The idea of wearable computers was around for several decades. We’ve seen some prototype devices, but they were nowhere near polished enough for day to day usage. Google is the very first company to perfect a wearable computer as Google Project Glass. They have already released it to media and selected few people as Explorer Edition.
Google Glass is bringing many brand news idea in to the table. And it’s perfect timing. Mobile device market is saturated with technologies we know for years and their incremental updates. So Google Glass made a huge buzz all around web like no other mobile device.
Closer Look at Google Glass
Design
The design of Google Glass is same as any other sunglass. Right hand side hinge holds brain, camera and head mounted display. The battery is placed in same side behind the years. The explorer version comes with removable black glasses. Down the time there will be lot more options. More interestingly you might be able to get to prescribe a spectacle with Google Glass brain.
Display
Size: Head Mounted // Virtual // 25 inches // 8 feet away
Technology: Prism Projection
Resolution: 640x360px
This is the most interesting component in Google Glass. It’s a head mounted display projecting images right in to eyes through a prism to create a large virtual display. When you are wearing glasses you use this while driving, walking or any other work without any interruption.
Processor and Storage
Platform: IT OMAP
CPU: 1.2 GHz // Dual Core // Cortex A9
GPU: PowerVR SGX540
RAM: 1 GB
Internal Storage: 16 GB
Expandable Storage: N/A
This spec is exactly same a Samsung Galaxy Nexus released back in 2011 November. You might be thinking that this is antique compared to latest Android phones. But Google Glass is only an extension to your phone, not a replacement. It performs few selected and important operations.
After all my Galaxy Nexus still fits super fine with my day to day work such as email, social media, YouTube, camera and basic gaming. It’s a wise move to keep hardware power as low as possible to save battery.
Software
OS: Android 4.0.4 ICS
UI: Customized
In early promotional videos no one could guess what the OS in Google Glass is. Finally we got to know that its Google’s very own Android, yet bit old version. They UI is totally customized to fit with HMD and voice triggered operations. In addition it’s designed to identify eye movements and touch pad is there for additional operations.
As I said earlier this is an extension to your phone. You can use MyGlass app to connect an Android phone with Google Glass via Bluetooth. Then Glass can use GPS and data connectivity through the phone.
Camera
Primary: 5 MP // 720p@30fps
The camera is also same as Samsung Galaxy Nexus. I’m pretty sure that this camera will change the face of whole social images and videos. With this you can record videos, totally hands free even while you are walking or driving. You will be able to see interesting photos and videos in social media really soon. We already have few recorded with Google Glass Explorer Edition.
Connectivity
Mobile Network: N/A
Wi-Fi: 802.11b/g
GPS: via MyGlass companion App
Bluetooth: Yes
USB: microUSB 2.0
Audio: Bone condition
This is a wearable device. So it’s a not a good idea to include microwave transmitter in it. So Google Glass comes with Wi-Fi and BT only. Mainly it’s using BT to connect to your phone and use its data connectivity, GPS and other resources.
Once you pair this with your phone it will work as head set as well with built in microphone and bone condition audio.
Battery
We don’t have exact information about battery type and capacity. But according to Google it will be able to live for a whole day with general usage. This is a pretty small device, so it will have a small battery. Engineers must have taken desperate measures to save battery life as much as possible.
Wrapping Up
By now you must have figured out that this is a BT paired device working with your phone. Normally you are using such a device to extend microphone and speaker. But here you are getting a camera, head mounted display and processor as well.
Google Glass is already released as explorer edition to few selected people with $1500 price tag. They have already done amazing things with it. Some people have even rooted it.
It doesn’t need a genius to say that this will turn whole mobile device market upside down and open countless opportunities. To make all those happen, Google has to keep the price point low, like their other devices. If they manage to do it, this will make many new sales records in mobile device market and change the lifestyle of whole human civilization, like iPhone did back in 2007.
Tags: #Android #Google #Ice Cream Sandwich