News - Google announces revised Glass hardware with 2GB of RAM

[HEXUS]

Also Google I/O will kick off later today - what are we expecting to see unveiled?

Read more.

[Otherhand]

I'm still having trouble answering the question: "To what problem is Glass the solution?"

[CampGareth]

I'm still having trouble answering the question: "To what problem is Glass the solution?"

The problem of having to get out your phone to change the track, or take a picture (for which a slate shape isn't ideal), or read a message, or get directions while moving etc etc.

To those problems it is one solution of many, a solution we're going to see later today is smart watches. Try those, then we'll see if glass has merit, it might well do since with either a phone or a smart watch you end up looking down at a device and ignoring the world

[crossy]

The headline change is the doubling of the amount of RAM to 2GB in order to provide users better performance.

So much for the "it's light on resource use" - looks like 2GB is becoming the minimum for any Google OS.

I'm still having trouble answering the question: "To what problem is Glass the solution?"

Watching movies while driving/cycling;
Stalking;
Pirating cinema films;
Voyeurism;
etc

Joking aside, it seemed to me to be one of those "we do this because we can" type devices. Either that or it's a counterblast to the increasing bulk of "convential" phones that are getting thinner but wider/taller. What I'd prefer is some kind of contact lens display, wirelessly powered, with the phone electronics in a little lighter-sized box in your pocket, (with the box also able to double up as storage/cleaning for the lens units).


Then again, there's some Glass Explorers on Hexus - at least some folks who've used it - so maybe they've got a killer use they'd like to share?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Maybe we could use Google glass on Moose and stop them falling off cliffs and running into roads.

[Otherhand]

The problem of having to get out your phone to change the track, or take a picture (for which a slate shape isn't ideal), or read a message, or get directions while moving etc etc.

To those problems it is one solution of many, a solution we're going to see later today is smart watches. Try those, then we'll see if glass has merit, it might well do since with either a phone or a smart watch you end up looking down at a device and ignoring the world

Perhaps, if you actually find your phone is a hassle. I don't, and it could be a long time until high quality camera tech becomes small enough to fit in Glass. I think the ability to get directions while moving causes worse problems than it solves; alright if you're on a bus (in which case, you could use your hands and a phone), potentially deadly if you're driving or riding a bike.

I agree that we need to deal with the problem of ignoring the world, but that's a matter of manners. I don't do that, and pick my moments to check the phone carefully, and so do my friends and family. I don't see how Glass makes this any better, and in fact it exacerbates it. It's a constant reminder that a person may not be giving you their full attention, unlike the occasional sleight of someone peering into their phone in mid-conversation.

I know it's a losing battle, and sooner or later this stuff is going to be in a contact lens. I think I'll miss smartphones when that day comes.

[Otherhand]

So much for the "it's light on resource use" - looks like 2GB is becoming the minimum for any Google OS.

Watching movies while driving/cycling;
Stalking;
Pirating cinema films;
Voyeurism;
etc

Joking aside, it seemed to me to be one of those "we do this because we can" type devices. Either that or it's a counterblast to the increasing bulk of "convential" phones that are getting thinner but wider/taller. What I'd prefer is some kind of contact lens display, wirelessly powered, with the phone electronics in a little lighter-sized box in your pocket, (with the box also able to double up as storage/cleaning for the lens units).


Then again, there's some Glass Explorers on Hexus - at least some folks who've used it - so maybe they've got a killer use they'd like to share?

Ha ha!

It should be mandatory to watch the Black Mirror episode "The Entire History of You", in my opinion.

[crossy]

The problem of having to get out your phone to change the track, or take a picture (for which a slate shape isn't ideal), or read a message, or get directions while moving etc etc. To those problems it is one solution of many, a solution we're going to see later today is smart watches. Try those, then we'll see if glass has merit, it might well do since with either a phone or a smart watch you end up looking down at a device and ignoring the world

Problem I've got is that the track change, read message, etc usages can easily be done with a very cheap headset - even a £30 bluetooth one if you'd prefer. Text-to-voice is definitely getting better. The photo thing is a possibility - but even then I'd suggest that, unless you were trying to do it surreptitiously, then having to take the phone out isn't a big deal. And I'm not the only one who thinks that way - there was an article I was reading that was suggesting moving camera to the very top of the phone, so you could take a picture by aiming the phone in your shirt pocket and saying "Ok Google, take picture".

The smartwatch idea I'm ambivalent about. I got a first gen Sony and it wasn't more than an expensive toy. The Galaxy Gear and G-Watch designs also leave me cold. No, what's interesting me is the latest lines of "watch like" watches like the one(s) on Kickstarter and of course the Moto 360. Got to say that the 360 is the first smartwatch that - depending on it's actual face size - I'd be tempted to pre-order.

Ha ha! It should be mandatory to watch the Black Mirror episode "The Entire History of You", in my opinion.

Darn, I managed to miss out on that - Charlie Brooker stuff is usually okay. Did you see this article in The Metro? According to that Robert Downey Jr bought the rights to the episode you name - US version or film perhaps?

Maybe we could use Google glass on Moose and stop them falling off cliffs and running into roads.

The cynic in me can't help wondering how much fencing could be bought for the cost of a single Glass unit... (and yes, I do know you weren't being serious).

[Otherhand]

Darn, I managed to miss out on that - Charlie Brooker stuff is usually okay. Did you see this article in The Metro? According to that Robert Downey Jr bought the rights to the episode you name - US version or film perhaps?

A film, I believe. That particular episode wasn't written by him - I think that's by the Peep Show writers, but you'd never guess from the style (aside from their fondness for first-person view filming and making people squirm with their characters' inner thoughts).

You can watch it for free here, after signing up with an email address and password, assuming your location is still accurate: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/b...or/4od#3327868

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The cynic in me can't help wondering how much fencing could be bought for the cost of a single Glass unit... (and yes, I do know you weren't being serious).

Moose are fence-proof.

[Spud1]

I'm still having trouble answering the question: "To what problem is Glass the solution?"

Nothing. There i've said it It doesn't solve a problem as such.

The Appeal of glass varies, but for many of us this is the future of technology, right here right now. I've grown up with a certain image of future technology, driven largely by Sci-Fi shows and films. Things like star trek Pads, touch screen keyboards, voice recognition, personal HUDs, tricorders, replicators...all of these things have been there through out my life as awesomely cool things that will happen one day. And it's almost here..

Pads - tablets
Touch screens - ubiquitous now
Voice Recognition/HUDs - glass
tricorders - available in some form to a degree, mostly through bluetooth gadgets
Replicators - 3D printers

So that takes care of the "cool" factor for geeks

Then there is the wider benefit in terms of the tech that are likely come out of this (and other projects). Vastly improved voice recognition, battery technology, bone conduction, "minification" of display/processing tech and so on.

Thats the *really* exciting bit about Glass - whats next? Where will the tech go? It's rather unusual for us to get access to this sort of tech so early in its life, and the possibilities are endless.

I also think there is a strong relationship between smartwatches and glass - if you don't see the benefit in something like a Pebble, you probably won't see any benefit in Glass. I can't wait for mine to arrive, its the most exciting bit of tech this decade so far.