glass

Google Glass just got real, ya'll.

The Mountain View, Calif., monolith confirmed today that it plans to get Google Glass Explorer Edition into the hands of developers within the next month. So if you know a dev who shelled out the $1,500 for the chance to be one of the first to dig into the augmented reality specs, I highly recommend being on your best behavior at their Memorial Day barbecue -- your drunken pool dive might be broadcast live over a Hangout by the host.

The news came today in the midst of a big announcement that Google Ventures is partnering with a few Silicon Valley big guns -- namely Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers -- to invest in startups developing products for the what it calls the "Glass ecosystem."… Read more

Wednesday afternoon Google Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, jointly announced plans to form an investment syndicate to supply seed money to startups developing products around Google's Glass and what it described as the "Glass ecosystem."

In comments the partners posted about the announcement on their respective websites, the participants gushed about the potential represented by Google Glass.

Marc Andreessen, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, described the "thesis" represented by Google Glass as truly transformational.

"Instead of … Read more

I have to admit that Google's Project Glass makes me cringe. It's not that it's ugly (which it is), or that it marks the slow creep of computers into our brains (which it does).

What troubles me is the idea of a population of people with streaming-video cameras dangling off their faces. How could that not create a cultural chilling effect? Even if Google disabled all the cameras -- it's just unnerving having one pointed at you.

Gah! Just thinking about it makes me want to craft my tin foil hat and move off the grid. … Read more

When you work at one of the world's most successful -- and occasionally silliest -- companies, it's hard to create wonderful April Fool's pranks.

After all, you're supposed to contribute your best ideas to the company, so that they might be selected as one of the 15 or so that are used to fool the world on April 1.

It's astonishing that any Googlies have time left over for personal japes. You know, like punking the boss, for example.

And yet, evidence has emerged that members of the Google(x) team -- which I believe … Read more

Google developer advocate Timothy Jordan envisions Google Glass, pardon the pun, as a way for people to distance themselves from technology. This seems a bit oxymoronic, however, considering it's a device people would wear on their face.

Jordan expounds on this idea and explains more about Google's wearable augmented reality project in a new video released today (see below). The video is a recording of Jordan's presentation at last month's South by Southwest Interactive conference.

"Project glass is about our relationship to technology. It's about technology that's there when you want it but … Read more

The world is moving very quickly.

And where it's moving very quickly to is a place where we'll all look quite ridiculous and talk seemingly to ourselves as we walk down the street.

This is the heaven envisioned by Google, with its fascinating Google Glass. Yes, the glasses that make people look like no one's idea of a dinner date on the subway.

Many questions have emerged since these glasses invaded the public gaze. "Should one ban people wearing them while driving?" was one question. "How will Newt Gingrich look when wearing them?" … Read more

China's top search engine, Baidu, is working on wearable tech similar to Google's Project Glass device, according to the Chinese media.

Unnamed sources told news site Sina.com that Baidu is testing a prototype called Baidu Eye.

The device has an LCD display, voice-controlled image recognition, and bone-sensing -- the same technology Google is deploying to allow for voice control functions on its Google Glass eyewear. Baidu Eye wearers will be able to make phone calls, search the Web, and use gestures to take and send photos, according to the report.

The device also will have an open … Read more

Who would you like most to see on your street, your television, or your cruise to the Bahamas, staring at you with one wicked eye and one distracted?

I fancy that more than one person might say "Newt Gingrich."

An intimidating presence at the best of times, please imagine how he might look wearing Google's new and currently taste-challenged glasses.

You may only have to imagine for a short while. For the Republican presidential candidate and famed historical consultant was a winner in Google's lottery to find explorers for its Google Glass.

I am grateful to … Read more