Google Glass is a wearable waterproof device that has been created to make your life easier, and it also gives you a chance to experience life in a new way.
The device has a (prism) screen, a camera, a touchpad and a microphone, and it’s more comfortable to wear than your average sunglasses. You can use the device with simple commands like “take a picture”, or “record a video” and even get directions. It can also be used for translation purposes. It strong but light, and comes in various shades, such as Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton, and Sky.
Google is extremely pleased (and rightfully so) with this product. The company also described the screen as being “the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away.” The wearable even displays your most recent interactions, acquiring them from your smartphone, or any of your Google accounts.
Unique Display Functions
The display options are shown on the upper-right part of the screen. For example:
Ok, glass, google…
•Take a picture
•Record a video
•Hang out with…
•Get directions to…
The device can even take calls, send texts and search online, like you’re wearing Google, and video call. It also shows the weather, and the time.
Specifications of the First Version
•5MP camera (720p video)
•16GB storage (12GB usable storage), can be synced with the cloud storage service by Google
•Can be paired with any phone, as long as the other device has Bluetooth services
•Resolution- 25-inch HD screen from a distance of eight feet
Audio– The device has a bone conduction transducer, which means you won’t need headphones to listen to your favorite music!
The device comes with a Micro USB cable and Charger.
Pricing and Availability
Unfortunately, the official applications to get the Google Glass are over. There were rumors that the device, once released for everyone, will be priced at $1,500, but recent reports say that the price will definitely be less then $1,500.
Most of the people who are currently in possession of Google Glass pairs, won them in a contest. About 8,000 people in the United States were picked by Google, and each and every one of them had to pay $1,500 to receive the first (test) version of Google Glass. The devices were distributed last month.
Recent Hacks
A few weeks back, the Google Glass was hacked and accessed by Jay Freeman. This was done just hours after Eric Schmidt (Executive Chairman, Google) declared that all apps for Google Glass will need legal permission from Google. But this hacking went against that and now it’s clear that other hackers can do the same too (but they’ll need to have the skill) and Google cannot keep it’s revered product completely secure. Freeman told Forbes openly that that Glass is running the Android 4.0.4 operating system, also called Ice Cream Sandwich, which is common to many android phones.
Applications Developed For Google Glass Till Now
Fullscreen BEAM
Developed by- Fullscreen Labs
It’s the first YouTube app for Google Glass. The app allows Google Glass wearers to record a video through the device and upload it directly to YouTube through the app, and they can even share it on Twitter.
Bulletproof
Developed by: Mike DiGiovanni
Let’s face it, the wearable isn’t very secure, and there’s no one to stop any of your friends from picking it up and accessing your personal data. Except for Bulletproof. It gives your Google Glass screen a lock, which gets activated as soon as you take your wearable off and you can unlock it with your combination of swaps and taps.
Winky
Developed by: Mike DiGiovanni
This handy little app let’s you click pictures even when the screen is off, and all you have to do is wink. Though, it may create problems while you’re around people and one of them might think you’re winking at them. So, you have to be careful. DiGiovanni has released it as total Android source code, that will have to be compiled and run as APK on the device.
The New York Times
The New York Times has an official app for Google Glass. To use this app, you have to link your NYTimes account with your account on Google, and you’re good to go. The app shows you all the headlines, not the whole articles, and you get to skip the tedious process of going through the articles you’re not interested in. It also includes hourly updates.
Facebook, Twitter and Reddit
Facebook doesn’t have an official Google Glass app (yet) and this is just a third-party app, but you can connect your Google account to your Facebook account and this allows you to post pictures taken through your wearable on Facebook.
Twitter does not have an official Google Glass app either, but you can post pictures on Twitter through your Google Glass.
Reddit Timeline is the perfect app for those who don’t want to miss out on all the important threads on Reddit. It allows upvotes, downvotes, comment threading, reading aloud comments and replying to comments. Also, the top 25 posts on your FrontPage are updated every hour.
Glassagram
This is the Instagram for Google Glass, and let’s you take pictures with filters. You have to sign up, share a picture, and a card is displayed on your Glass Timeline with all your filtering options.
Path
Path has an official Google Glass app, and it’s integrated with messaging, photos, moments, and everything else. Dave Morin (Path CEO) thinks it’s very ‘transformational.’The wearable comes installed with this app.
Throughglass
This app is for Google Glass users only, and it displays pictures shared by other users on your Glass Timeline.
The device also comes pre-installed with Gmail and Google Now.
Earlier news about the Google Glass:
Google Glass Update Software Out
First YouTube Google Glass App
Google Eyewear Glass OS Accessed By Hacker
No Ads In Google Glass Display
Google Glass Gets Funded By 3 Venture Capitals
Technology Of Google Glass Already Patented By Japanese Billionaire
New Google Glass Apps Revealed At SXSW 2013
Google Glass Specs Will Hit The Market In A Year