There’s been a lot of talk and hype about Google Glass since details of the project first emerged nearly a year ago. The initial video demonstration showing the possibilities of Google Glass during everyday activities was a big hit and spawned a lot of humorous spin off versions. Now, at the SXSW show in Texas, Google has followed up with a detailed presentation about the user interface and a few apps you might want to use on your electric tech specs.
Excerpt from the demo at SXSW
Apps for the Google Glass spectacles will run on the Google Glass Mirror API. The API is supposedly easy to develop for and presents information to users using a system known as “timeline cards”. Such cards can include text, images, HTML and even video clips.
Talk, swipe, tap
In the demonstration the presenter, senior Google Glass developer evangelist Timothy Jordan, navigated the Glass UI and completed various tasks with voice and touch commands. To engage the Glass OS Jordan said the phrase “OK Glass”, then a UI appeared with text subcommands that could be read out. In his first example he followed up “OK Glass” with “Google, how do you say ‘thank you’ in Japanese”. The system understood him and you saw the answer on the demonstration screen. Jordan told the audience that, as he was wearing the Google Glasses, he heard the pronunciation read to him too.
Other voice commands include “take a picture”, “record a video” and “get directions to”. Quite a lot of UI interactivity was implemented by touch; swiping (through options) and tapping the side of the Glasses frame (to select options). In terms of apps Google showed the Gmail app, the New York Times news app and apps for Evernote and Skitch.
If you are interested in this upcoming item of wearable technology the price of Google Glass, when it comes out later this year, is said to be around $1500. Sky news reports that although the current model of Glass doesn’t come with lenses fitted Google is talking to the likes of Ray-Ban about the possibility of fitting prescription and/or tinted lenses.
Seattle bar bans Google Glass wearers
In related news, it was widely reported that the 5 Point Café in Cedar Street, Seattle, has already banned the wearing of Google’s wearable tech specs on the premises. The bar owner explained “People want to go there and be not known...and definitely don't want to be secretly filmed or videotaped and immediately put on the Internet”. Furthermore he encouraged patrons to deliver an “a** kicking” to any violators. What about people wearing Apple’s iWatch?
