Google Glass released the latest version of its software to enable a new set of exciting features.
The (short) wait is over for Google Glass Explorers: The latest version of the Google Glass operating software, XE9, was released midday on September 9.
Late last week Google created quite a stir among Explorers when Android users noticed Google had pushed an update to the Google Play store for the device's native MyGlass app to use an Android phone as a remote control. However, the app required a software update for Glass that didn't yet exist.
Now that XE9 is ready, the next time Google Glass is wired to a computer, software updates will automatically push to the device. Along with MyGlass, there are a list of additional new features and Google Now cards. Here's a summary as revealed by Google:
- Vignettes: These superimpose a screenshot of the Glass display over a picture. Whatever is on the display when the picture is taken will appear in the vignette [The photo shows a Denver street view from my office as I checked the temperature.]
- YouTube videos: Use Google Search to find and play videos
- Sound Search: Similar to phone apps like Shazam, Glass will listen and identify the name and artist of music it hears
- Google Apps Accounts: Still under construction, Google is testing linking the Glass service through the admin console of Google Apps
- Remote control: And of course MyGlass app 1.7 for android now allows users to use the screencast functionality to control their Google Glass
In addition to the above, Google also released several new Google Now cards further enhancing the Google Glass experience, including:
- Transit cards: Nearby mass transit directions directly on Glass
- Reminder cards: Set a reminder through Google on your mobile device to get reminded on the Glass timeline
- Nearby attractions: Glass will notify the wearer of nearby attractions
- Nearby photo spots: Glass will send timeline updates when wearers are away from home and approaching a notable photo opportunity
- News results: A Google search from Glass on a newsworthy topic will return a dedicated card on the subject
Overall, this appears to be an exciting and feature-rich update only bolstered by Google staying on its promised path of making frequent updates and also addressing feature requests. Now it's time to take all of the new features for a test drive.
