Google Glass might not be a commercial product yet but that hasn’t stopped Google rolling out a software update for the small collective of testers who’ve already got their hands on the wearable device.
The update, designated XE5, makes a number of changes and adds extra support to the software platform, which Google recently revealed is in fact a version of Android.
Functionality has been expanded to allow incoming Google+ and Hangout notifications and the ability to comment on or +1 posts. Users can now publicly share Google Glass content on Google+ too.
Google Search has been tweaked and can now be activated at any time with a long-press on the Google Glass frame control.
Other enhancements include a general performance boost to what Google describes as ‘wicked fast’. Down with the kids, as ever. This does mean the device’s reaction to voice control is better than it was.
Battery life has also received a bump and the device displays power more accurately than it did in the previous build, it’s apparently changed how Glass syncs for background uploads to only allow them in specific circumstances.
Users can now submit crash reports, obviously a big plus for Google’s testing phase. International numbers are also now supported for SMS text messages and the messaging and contacts interface has been enhanced. The Device Info category is now more detailed too.
According to user feedback logs Google is considering enabling some customisation of the voice-activated ‘command initiation phrase’ which is currently ‘ok glass’. There’s also some concern over a lack of user identification, in the sense that anyone nearby can say ‘ok glass’ and activate commands whether they’re the device user or not. Google is apparently looking into integrating Google Goggles for QR code recognition.
by pbriden via Featured Articles
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