google glass

Newt Gingrich among those who will get Google Glass

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

No Google Glassing-and-driving ban likely this year

Those who were planning road trips in West Virginia were worried.

Especially those who were included in Google's list of eminent and lucky people who would be the explorers of Google's wonderful, breakthrough (and possibly insane) eyeglasses known as Google Glass.

For a Republican legislator had proposed a bill -- after reading just one Technically Incorrect post -- that would ban anyone in the state from wearing Google's glasses and driving.

Gary. G. Howell explained very cogently that he was not against the invention, but that he feared it would be just as distracting as texting. And … Read more

Google uninvites some winners of Google Glass contest

Google giveth Google Glass invitations and Google taketh away.

The Web giant has begun notifying winners of its Glass Explorer #ifihadglass contest, which invited people to submit their applications of Google's high-tech specs if they were among the first chosen to have access. Kicked off a month ago, the contest asked applicants for their pitches, ideas that included everything from health care applications to skateboarding to journalism and storytelling.

Google said yesterday it would reveal the winners over Google+ and Twitter over the next few days. Many began receiving notifications today that looked like this:

@ampersandmoxie You're invited … Read more

Google Glass to be made in the USA, but still by Foxconn

Like so many other popular and much-coveted tech gadgets, Google Glass will be made by China's Foxconn -- but not in China.

The Financial Times is reporting that Google's augmented reality specs will be assembled by the Taiwan-based company, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, at a facility in Santa Clara, Calif. Foxconn has contracts with many big names in the tech world to manufacture and/or assemble laptops, smartphones, and other consumer products in facilities around the world, including its massive, city-sized factories in mainland China.… Read more

Google: Glass winners chosen; announcements to come

Google says it has picked the winners of its Glass Explorer #ifihadglass contest. The company will reveal the chosen ones by way of Google+ and Twitter over the next few days.

The contest, which kicked off Feb. 20 and ran for a week, asked people who wanted to be first to get their hands on Google's high-tech specs to submit their ideas for Glass, like so: "Using Google+ or Twitter, tell us what you would do if you had Glass, starting with the hashtag #ifihadglass."

Pitches involved everything from health care applications to skateboarding to journalism and storytelling.… Read more

T-Mobile's new twist on monthly plans

CNET Update can spare some change:

T-Mobile is ditching the typical contract and smartphone subsidy for a new plan. Pay full price for a phone, or pay it off over time with monthly payments -- and data plans start at $50 a month for 500 MB. Expect T-Mobile to release more details at a press announcement Tuesday morning.

Other stories featured in Monday's tech roundup:

- Barnes & Noble is working on incorporating in-app purchases for apps on the Nook tablets. And for those seeking an e-reader for their Easter basket, Barnes & Noble is giving a free Nook Simple Touch e-reader with the purchase of the Nook HD+ tablet. … Read more

FAA ready to power down paranoia over devices?

Your Kindle could finally be liberated during take-off and landing on flights in the U.S. by this time next year.

Many of us have had the experience of doing a double-take when the flight attendant asks us to power down an e-reader, even when it's already in airplane mode. My old-school Kindle isn't even backlit -- there are probably more emissions coming through the fillings in my teeth; perhaps I should stow those under the seat in front of me as well?

I'm guessing that might freak out the federal air marshal aboard my next flight.… Read more

Don't Glass and drive -- lawmakers seek to ban Google Glass on the road

Dabbling in politics can bring troubling consequences.

So here at Technically Incorrect, we prefer to keep our distance, because, from a distance, our laughter can still be heard quite well.

However, I received a curious message last night from Gary G. Howell, a Republican in the West Virginia Legislature.

It read: "Your article on Google Glass prompted this bill."

The only bills I'd ever previously inspired were $20 ones accompanied by the words: "Here's money for a taxi. Get out of here."

So I wondered what sort of bill this could be. It transpires that West Virginia has decided to think proactively about Google Glass.

This bill seeks to make it illegal to drive while "using a wearable computer with head mounted display." … Read more

The 404 1,233: Where we stick a fork in it (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Bill Gates will grant you $100,000 to invent a next-gen condom.

- "Now That's What I Call Music" documentary coming soon.

- Dongle jokes and a tweet lead to firings, threats, DDoS attacks.

- And of course, a silver lining: http://forkmydongle.com.

Bathroom break video: NHL celebrates 20-year anniversary of NHL '94 in awesome throwback fashion.… Read more

Google is getting a smartwatch now too?

A smartwatch boom seems to be going on. Besides smaller companies debuting new wrist technology, the tech giants are also grabbing for a piece of the pie.

Google is the newest company to supposedly be stepping into the watch world. According to The Financial Times, Google's smartwatch is allegedly being developed by the company's Android unit rather than its X Lab.

This is telling because it means that, unlike Google Glass, the company may be looking to get a consumer product out to users on a speedier timeline.

According to The Financial Times, Google filed a patent application … Read more