Congress wants to know a little more about Google Glass privacy guidelines, sends a friendly letter to Larry Page in the process

by Roy Alugbue on May 17th 2013, 9:27am
tagged congress, glass, Google

Considering Google has had a history of well… questionable privacy guidelines for its products and services, Congress is taking some preliminary measures to ensure the Glass headset will adhere to some privacy safeguards we’ve all come to love. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, 8 members of Congress wrote a letter directly to Larry Page insisting on a discussion of the privacy implications of not just the Glass headset, but the technology that comes along with it. The biggest concern? The letter specifically highlights “privacy implications”, while highlighting the “facial recognition technology” that could potentially provide the personal information of any one single individual the Glass camera is pointed at.

As it stands, Google has declined any comments on the letter as of now— but we suspect it won’t be long before it provides a formal response indicating the Glass headset will more than certainly be compliant with our strict privacy standards. You can check out the letter for yourself at the source link below.

source: Wall Street Journal Blog

Patent filed for Google smartwatch with touchpad functions similar to Glass

by James Gray on May 2nd 2013, 1:45pm
tagged glass, Google, smartwatch

As if Google Glass wasn’t enough, Google decided they want to take over your wrist too, filing patents for a new smartwatch with some features similar to Glass. This is definitely not the first Android-powered watch, or even the first watch design from Google, but it does seem to be at least very different from its competitors. Combining what appears to be two touchpads on either side of the watch’s face will allow for gesture-based control such as “pinch, stretch and scroll on a platform with limited space available for user input” not unlike Glass. However, with any luck the watch will not be voice-controlled.

Speculation aside, 2013 is looking to be a good year for Android-powered watches with Samsung also working on a watch of their own. Check back with us for more information on these projects as we get it.

Source: USPTO
Via: Engadget

Larry Page confirms that Android does indeed run Google Glass

by Macky Evangelista on Apr 19th 2013, 12:42am
tagged Android, glass, Google

In a recent interview, Google’s very own Larry Page has finally confirmed that Google Glass does indeed run the Android operating system. While it was widely assumed so, no official confirmation has ever been made until now. While it is a modified version of Android, it is nice to see the flexibility of Google’s operating system and it’s diversity in cross-platform.

What does this mean for Glass’ future? Well, integration with Glass and your Android powered smartphone or any other device would be easy and probably recommended.

Does this confirmation make you guys any more excited for Google’s Glass’ impending release?

source: Techcrunch

Rent Google Glass starting April 30th?

by Jeff Causey on Apr 1st 2013, 8:53pm
tagged April Fool's, BorrowLenses, glass, Google

As the curtain starts to drop on April Fool’s Day 2013, we have witnessed all sorts of pranks from Google Blue to treasure maps to the shutting down of YouTube. However, most of these are far too easy to immediately identify as an April Fool’s joke. Fortunately, online camera rental site BorrowLenses.com has come to the rescue with an item on their site that makes you pause and consider whether it is real or not. BorrowLenses has a listing for the rental of Google Glass devices which they indicate are expected to be available on April 30th.

It would make sense for BorrowLenses to make Google Glass devices available for videographers. Their catalog includes other point-of-view and wearable devices, so why not Google Glass. However, the listing includes several hardware details that have not been previously disclosed. If BorrowLenses actually got their hands on some of the devices, releasing this information seems like it might get them in some hot water with Google.

What do you think – April Fool’s joke or real item listing? If you don’t think it is real, do you wish it were true?

source: BorrowLenses
via: Phandroid

Leaks & Rumors about Motorola’s X and Upcoming Nexus Smartphones

by Jason Bracey on Mar 28th 2013, 9:34pm
tagged glass, Google, leaks, Motorola X Phone, nexus, rumor, smartwatch

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for some interesting news from the rumor mill. We have been seeing a hint here and another one there indicating what Google & Motorola has planned for its upcoming X smartphone. And although there have been rumors and speculation floating around for a while now, we have in fact, began to see more and more leaks about Motorola’s upcoming X phone. As if you all haven’t had enough yet, we now have more rumors to share with you courtesy of our friends from Android and Me. These leaks and rumors seem to come from a “confirmed source” of proven reliability…so hang on to your seats as we break down the latest and greatest!

