A day after reports leaked that Microsoft might be developing a smart watch, Google has revealed specifications for its X Lab innovation, Google Glass.
The search engine giant has released the full specification sheet for the Glass hardware, which is one of the most anticipated wearable devices. According to TechCrunch, Google Glass will be able to connect with any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone through its MyGlass companion app, which runs on Android 4.0.3+.
The most important part of the wearable device is the display, which is claimed to be the equivalent of a 25-inch HD screen from eight feet away. It is also equipped with a 5MP camera and can record 720p videos. Besides having a Bluetooth connection, the device will also be able to connect via WiFi.
When it comes to storage, the device itself will be equipped with 16GB of flash, 12GB of it usable. It can also be synced with Google's cloud storage service.
Google claims Glass will have enough battery power to last a full day of regular usage, but extended recording and features like Hangout could drain the battery faster. A micro USB cable and charger are also included with the device.
Google Glass has a special sound feature, called the Bone Conduction Transducer, which transmits sound from the device to the wearer's inner ear and then to the skull, meaning regular headphones don't have to be used.
Glass apps
Google's MyGlass companion app, which allows users to configure and manage their devices, is live and available for download from the Google Play store. It has already received an overall five-star rating from those who have the Glass device and are using the app.
In March, Google Project Glass held a developer panel at the SXSW Interactive conference and showcased some of the first third-party apps that would be integrated into Google Glass. These apps include Gmail, Evernote, Path and The New York Times.
All of the integrated apps also fit into the "timeline card" interface, whereby short snippets of useful information are displayed in the user's peripheral vision. The timeline cards are conceptually similar to the cards displayed on devices running Google Now. These cards can consist of images, text or bundles of expandable data, which can be accessed by tapping the side of the headset.
With Gmail, Glass wearers can read and configure e-mails, while incoming e-mails are displayed with a message subject line as well as a picture of the sender.
Google Glass is selling for $1 500 in the US.
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