Hasta La Gadget!

This past week it would appear that Google has been letting their Project Glass initiative off the leash a bit more freely as several user interface demonstration videos have appeared via South by Southwest. The videos you’re about to see show some early third-party developer apps being previewed and a selection of native apps that will be appearing on the first edition of the hardware. This first edition is known as the Explorer Edition and will be arriving in developer hands soon.

What this first edition works with is a selection of Google-made apps as well as third-party apps that include Gmail, Google search, Google Translate, Evernote, and an app for the New York Times. In the first demonstration video you’ll see the user interface we’ve had our own miniature preview with before being used to translate some English into Japanese on-the-fly.

The first video also shows Glass taking a photo (a picture, as the speaker commands), and you’ll see how you’ll be sharing photos you’ve taken as well. Though you’re only seeing the user interface on a large screen and not the device itself, you’ll understand that the speaker is touching the side panel of the Glass hardware as it is fully touch-sensitive. When you want to share a photo, you’ve only to pull in from the left (or right) after you’ve taken a photo in the photo app, tap once, and there will be the option to Share.

At the moment, Glass is only being shown sharing to Google+, which makes sense since it is a Google-heavy device. We’re expecting the ability to share anywhere on the web in the future – and perhaps to and from your smartphone or other Glass units as well. Near the end of this first video you’ll also see the “P” logo from Pinterest appearing – we’re expecting Pinterest integration when the first Explorer Edition units arrive as well.

Next you’ll see the weather being displayed as well as a fold in the upper right-hand corner of the display, this showing you how you’ll be able to see more options with a bit of a slide on the touch interface on the side of your Glass unit. Pulling there will show you a full three-day forecast, for example, while page folds such as this can be used as a simple indicator for any number of “see more” actions in your own app development adventures.

We’ll be having a look at another video of Google’s User Interface soon – stick around SlashGear as the analysis continues! Hit up our Project Glass tag portal for more!

Google Glass user interface demo video filmed at SXSW is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

There have been plenty of parodies exploring the creepier possibilities of Google Glass, so it should come as no surprise that it’s already been banned in a Seattle bar, even though it’s not even out yet. More »

When you’ve been fighting off hundreds of zombies, the Governor, and his flunkies all day long, you can build up a wicked thirst. What better way to quench what ails you than with these drinking glasses, etched with images of Michonne and her two zombie pets.

Made by Etsy seller Zombie Gifts and Stuff – who sells, well, zombie gifts and stuff – these 18 oz. glasses have a cool, smoky finish to them, with an image of Michonne on one, and her two armless companions on the others. Of course, since they’re just silhouettes you can’t tell that she’s broken their jaws off. But trust us, these zombies won’t try to bite you, and will only serve to help you sneak through the horde unnoticed.

The full set of three glasses will set you back just $20.99(USD) over on Etsy. Just don’t get any funny ideas and start swiping at the pets with a katana – unless you want a bunch of broken glass on your hands.

Today, Google co-founder Sergey Brin spoke at the TED conference held in Long Beach, California. There, he discussed Google’s latest gadget, Google Glass. He praises the many features Google Glass has to offer, as well as its ease of use. He states that Google Glass will help him realize the dream he had when he helped create Google 15 years ago. Though along with the praise, he does make a few statements that are a tad bit offensive to smartphone users.

At the conference, Brin talks about his dream. He states, “When we started Google 15 yeras ago, my vision was that information would come to you as you need it.” He didn’t want people to have to search for the information they want. In a way, that dream is somewhat realized with the “Google Now” service that brings smartphone users (with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean) the information they want or need without them needing to do a search. Weather, traffic reports, news stories, nearby events, and other information is brought to them instantaneously.

However, Brin, didn’t want his dream to come in the form of the smartphone. In fact, he believes that the smartphone is emasculating. He made statements like, “Is the future of connection just people walking around hunched up, looking down, rubbing a featureless piece of glass? It’s kind of emasculating. Is this what you’re meant to do with your body?” He went on to say that cell phone usage in general is an addictive habit, and that if he were a smoker, he’d smoke instead. “It’d look cooler.”

Brin believes that Google Glass will be the project that will help him realize his dream. He may have made those statements just to promote Google Glass as a must-have tech accessory, but there is some truth to his comments. It is a bummer being surrounded by a group of people who are all hunched over their smartphones instead of socializing, but at the same time, you’re essentially glued to a display of distracting information while using Google Glass as well. I guess the perk is that you’re not hunched over?

[via TED]

Sergey Brin talks Google Glass at TED conference is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When I was just a wee lad, I was told that one should not lie down on one’s back and read, it will lead to deteriorating eyesight. I am not quite sure whether that is just a bunch of baloney, but what I do know is this – I have been wearing glasses for the better part of the past two and a half decades already, and sometimes, I just wish I could do away with my glasses and have perfect vision. Permanently. Well, for those who still want to get their daily dose of reading in bed while lying down, you might want to check out the $89.95 Bed Glasses.

Yes sir, the Bed Glasses might make you look like a top notch dork, but at least you can read or view the TV while lying flat on your back, without having to experience any kind of neck strain, as there is no need to raise your head. You wear them just like regular eyeglasses, and heck, they were made in a way to fit over prescription glasses. Just like a periscope, the Bed Glasses function on principles of reflection and refraction. This prism is adjustable and reversible, so when standing upright, all it takes is a simple flip and you can check out what is right above your head.

[ Bed Glasses copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]