Experience The World With Google Glass

Google Glass is a type of wearable computer which has a Head Mounted Display (HMD). As the name says, Google Glass is developed by Google in research and development project of PROJECT GLASS which has a target of obtaining mass- market ubiquitous computer. It displays data in a Smartphone in hand free format which can be connected to internet by only voice commands. Development of Google Glass is done in Google X Lab which has also responsible for developing DRIVERLESS CAR.

DESIGN ISSUE:-

The design of Google Glass is slimmer and smaller to the previous design made by Google. In the first demo of Google Glass, Google prepared a gadget similar to normal eye glass in which head-up display is located at the position of lens. Google’s prototype launch in August 2011 shows that the device will be of 8 pound in weight but now after certain modifications weight of Google Glass is reduced. So now you can enjoy Google Glass with weight similar to the weight of normal sun glasses. Team of Google is working on more innovative Glass design so that you can put it like normal eye wear. A team of Google is also working on a glass model with prescription lens.

Further Reading:

• Must Watch How Google Glass Change The Dating System
• Funny Future Of Google Glass

AVAILABILITY OF GOOGLE GLASS:-

According to some Google employees explore edition of Google Glass is available for Google I/O developers of United States for $1,500 and for public it will be available for little less rate than the explore edition by the end of 2013 or in 2014. The demo version of Google Glass was released in Feb, 2013 in which many features including voice- segmented display of the Glass video is tested. 

On 27th Feb, 2013 onwards Google Glass was available for consumers and developers for testing purpose. With this test Google want to figure out that how people want to use Google Glass and how they are using it. Testing program concluded that this gadget is made for creative and bold people. People who want to test this gadget has to apply in a quotation on Twitter or Google+ like a post consisting of 50 words and featuring hashtag #ifihadglass and the selected people was required to attend an event in Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York for picking up the developer version for $1,500 USD. On April 16, 2013 Google announced that its initial explore edition unit has been completed and they had started shipping their product. Same day they also released a web-based setup pages for Google Glass and MyGlass companion application. Developers of Google Glass are given initial chance for accessing Mirror API for the Google Glass.

FEATURES IN EXPLORE EDITION OF GOOGLE GLASS:-

In this explore edition data is available via Wi-Fi or you can also collect it via Bluetooth from iPhone or Android devices. It can also use data from 3G or 4G network. Explore edition of Google Glass is also featured with a GPS chip. You can enjoy it in Sky color, cotton, Shale, Tangerine and Charcoal color. Other features available in Google Glass are:-

Hardware features:

• CAMERA: - Google Glass is featured to take quality photographs and record videos of 720p HD. While the owner of Google Glass is recording video a small light is displayed above the eye but it is unnoticeable to the user.
• TOUCHPAD: - The side of the Google glass is made to be a touchpad by which a user can control it simply by swiping via a timeline- like an interface displayed on the screen.

Software features:

• GLASSWARE APPLICATIONS: - Google’s glass application, also known as Glassware is a free application which is built by a third party developer. Many existing Google’s application like Gmail, Google+, Google Maps and Google Now are also used by Google Glass. Third party applications which are announced by South by Southwest are also added in Google Glass and it includes Path, The New York Times, Skitch and Evernote. Mirror API was also released on April 15, 2013 so that developers can start making new applications. According to conditions and terms of service developers are not permitted to insert ads and they are also not allowed to charge any fee in return of their applications. According to Google’s representative, Google Glass has the power to change the future. Till now many developers had developed new application like photo manipulation, facial recognition, sharing of photos to social media network. Because of this fast development Google announced release of seven new application on May 2013 which includes news alerts from CNN, fashion news from ELLE, evernote etc.

• VOICE ACTIONS: - Apart from touchpad this gadget can be controlled by voice actions. For activating its voice reorganization you have to speak “OK GLASS” followed by your command. For example “OK GLASS TAKE A PICTURE”, “OK GLASS RECORD VIDEO”, “OK GLASS SEND MESSAGE TO TRISHA” etc. Most of these commands including other user guidelines can be seen in product video released in February 2013.