» Read the rest

[Video] Galaxy Nexus Submitted to Vicious Scratch Test

by Stacy Bruce on Nov 17th 2011, 2:07pm
tagged display, fortified, glass, Gorilla glass, samsung galaxy nexus, scratch test, screen, video

Many of you have expressed concern with the fact that Samsung has decided to equip the Galaxy Nexus with an alternative fortified glass as opposed to Corning’s Gorilla Glass. Just because the the popular glass maker wasn’t chosen to outfit the GN’s display doesn’t mean that Sammy cut any corners.

A video recently surfaced on the interweb showing somebody putting the screen to the test by trying to scratch the crap out of it with a key. Although I definitely cringed a bit and felt a shiver down my spine, I was pleased to see the outcome. Here, just check it out for yourself and tell us what you think. Will you be issuing such a test once you get your mitts on one?

Gorilla Glass Maker Corning Inc. Announces Lotus Glass For Higher Resolution Displays

by Justin Routhier on Oct 28th 2011, 3:04am
tagged Android, corning, glass, Gorilla glass, high-res, lcd, lotus glass, OLED, youtube

Even a full-fledged Android novice could tell you about Gorilla Glass, the high strength glass used as a protective cover for touch screens that offer superior scratch resistance and unbelievable durability. Corning Incorporated, the developer responsible for its technology (and as a side effect, countless YouTube videos featuring people wielding household items like keys and screwdrivers against their GG-clad devices) has now announced the launch of a new display material called Lotus Glass.

Corning released a statement this week saying that the new material provides more “thermal and dimensional stability”, which is greatly needed in order to endure the harsh conditions of repeated heating and cooling cycles required as part of the process of attaching high-res displays. Aimed for use with LCD and OLED screens, Corning says Lotus Glass will enable them to create screens with “higher resolution and faster response times.”

As this particular technology continues to evolve, I can’t help but to look forward to a brand new slew of viral videos showing confident consumers displaying their LG-clad devices holding up against sharp household objects in much, much higher resolution.

[via wired]

Polish Up Your Home Screen With Smoked Glass Clock Widget For Android

by Joe Sirianni on Sep 9th 2011, 7:28am
tagged Android, apps, clock, glass, smoked, widget

With the endless amount of clock widgets available for free on the Android Market today, the most difficult and daunting task is actually choosing one. But you can’t just pick any one. You need one that will appropriately compliment your home screen, right? That’s what we’re here for. Allow us to point you towards Smoked Glass Clock Widget by developer Factory Widgets. The sleek and contemporary design of this widget is sure to compliment your device’s background regardless of how busy it might be. The widget offers an array of features at a glance like calendar events, time, system information and weather forecasts.

The application comes with around 140 different skins to match up with your device’s current theme. The widget can be placed in multiple positions on the home screen and will even support your Honeycomb device. If you’ve been looking for a “polished” widget packed with as much information as you can possibly find, Smoked Glass Clock Widget should suffice. If you’re ready to give it a go, hit up our popular apps database for the download where you’ll also find a QR code available. If that’s not your forte, then you can grab the app over at the Android Market. Hit the break for some more screen shots of the application, and as always, feel free to leave a comment or two below. » Read the rest

Corning Inc. Gorilla glass protects Galaxy S phones

by Chris Moor on Aug 24th 2010, 12:11pm
tagged corning, galaxy, glass, gorilla, inc, incorporated, S, Samsung

Samsung has made quite an impact over the past month with the launch of their Galaxy S line. They’ve managed to release a Galaxy phone on every major network, all to favorable reviews. And with the official introduction of the Galaxy tablet just over a week away, Samsung shows no signs of slowing down. One feature that separates Samsung’s phones from the competition is the Super AMOLED displays. What many may not realize is that offering this display has been made possible due to Corning Inc. and their Gorilla® glass. This alkali-aluminosilicate glass is thin, scratch-resistant, durable, and environmentally friendly. Without such a durable piece of glass protecting the AMOLED display, Samsung may not have been able to incorporate it in their phones. Here is what BJ Kang, senior manager of Samsung Electronics, had to say:

Advanced display technology plays a crucial role in meeting consumers’ growing expectations on high-end mobile devices, especially smartphones. Corning’s Gorilla glass has helped maximize Galaxy S’s unique smartphone features by enabling a high-quality touch display.

This glass was actually invented in 1962 but had been looking for a practical application ever since. Now with the need for a durable yet thin protective glass for handheld electronics, it seems Corning Inc. may have struck gold with this one.

[via Business Wire]