaborate frame. Its layout would include a collapsible eyepiece, too. The patent says little about what the company would do with the hardware besides "augmented reality," and there's no guarantee that you'll ever see this in stores. If you find yourself picking up this wearable alongside some future Samsung smartphone, though, you can at least say that you saw it coming.
Google Glass KitKat update lands ahead of tomorrow's big sale, removes video calling
Still need a push to drop $1,500 on Google's Glass headset when they go on sale to all US residents tomorrow? After skipping a couple of months, the team behind it is pushing a big software update later this week that lets it run the freshest version of Android and adds a bunch of new features. Other than switching to Android Kit Kat -- which will bring new features to apps and let developers use the latest SDK -- Glass is now organizing photos in bundles (think Instagram photo grids, look after the break for a peek) for easier scrolling, allows for photo replies in Google Hangouts, makes it easier to send feedback and even sorts voice commands to put your most-used ones at the top.
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.
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.
