Saturday, 3 August 2013
GOOGLE TECH SPECS :
Back in early 2012, before the world had heard of Google Glass, the tech world was ablaze with rumours that the search giant was beavering away on augmented reality goggles. But what exactly is Google Glass ?
Google glass is an attempt to free data from desktop computers and portable devices like phones and tablets, and place it right in front of your eyes.
Essentially, Google Glass is a camera, display, touchpad, battery and microphone built into spectacle frames so that you can perch a display in your field of vision, film, take pictures, search and translate on the go.
The principle is one that has been around for years in science fiction, and more recently it's become a slightly clunky reality. In fact, the "heads-up display" putting data in your field of vision became a reality as early as 1900 when the reflector sight was invented.
Google Glass uses display technology instead to put data in front (or at least, to the upper right) of your vision courtesy of a prism screen. This is designed to be easily seen without obstructing your view.
Overlaying data into your vision has obvious benefits; many of which are already functional in Google Glass. Directions become more intuitive (although it sounds like there is no GPS on board so you will have to pair it with your phone), you can view real-time translations or transcriptions of what is being said, and you can scroll through and reply to messages - all on the fly.
Other features :
As well as Google's own list of features, the early apps for Google Glass provide a neat glimpse into the potential of the headset.
As well as photos and film - which require no explanation - you can use the Google hangout software to video conference with your friends and show them what you're looking at.
You'll also be able to use Google Maps to get directions, although with GPS absent from the spec list, you'll need to tether Glass to your phone.
"Is Glass cool and
entirely novel? Yes, it certainly is. Is it a device that will change
the life of, or even just prove useful to, the average consumer? That's
doubtful."
To do that, Google offers the MyGlass app. This pairs
your headset with an Android phone. As well as sharing GPS data, this
means messages can be received, viewed on the display, and answered
using the microphone and Google's voice-to-text functionality. Specifications of Google Glass :
640x360 display
5 MP Camera
16 GB In-Built Memory
Bluetooth
Wifi
Google Glass will come in five colours: Charcoal, Tangerine, Shale, Cotton and Sky.
What will be the cost ?
The Google Glass Explorer (the developer version being sent out now) costs $1500.
