Hasta La Gadget!

Google has been leading the wave of wearable technology with Google Glass. It has shipped out nearly 8,000 units to Explorers, a select group of people given early access to the device. Retail launch is expected to take place next year. Google Glass has already given birth to various privacy concerns. Despite the fact that it hasn’t been released to the public, certain establishments such as casinos, bars and strip clubs have already banned the device. Another establishment joins this list, but it isn’t your local watering hole. Its the infamous Guantanamo Bay.

Carol Rosenberg of the Miami Herald recently tweeted a picture of a sign that was put up at the Guantanamo war court. The sign warns against use of binoculars or other visual enhancement devices. It explicitly mentions that “Google Glasses” should be left outside. Rosenberg is covering pretrial hearings of a September 11 trial, she was told to remove the glasses on Monday and soon after that, the sign was put up. Authorities already examine all video footage that’s captured at the Bay, whereas it is forbidden to record military commissions proceedings taking place at the war court. So if you happen to get your hands on Google Glass next year and find yourself headed to Guantanamo Bay for reasons other than incarceration, it might be a good idea to leave your unit behind.

Google Glass Banned At Guantanamo Bay original content from Ubergizmo.

Google has just released a version of Field Trip for Glass Explorers, meaning the Niantic Labs project that offers users fun destinations, tips, facts and other information about the world around now has a very logical place on the computer you wear in your face that constantly whispers in your ear.

It’s so logical, in fact, that Field Trip was actually originally designed for Glass, according to Niantic Labs boss John Hanke speaking to CNET. In a video demoing the Field Trip on Glass experience, you can see how the app works in action as you day trip around and do fun things like hike through Napa Valley. It seems like a pretty good fit based on that demo, though how it works in person is likely somewhat less idealized.

Field Trip launched on Android about a year ago today, and the Glass app was the original target, but the platform wasn’t ready for it at the time, Hanke told CNET. He also added that a future convergence with Google Now might be in the cards (that’s an amazing pun), which also makes sense given how similar Field Trip’s functions are to the omnipresent Google Android assistant.

The Glassware for Field Trip is essentially a stripped down version of the Android app as-is, and allows people to get more or less information on a more or less frequent basis about the world around them based on customized settings. It’s a passive experience that presents Cards, and can even read them to you automatically depending on your location, and it shows one of the ways in which Glass’ unique design could give it a definite advantage or traditional devices like smartphones.

You know what’s not new? Android games. You know what is new? Games for Google Glass. There has been the odd attempt so far, but french-based game developer AMA is porting one of its bonafide titles over to the small screen for real. Escape! is a simple puzzler, the sort that we’re all familiar with on our phones, that is being squeezed into the wearable format. While games on the hardware might be something of an inevitability, we managed to get our eyes inside a pair to take a better look for ourselves. Head past the break to see how it worked out.

Filed under: Google

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Earlier in April this year, Eric Schmidt was quoted as saying that consumers looking forward to getting their hands on the retail version of Google Glass could only expect it in 2014. However inside sources have claimed that a 2013 release was possible, although those rumors have since changed their tone and are now claiming a 2014 release, possibly during Google I/O 2014. When asked about the change in schedule, a Google spokesperson told Computerworld, “We’re always adjusting and readjusting timelines. The most important thing that we do is focus on building a great product for users whenever that might be launched.”

As it stands it seems that some people are actually happy about the “delay” to 2014, as some have criticized Google’s previous attempts at rushing products out the door only to fall on their face, the Nexus Q being a prime example of that. As it stands, Google Glass is priced at $1,500 via the Explorer program although a recent researcher’s report has suggested that the device could cost around $300 upon its commercial release, which in all honesty does not seem to be too bad of a price to pay. So there you have it, if you were hoping for a 2013 release of Google Glass, you could be disappointed, but hopefully the delay will give Google more time to iron out the kinks.

Google Glass Retail Version Expected In 2014 original content from Ubergizmo.

The Crystal Shopper app was created by Lance Nanek as a part of the Breaking Glass Glassware hackathon and makes it quick and easy for users to scan barcodes, compare prices, check Amazon ratings and reviews, and much more, all packed within the convenience of the Google Glass eyewear. Combined with the convenience of other […]