Your Complete Guide to Google Glass, Soon to Be London’s Hottest Wearable Tech
But the idea that I am capturing all this — and all who cross my path — on video is fantasy. Glass is not always on (hence the head nod). The video function is set to a default length of 10 seconds. If I want to extend it, I can do so by tapping the arm of the glasses as recording begins (it takes me several goes to get this right), but I’d be out of battery in 45 minutes, max. And to take a video in the first place, I either have to press a button on the glasses, or announce “OK Glass, record a video,” to the world.
When I do that in Bob Bob Ricard (while raising a glass to Glass) the barman — totally unfazed — turns to me to give me a piece-to-camera introduction to the champagne he’s pouring.
There are spying devices out there on the market. This is not one of them. Development of apps (or Glassware) using facial recognition technology is also banned. So what is it good for?
Google insists that Glass is not meant to replace your phone, but is an additional device. Yet to me, replacing my phone is its greatest potential. We might love our mobiles but that’s because of what they do, not what they are. I like my phone’s screen quality, its camera and that it keeps me online all the time. If all that connectivity could be built in to my eyewear, then this could be truly useful.
GLASS ACTIONS
The nod: Tilt your head back to activate the display. Say “OK Glass” and give your instructions. Get directions, call a friend, send a message, video call, share pictures directly to Facebook or Twitter.
The photo wink: Wink with your right eye while looking at the screen and Glass will take a photo.
The news: With the New York Times and CNN Breaking News apps you can have news alerts pushed to your Glass display. Tap to watch video clips or hear article summaries read aloud.
The money: A new payment app called Eaze is not official Glassware, but lets Glass users make low-cost purchases by nodding twice. Currently the app works with bitcoin only.
The lingo: Say, “OK Glass, translate this” and as you read an Italian menu, Glass will translate it for you.
The fitness: The Strava cycling and running app provides a heads-up display of speed, GPS, maps and heart rate data as you work out.
The food: Get step-by-step cooking guides on the display. You’ll still have to use oily fingers to s