Now that developers, or Google Glass Explorers, have their hands on the Google Glass, more and more details have emerged about the augmented reality device. With the future of technology veering towards wearable devices, it seems Google have got a giant leap in front of their competitors by releasing the developer version of the high-tech spectacles so early. Even Chinese giants Baidu are building a rival device called “Eye” (as reported by Visopix). We take a look at some of the reasons to be excited about Google Glass.
Hands-free photo and video capture
The video Google released about Google Glass showcased its various uses, but none more so than its camera. The positioning of the 5MP 720p camera means that it records a first person perspective of the wearer. Tell the glasses to take a picture and the device will dutifully comply – Likewise with a video. In the teaser video, the possibilities of this use were shown to the extreme, with a skydiver recording a video of his stunt hands-free.
Overlaid information
With Google Glass’s innovative display, a “Heads Up Display” (HUD) is shown discretely in the top right of the wearer’s field of vision, without hindering the view of what is going on in front of them. This HUD can be used to overlay information and augment the reality of the viewer. For example, you could ask Glass for the nearest restaurant and a trail leading to the nearest restaurant would appear in front of you.
All the features of a phone – and more
Google Glass has all the features of a smartphone – being able to phone, video call and send text and e-mail messages. This can all be done by dictating to the microphone a command and your message. Answer a call, reply to a text message and dictate an e-mail, all without the need to use your hands.
Your own personal translator
Using the power of voice-recognition engineers and Google Translate, the Google Glass is able to translate phrases for you and speak them out loud. Another amazing feature is that it will be able to translate, via the HUD, a foreign language into your native language, as they speak to you. If this is implemented and works correctly, you will be able to carry around your own personal translator wherever in the world you go to.
Live sharing
The great thing about new technology is the way it changes our everyday lives. With Google Glass, the way we interact with our family and friends could be set to change forever. Using Google’s Hangout service, you can have a video call with anyone in your friends list. What makes this amazing is that you will be able to share, live, exactly what you are seeing in that moment of time. This takes the social sharing experience to an entirely new level and is one of the life-changing features Google Glass has. No longer will you have to send a postcard from holiday saying you wish they were there with you, because Google Glass will bring them to you.
John Smith is a free-lance writer at London passionate about technology