Even though Google Glass is not available commercially to buy as yet, it has been rolled out to lucky winners of Google’s Google Glass Explorer competition.
Now Google has released a new update for their revolutionary Google Glass eyewear which brings with it a number of new features and tweaks.
Integration with Google+ Social Network
The major new feature to be added in the latest Google Glass eyewear update XE5 is integration with Google’s Google+ social network. This integration allows Glass users to view incoming Google+ notifications, such as direct shares, comments, and mentions. This feature enhances the social connectivity of the device, making it easier for users to stay updated with their social circles without needing to check their phones constantly. For instance, if a user is tagged in a photo or mentioned in a comment, they will receive a notification directly on their Google Glass, allowing for immediate interaction.
Additional Features and Improvements
The XE5 update brings a plethora of new features and improvements to Google Glass, making it more user-friendly and efficient. Here are the new features included in the XE5 update:
– Change to sync policy: require power + wifi for background uploads
– Crash reporting
– Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
– Incoming Hangout notifications
– Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
– Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
– International number dialing + SMS
– Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
– New On-Head Detection calibration flow
– Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
– More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
– New recipient-list mosaic
One of the significant changes is the new sync policy, which now requires both power and Wi-Fi for background uploads. This change is aimed at conserving battery life and ensuring that uploads do not consume mobile data unnecessarily. Additionally, crash reporting has been introduced to help Google identify and fix issues more efficiently.
The update also includes incoming Hangout notifications, allowing users to stay connected with their contacts through Google’s messaging service. The transcription of queries and messages has been significantly improved, making it faster and more accurate. This enhancement is particularly useful for users who rely on voice commands to interact with their device.
Another notable feature is the ability to perform a long-press to search from anywhere in the user interface, not just from the off state. This makes it easier for users to quickly access search functionality without navigating through multiple menus.
International number dialing and SMS support have also been added, making Google Glass more versatile for users who travel frequently or have contacts in different countries. The hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI provides visual feedback, helping users understand when a swipe action is not permitted.
The new On-Head Detection calibration flow ensures that the device accurately detects when it is being worn, improving the overall user experience. The device serial number is now displayed on the Device Info card, making it easier for users to identify their device if needed.
Battery life estimation has been made more reliable, providing users with a better understanding of how much charge remains. Lastly, the new recipient-list mosaic feature enhances the user interface, making it easier to select recipients for messages and other communications.
Overall, the XE5 update brings a host of new features and improvements to Google Glass, making it a more powerful and user-friendly device. As Google continues to refine and enhance the capabilities of Google Glass, it is clear that the company is committed to providing users with a cutting-edge wearable technology experience.
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