INTRODUCTION · 2014-10-07 · GOOGLE GLASSES 100810107056 VICT/CE/5th e 1 INTRODUCTION GOOGLE GLASS Google Glass (styled "GLΛSS") is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted

GOOGLE GLASSES 100810107056

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INTRODUCTION

GOOGLE GLASS

Google Glass (styled "GLΛSS") is a wearable computer with an optical head-

mounted display (OHMD) that is being developed by Google in the Project Glass research

and development project, with the mission of producing a mass-market ubiquitous computer.

Google Glass displays information in a Smartphone-like hands-free format that can interact

with the Internet via natural language voice commands.

While the frames do not currently have lenses fitted to them, Google is considering

partnerships with sunglass retailers such as Ray-Ban or Warby Parker, and may also open

retail stores to allow customers to try on the device. The Explorer Edition cannot be used by

people who wear prescription glasses, but Google has confirmed that Glass will eventually

work with frames and lenses that match the wearer's prescription; the glasses will be modular

and therefore possibly attachable to normal prescription glasses.

Glass is being developed by Google x, which has worked on other futuristic

technologies such as driverless cars. The project was announced on Google+ by Project Glass

lead Babak Parviz, an electrical engineer who has also worked on putting displays into

contact lenses; Steve Lee, a product manager and "geolocation specialist"; and Sebastian

Thrun, who developed Udacity as well as worked on the autonomous car project. Google has

patented the design of Project Glass. Thad Starner, anaugmented reality expert, is a technical

lead/manager on the project.


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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

For the developer Explorer units

Android 4.0.4 and higher

640×360 display

5-megapixel camera, capable of 720p video recording

Wi-Fi 802.11b/g

Bluetooth

16GB storage (12 GB available)

Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 SoC 1.2 GHz Dual (ARMv7)

682MB RAM

3 axis gyroscope

3 axis accelerometer

3 axis magnetometer (compass)

Ambient light sensing and proximity sensor

Bone conduction transducer

Fig. 1


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APPLICATIONS

Applications (Glassware)

Google Glass applications (Glassware) are free applications built by third-party

developers. Glass also uses many existing Google applications, such as Google Now, Google

Maps, Google+, and Gmail.

Third-party applications announced at South by Southwest (SXSW) include Ever

note, Skitch, The New York Times, and Path.

On April 15, 2013, Google released the Mirror API, allowing developers to start

making apps for Glass. In the terms of service, it is stated that developers may not put ads in

their apps or charge fees; a Google representative told The Verge that this might change in

the future.

Many developers and companies have built applications for Glass, including news

apps, facial recognition, photo manipulation, and sharing to social networks, such as

Facebook and Twitter.

On 16 May 2013, Google announced the release of seven new apps, including

reminders from Ever note, fashion news from Elle, and news alerts from CNN. Following

Google‘s XE7 Glass Explorer Edition update in early July 2013, evidence of a "Glass

Boutique", a store that will allow synchronization to Glass of Glassware and APKs, was

noted.


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Voice actions

Other than the touchpad, Google Glass can be controlled using "voice actions". To

activate Glass, wearers tilt their heads upward or tap the touchpad, and say "O.K., Glass."

Once Glass is activated, wearers can say an action, such as "Take a picture", "Record a

video", "Hangout with [person/Google+ circle]", "Google, what year was Wikipedia

founded?'", "Give me directions to the Eiffel Tower", and "Send a message to John" (many of

these commands can be seen in a product video released in February 2013).

For search results that are read back to the user, the voice response is relayed using

bone conduction through a microphone that sits beside the ear, thereby rendering the sound

almost inaudible to other people.


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WORKING

Reception

There have been parodies and criticisms aimed at the general notion of augmented reality

glasses, ranging from the potential for Google to insert advertising (its main source of

revenue) to more dystopian outcomes.[specify][citation needed] However, Google has stated

it has no plans to insert advertising.

In November 2012, Glass received recognition by Time Magazine as one of the "Best

Inventions of the Year 2012", alongside inventions such as the Curiosity Rover.

