Google Glass

Google Glass

Google Glass is an augmented-reality headset created by the search engine giant to work with your Android smartphone or iPhone through Bluetooth. It is voice-controlled and can be used using controls on the side of the device. Initially a lab-based project Glass was designed as a way for users to be always connected to the internet even when they’re walking around. To do this they came up with the idea of a completely integrated augmented-reality headset that would let you multi-task without hindering walking or movement.

Google Glass release date At present Glass has been released in an 'Explorer' version which has been built for competition winners and developers allowing them to work on building apps ready for the products eventual consumer release. It’s then believed that a much cheaper version of Google Glass will become available with a projected release date of late 2013 or early 2014. 

Google Glass price Google Glass has an official price tag of $1,500 (£992), this was set for competition winners who will be able to get Google Glass early. It’s believed that a fully consumer-ready version will be available late 2013 or 2014 at a greatly-reduced price so it can compete with the smart watches that are reportedly set to appear later this year. 

Google Glass specifications 

Google Glass is essentially a metallic frame with the hardware attached to the right-side. Despite the size of the the glass eyepiece and the input controller the whole unit weighs in at just 42g. Google Glass has Bluetooth and WiFi, there has no confirmation however that there will be a Google Glass 3G instead it’s believed the headset will use data through your iPhone or smartphone. It also comes with GPS to aid in location tracking and will sport touch controls on the device itself while a mic means it’ll be voice-controlled. Google Glass has a 5MP camera, first demonstrated when Google’s Sergey Brin unveiled the Glass through a Google Hangout between himself and skydivers who were also using Glass headsets. The Glass camera can shoot video up to 720p and then share that with either YouTube or to contacts via Google+ Hangouts. While we know the screen on Glass is capable of showing full colour images, maps and basic information there’s no word on an actual resolution of the display. Google's own words are that this is a HD capable screen that will recreate an image to the equivalent size of 25-inches, while that's nothing on the Sony 3D Personal Viewer it's certainly impressive given its size.