Google has released a host of information about Google Glass, following an announcement that the first wave of Explorer Edition devices begin to ship to developers on the waiting list. 

The devices will be sent out in batches, initially to the 2,000 people who signed up at Google’s I/O developer conference last year.

 Specs

Google has released the devices full specs – Glass display will be the equivalent of a 25” high definition screen from eight feet away. It comes with 16GB of storage, 12GB of which is available to the user, and the battery should last one full day of typical use.

It also has a 5 MP camera, which can record video at 720p. Sound will be transmitted through a bone conduction transducer, which vibrates the  users inner ear directly, without needing any external speaker.

Glass is undeniably well tricked-out, then, there is one thing it does lack – a mobile connection. It will have wi-fi connectivity, but the only way to use SMS or GPS functionality is by connecting to a smartphone via a Bluetooth connection.

Whether Glass will always require the wearer to be using an Android phone, or whether apps for other platforms are in the works, is currently unclear.This requires the user to install the MyGlass companion app, which has just landed in the US Play Store. The app requires requires Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher. 

No Ads

Google also released the Google Mirror API, which enables third-party developers to create applications for the devices, and its terms of service state that: “You may not serve or include any advertisements in your API Client.”

Nor can user data collected through Glass apps be used for advertising purposes, or sold to third parties, raising the question of how exactly developers will monetise the platform.

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