After a visit to the University of Cambridge by Google's chairman Eric Schmidt in February

2013, Wolfson College professor John Naughton praised the Glass and compared it with the

achievements of hardware and networking pioneer Douglas Engelbart. Naughton wrote that

Engelbart believed that machines "should do what machines do best, thereby freeing up

humans to do what they do best".

Privacy concerns

The eyewear's functionality and minimalist appearance have been compared to Steve

Mann's Eye Tap, also known as "Glass" or "Digital Eye Glass", although Google Glass is a

"Generation-1 Glass" compared to Eye Tap, which is a "Generation-4 Glass". According to

Mann, both devices affect both privacy and secrecy by introducing a two-sided surveillance

and surveillance.

Concerns have been raised by various sources regarding the intrusion of privacy, and

the etiquette and ethics of using the device in public and recording people without their

permission. There is controversy that Google Glass would violate privacy rights due to

security problems and others. Privacy advocates are concerned that people wearing such

eyewear may be able to identify strangers in public using facial recognition, or surreptitiously

record and broadcast private conversations. Some companies in the U.S. have posted anti-

Google Glass signs in their establishments.

Other concerns have been raised regarding legality of the Glass in a number of

countries, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other post-USSR countries. In February 2013,

a Google+ user noticed legal issues with Glass and posted in the Glass Explorers community


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about the issues, stating that the device may be illegal to use according to the current

legislation in Russia and Ukraine, which prohibits use of spy gadgets that can record video,

audio or take photographs in an inconspicuous manner.

However, Glass has a 10 second limit to all recorded videos unless otherwise chosen.

Also, the way one must start filming is rather conspicuous, because you must voice your

intentions to the device. Likewise, the recording light above the camera is a rather obvious

giveaway to the intentions of the holder. [Citation needed]

Concerns were also raised for the privacy and security of the Glass user in the event

that the device is stolen or lost, an issue that was raised by a US congressional committee. As

part of its response to the governmental committee, Google stated in early July that is

working on a locking system and raised awareness of the ability of users to remotely reset

Glass from the web interface in the event of loss.

Safety concerns

Concerns have also been raised in regards to operating motor vehicles while

wearing the device. West Virginia state representative Gary G. Howell has introduced an

amendment to the state's law against texting while driving that would include bans against

"using a wearable computer with head mounted display." In an interview, Howell stated,

"The primary thing is a safety concern, it (the glass headset) could project text or video into

your field of vision. I think there's a lot of potential for distraction."

But from testimonials of explorers, the prism screen is above the right eye, not

in the direct field of view. "The screen seems to be off to the side of the line of sight, so I

don't see much potential for intense distraction."


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Terms of service

Under the Google Glass terms of service for the Glass Explorer pre-public

release program, it specifically states, "you may not resell, loan, transfer, or give your device

to any other person. If you resell, loan, transfer, or give your device to any other person

without Google's authorization, Google reserves the right to deactivate the device, and neither

you nor the unauthorized person using the device will be entitled to any refund, product

support, or product warranty.

"Wired commented on this policy of a company claiming ownership of its

product after it had been sold, saying: "Welcome to the New World, one in which companies

are retaining control of their products even after consumers purchase them." Others pointed

out that Glass was not for public sale at all, but rather in private testing for selected

developers, and that not allowing developers in a closed beta to sell to the public is not the

same as banning consumers from reselling a publicly released device.

Pre-release Bans

Due to the potential privacy violating capabilities of Google Glass, several facilities

banned the use of Google Glass before its release to the general public. Others, such as Las

Vegas casino Caesars Palace, banned Google Glass, citing their desire to comply with

Nevada state law and common gaming regulations which ban the use of recording devices

near gambling areas. Additionally, there was a petition on the White House website calling

on President Obama to issue a nationwide ban on Google Glass until clear limits on privacy

can be established on the technology.


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Display: Projection

You might assume that a head mounted display would try to place a screen in front of

the eye for users to look at. Google Glass even appears to house a tiny little display in front of

the eye. However, there are a few problems with that sort of technology, mainly due to the

fact that focusing on objects at very close range is virtually impossible. Instead Google Glass

works by beaming an image directly onto the retina at the back of your eye.