Further Reading:

• Top 5 Apps For Google Glass Eyewear

HOW TO CONTROL GOOGLE GLASS:

You can control Google Glass by simple voice commands for initiation you have to say “OK GLASS” then simply speaks your command. If you don’t want to say your command after saying “OK GLASS” then you can scroll options available on the side of the device. In this scroll edition you can also interchange accessories of sun glass which can be twisted ON or OFF.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR GOOGLE GLASS (Explore Edition):

For the explore edition Google Glass has following specifications:-

• Proximity sensor and Ambient Light sensing 
• 3 axis magnetometer i.e. compass
• 3 axis accelerometer
• 3 axis gyroscope
• 682 MB RAM “proc”
• Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 SoC 1.2 Ghz Dual(ARMv7)
• 16GB storage(12 GB available)
• Bluetooth
• Wi-F0 802.11b/g
• 5-megapixel camera which is capable of 720p video recording
• Android 4.0.4 and higher 

AWARDS AND HONOURS RECEIVED BY GOOGLE GLASS:

Mostly devices are aimed at making revenue by adding advertisements but till now Google has no plans for it. Some honors and awards received by Google Glass are:-

• Because of its innovative technology and innovation Google Glass receive recognition by Times Magazine on which it is stated as one of the best inventions of the year 2012.
• When Google’s chairman Eric Schmidt visited University of Cambridge in Feb 2013, then John Naughton (professor of Wolfson College) praised the Google Glass and compared it also compared it with achievements of networking and hardware pioneer Douglas Engelbart. Naughton also says that Dougls Engelbart believed in the machines which are made to deliver their work best, thereby making humans free for what they do best.

PRIVACY CONCERNS RELATED TO GOOGLE GLASS:

The minimalist appearance and the eyewear functionality having aluminum strips with two nose pads are compared with Eye Tap developed by Steve Mann’s also known as “Digital Eye Glass” or “Glass”. Since Google Glass is in its first generation but it is compared to Eye Tap which is in Generation 4. According to views of Steve Mann, both Google Glass and Digital Eye Glass affect secrecy and privacy by introducing dual faced sousveillance and surveillance.

From various sources privacy concerns are raised which are related to ethics and etiquette of using device in public places and capturing people’s video without their permission. There is hullabaloo that via Google Glass privacy rules are violated because of security problems. Privacy advocates says that people who will wear Google Glass in public can identify stranger in public in no time by using the feature of facial recognition. They can also record or broadcast someone’s private conversation. Many private companies and premises had started “STOP THE CYBROGS” moments for banning the use of Google glasses in their area. Many US companies has also posted anti- Google Glasses signs in their areas. 

Other concerns related to Google Glass are regarding legality of the Glass in countries mainly in Ukraine, Russia and many other post- USSR countries. A Google+ user had also noticed legal issue “ACCORDING TO UKRAINE AND RUSSI’S CURRENT LEGISLATION STARTING GOOGLE GLASS CAN BE A LEGAL ISSUE” related to Google Glass and posted it in community of Google Glass Explorers.

SAFETY CONCERNS RELATED TO GOOGLE GLASS:

Many safety concerns are also issued regarding Google’s new development like using vehicles while wearing Google Glass. Gary G.Howell, representative of West Virginia started an amendment that texting while driving is against driving laws; anyone found doing that will be banned. Also using a wearable computer having a head mounted display while driving is also against the rules. One should not found doing that. If found guilty then he will be punished hard or may be banned from driving. Gary Howell says that safety is the primary issue which cannot be ignored. Head mounted computer can project text or video in your vision and because of which many serious accidents can happen so it is necessary that one must not wear Google Glasses while driving. Also Google Glasses are not suitable for the children who are below the age of 13 years. So you must be quite big for enjoying advanced features of Google Glasses.

How it feels through Google Glass-Google Glass Official Promo: