Google Glass received a major update today, one that adds all kinds of functionality to the wearable tech. With the new update, Glass “explorers” will now be able to take photos with a wink and share to YouTube and Google Hangouts. Also the new update adds support for an iOS version of the My Glass app.
“Chatting with your best friend, messaging everyone from your ski trip at once, sending picture messages… all of it is now possible on Glass,” the company’s announcement says. Now Glass users can turn on sharing for Hangouts and Youtube with the MyGlass companion app. Once it’s enabled, you can just say “OK Glass, share with YouTube” to upload videos.
Of course, the addition of the wink gesture to snap photos is the biggest news. A lot of the controversy around Google Glass has to do with the idea that glassholes can be surreptitiously snapping pictures on their devices at any time. With the new winking control, that’s become a reality, so expect to hear more about places of business blocking Google Glass.
Google announced the update on its Google+ page. For more information the announcement follows below:
December #GlassUpdates: It’s the most wonderful time of the year
You’ve shared your wishes, we’ve made our list and checked it twice, and now we’re closing out 2013 with some of your most popular requests.
Lock Screen
We get a lot of questions from Explorers about ways to make Glass even more secure, so this month we’re adding the ability to lock your screen. Just like with your laptop or phone, no one can use your locked Glass until you enter your secret Glass handshake using taps and swipes. You can set it up in Settings.
Hangouts
You’ve told us you love video calls on Glass, but you’ve made it clear that you want Hangouts messages on Glass too. Well now we’ve got it. Chatting with your best friend, messaging everyone from your ski trip at once, sending picture messages… all of it is now possible on Glass. You can enable the Hangouts Glassware and update your messaging preferences at MyGlass.
Upload to YouTube
Some of the videos you record through Glass are pure gold, and worthy of sharing with other people. You can now upload those must-share moments by enabling the YouTube Glassware on MyGlass. Once you’re done recording, either tap on the video and swipe to the YouTube share card, or say “ok glass, share with YouTube.” So go on, share that video of you at the zoo, #throughglass.
Wink
Glass is about helping you look up and experience the world around you without getting bogged down by technology. Based on this philosophy, we’ve got a new setting that lets you quickly and easily capture the moments you care about with a simple wink of the eye. Whether it’s capturing an amazing sunset on an evening walk, or photographing your receipt for the lunch you’ll need to expense, you can now stay in the moment and wink to take a picture instantly. If you want to turn it on, just swipe over to Settings.
We’re starting with pictures, but just think about what else is possible. Imagine a day where you’re riding in the back of a cab and you just wink at the meter to pay. You wink at a pair of shoes in a shop window and your size is shipped to your door. You wink at a cookbook recipe and the instructions appear right in front of you – hands-free, no mess, no fuss. Pretty cool, right?
Music
We recently introduced music and it really is the gift that keeps on giving. +Google Play Music All Access subscribers can pick between their playlists and radio, or try “I’m feeling lucky” to create a radio station based on previous listening history. In addition to using voice, you can also tap on “ok glass” and then “listen” to choose your favorite songs.
iOS App
Great news iPhone fans, the iOS app is ready, but we need you to have this month’s Glass update first before it will work. We know we spilled the beans a bit too soon, but we’ll let you know when it’s available for download later this week.
As always, you can find the rest of our updates in the MyGlass Explorers Community.
#glassupdates #nocoalforyou