The clever virtual HUD overlay is actually based on quite a simple premise: there‘s a

mini-projector located inside Google Glass which projects an image onto a semi-transparent

prism. As the prism is semi-transparent, the projector‘s image is reflected into the user‘s

retina whilst still allowing for regular light to pass through the prism and into the eye.

As everyone‘s faces and eyes are slightly different, Google Glass allows for the angle

of the prism to be adjusted slightly in order to obtain optimal focus for the project image.

If you haven‘t already seen this handy info graphic then you should check it out, as

that will hopefully make everything crystal clear.

Fig. 2


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Audio: Bone-conduction

Perhaps the most interesting piece of technology used in Google Glass, especially for

an audio buff like myself, is the use of bone conduction in order to transmit audio to the

wearer‘s ear.

The remarkable thing is that we‘re all used to hearing this sort of thing every time we

talk. Vibrations in the throat travel through the more ridged material of our jaw and

cheekbones, which are connected up to the inner workings of the ear.

The technology used in Google Glass works in much the same way, sending

vibrations through your bones to the inner ear. Usually sound waves pass through the

auditory canal and on to the eardrum, which vibrates when exposed to the energy from sound

waves. On the other side of the eardrum there are three small bones, the ossicles, which

transmit the vibration to the cochlea. The cochlea is tiny a fluid-filled structure which

contains miniscule hair like stereovilli, which are stimulated by vibrations and convert the

energy to electrical impulses that are sent along the auditory nerve to the brain.

When the bones vibrate the sound reaches the cochlea just as it would when sound

waves pass through the middle ear and vibrate the eardrum. So even though the method of

transmission is different, the sound is detected by the nerves and transmitted to the brain in

exactly the same way.

Touchpad

Navigation was always going to be a key issue for Google Glass. Without keys or a

touch screen, finding your way to many of the behind the scenes options and settings would

be a pain. Fortunately Google Glass includes a touchpad on the right hand side, just behind

the camera, which adds this important functionality.

The touchpad is used for accessing more advanced menu options and context sensitive

options like sharing, deleting, etc. Tapping the touchpad will grant users access to menus, and

swiping backwards or forwards along the touchpad is used to navigate. To cancel or back out

of certain actions users need slide their finger from the top to the bottom of the touchpad.

The touchpad is also used for voice calls, user‘s swipe up and tap to accept incoming

calls and swipe down to reject, same thing for hanging up.


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Capture button

On top of navigating your way through various menus, voice commands aren‘t always

necessarily the fastest or most appropriate method of performing a certain task. Take

photographs or video for example, clicking a button is simpler and faster than speaking a

command. But the Google engineers foresaw this problem, and have included a button

specifically for taking pictures and recording video.

Software

By now we all know how Google Glass works, at least as far as putting it on your

head and transmitting information from device to user. But the real functionality lies in the

software.

Voice commands

I am sure you have all seen the videos showing off the ease in which users can direct

Google Glass to perform certain actions. This is the core of the Google Glass experience,

voice commands will be the main way to get things done. All of the most common actions

you are likely to undertake using Google Glass can all be accomplished through the use of

voice commands. All the tasks start with the phrase ―OK GLASS‖, followed by whatever you

would like the Google Glass to do.

Fig. 3


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The blind can now “see” with Google Glass

Google launched its Glass project with the developer community earlier this year, and

there has been much buzz about what the platform can do. But while Glass applications

mostly add an augmented-reality visual layer of data meant for seeing, one big potential

application would be enabling the visually impaired to ―see.‖

A Google Glass developer is building tools to enable the blind to see through audible

means. The system is intended to work like sonar — the positioning technology used in

submarines and by some sea mammals — in determining the position of objects around the

person. There are actually existing technologies and applications that use the same principle,

although these have limitations. For instance, the voice app for Android will basically

describe things around you through speech. The app tries to identify objects and proximity

through the Android device's camera.

However, the limitation is that the camera actually needs to ―see‖ the environment,

and you need to wear earphones. That's not exactly a practical solution. Firstly, it's not hands-

free, unless you can mount your Smartphone on your body or clothing. Secondly, earphones

can be quite cumbersome. Here's where Google Glass comes into play.

Glass comes with two things that will be important in this application:

First is the head-mounted camera, which moves along with your own head

movements.

Second is the use of bone conduction to transfer audio to your inner ear. This means

no more need for cumbersome earphones and headphones. Just wear the Glass

headset and you are good to go.

This assumes, of course, that the headset is paired with an Android device for sight-

to-sound translation. A current limitation, too, is that sight-to-sound works best with stereo

headphones, which gives the brain a better way of positioning the sound relative to a three-

dimensional space. Otherwise, it might just end up confusing because you will hear an object

description, but will not know where exactly it is.

This new development will not exactly restore vision, although it's a good substitute

until that time in the distant future when we can directly interface our devices with our brains.

Check out the video for a sample of how voice gives audible cues (like ―pings‖) to help

navigate through a 3D space.

You can also check out the voice for Android project page (in the source links)

for a better description of how the application works. If you're curious as to the capitalization,

think of OIC as ―oh, I see.‖


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ADVANTAGES

Advantages and benefits of Google Glass

Just say ‗Take a Picture‘ to capture a photo.

We can record video using Google Glass and we can also share this through Google

+, Facebook and Twitter.

Google Glass shows the direction

Just say 'Take a Picture' to capture a photo.

Just talk to leave a message.

We can ask any question to Google Glass, Google will answer it within seconds.

We can translate our language to another.

Google Glass is strong and Simple

Google glass is available on different colours.

Fig. 4


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DISADVANTAGES

Disadvantages of Google Glass

Google Glass prices 1000$ to 5000$.It is too costly for ordinary people.

Google Glass is not Pocket Friendly

We can't adjust the size of Google Glass.

There is no information about the health problems by using Google Glass.

Google Glass is coming with a tiny battery. So, it lasts for 4-5 hours.

Google Glass will show advertisements.


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APPLICATIONS

Google Glass uses that could revolutionise businesses

With Google Glass firmly in its test stage people around the world are coming up with

nifty ideas for applications.

Interestingly – unlike certain other tech companies such as Apple, which takes a

closed approach to its testing process – Google is calling on these forward thinkers to offer

suggestions about what they'd like Glass to do when it is fully released.

We've decided to help Google out; offering the tech giant 10 ways we think Glass can

help businesses.

Entertainment

Watching YouTube when stuck in a boring work meeting No matter how exciting

your job is, at some point in your career you are going to be stuck in a boring meeting or

presentation.

In these dull situations there's always a temptation to simply stop paying attention,

pull out your Smartphone and enjoy some good old-fashioned YouTube antics.

To date, this temptation has always been countermanded by the inevitable telling off

you'd get from your boss for slacking off. But with the arrival of Google Glass, a tech that

lets you covertly surf the web, this dilemma could soon be solved.

Looking like a boss

Putting aside serious productivity benefits, Google Glass has one other serious

business benefit – it's stupidly expensive.

While to most people this is a serious roadblock rather than a positive, since the

arrival of the yuppie it's a proven fact that young managers like to squander cash on status

symbols.

Be it the brick-sized "mobile" telephones of the 1980s or the timeless and pointless

red sports car that remains permanently stationary outside every yuppie's Zone 1 flat, young

professionals are hell bent on getting the most expensive toy they can to prove how superior

they are to those below them.


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2286350/top-10-google-glass-uses-that-could-

revolutionise-businesses

https://www.techbrowzer.blogspot.in/2013/07/google-glass-advantages-and.html

https://www.googleimages.com/googleglasses

https://www.wikipedia.com/googleglasses

https://www.howstuffworks.com/googleglasses

https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2286350/top-10-google-glass-uses-that-could-revolutionise-businesses

https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2286350/top-10-google-glass-uses-that-could-revolutionise-businesses

https://www.techbrowzer.blogspot.in/2013/07/google-glass-advantages-and.html

https://www.googleimages.com/googleglasses

https://www.wikipedia.com/googleglasses

https://www.howstuffworks.com/googleglasses

Documents

INTRODUCTION · 2014-10-07 · GOOGLE GLASSES 100810107056 VICT/CE/5th e 1 INTRODUCTION GOOGLE GLASS Google Glass (styled "GLΛSS") is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted