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Google Glass Explorer Programme Comes To UK

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Google Glass Explorer Programme Comes To UK


News

Richard Goodwin

17:37, 23 Jun 2014

Google has finally opened up its Google Glass Explorer Programme to UK residents

After an initial rollout in the US, Google has finally brought its Glass Explorer Programme to the UK. From today, users in Britain hungry to try out Google Glass can sign up with the search giant and secure themselves a pair.

It doesn’t come cheap though – signing up to become an Explorer costs £1000. But that does get you a Google Glass headset. The initiative has been on-going for a year or so now in the US, and is essentially a way for Google to get feedback on its product ahead of a wider consumer release. 

Google Glass release date?

“Technology is at its best when it fits seamlessly into our lives and lets us get on with whatever we’re doing. Our goal for Glass is exactly that – to make it easier to bring people the technology they rely on without drawing them out of the moment,” said Ivy Ross, Head of Glass.

Don’t know what Glass is? Check out our Wikipedia-style article on Google Glass. Inside you’ll find literally everything you need to know about the headset including specs, hardware, how it’s being used and what you, dear user, can do with it once it is strapped to your noggin. 

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the main ways people are using it, according to Google: 

  • Search – Whether it’s translating a phrase into another language, or getting the solution to a tough math problem, Glass gets you the answers you want to the questions you ask it almost instantly (watch this video of some fun examples of Search on Glass). 
  • Navigation – Glass will give you turn-by-turn directions to help you find the fastest route to your destination.
  • Gmail and Calendar – Gmail and Calendar are both available on Glass making checking email, or seeing when your next appointment is quick and easy. 
  • Now cards – From the latest traffic update to work, to that delay in your flight, Google Now is about giving you just the right information at just the right time. On Glass it’s faster and easier than ever before. 
  • Phone Calls & SMS – By connecting via bluetooth to your phone, Glass lets you easily and quickly call your contacts. It’s also great for speech-to-text transcription, making texting as fast as well… talking. 
  • Photos, Videos and Video calls – Technology should bring people closer together by connecting us in the real world, not taking us out of it. Glass does this by letting you capture and share great moments without ever having to leave them.

Google announced Glass way back in April 2013, and the launch in the UK is nothing short of being a massive deal. To celebrate the big day, Google has put together a video, shot entirely using Glass, of a bunch of people bombing around London. Interestingly, the first two shots were taken right outside our offices!

“The Glass UK Explorer edition costs £1000 and is available to British residents over the age of 18 with a valid credit card,” said Google in a note to the press. “Glass is still a prototype and will continue to be developed before it is made available to more consumers.”

To date we’ve seen the Glass headset used to train pilots, airport staff in first class lounges, policemen and emergency services staff, as well as doctors and nurses. And that’s just in the US, with the UK programme now underway in earnest, you can expect to start seeing Glass users popping up all over the place.

To coincide with the launch, Google also confirmed several new, UK-facing Glasswear partners – The Guardian, Star Chart, Zombies Run, and Goal.com.

News Richard Goodwin 17:37, 23 Jun 2014

Google has lastly opened up its Google Glass Explorer Programme to UK residents

After an preliminary rollout within the US, Google has lastly introduced its Glass Explorer Programme to the UK. From at present, customers in Britain hungry to check out Google Glass can enroll with the search big and safe themselves a pair.

It doesn’t come low cost although – signing as much as turn into an Explorer prices £one thousand. However that does get you a Google Glass headset. The initiative has been on-going for a yr or so now within the US, and is actually a approach for Google to get suggestions on its product forward of a wider shopper launch. 

Google Glass launch date?

“Know-how is at its greatest when it matches seamlessly into our lives and lets us get on with no matter we’re doing. Our aim for Glass is strictly that - to make it simpler to deliver individuals the know-how they depend on with out drawing them out of the second,” stated Ivy Ross, Head of Glass.

Don’t know what Glass is? Take a look at our Wikipedia-fashion article on Google Glass. Inside you’ll discover actually every little thing you might want to know concerning the headset together with specs, hardware, the way it’s getting used and what you, pricey consumer, can do with it as soon as it's strapped to your noggin. 

Right here’s a fast rundown of a number of the principal methods individuals are utilizing it, in line with Google: 

  • Search - Whether or not it’s translating a phrase into one other language, or getting the answer to a troublesome math drawback, Glass will get you the solutions you need to the questions you ask it virtually immediately (watch this video of some enjoyable examples of Search on Glass). 
  • Navigation - Glass provides you with flip-by-flip instructions that will help you discover the quickest path to your vacation spot.
  • Gmail and Calendar - Gmail and Calendar are each obtainable on Glass making checking e mail, or seeing when your subsequent appointment is fast and straightforward. 
  • Now playing cards - From the newest visitors replace to work, to that delay in your flight, Google Now's about supplying you with simply the correct info at simply the best time. On Glass it’s quicker and simpler than ever earlier than. 
  • Telephone Calls & SMS - By connecting by way of bluetooth to your telephone, Glass allows you to simply and shortly name your contacts. It’s additionally nice for speech-to-textual content transcription, making texting as quick as nicely... speaking. 
  • Photographs, Movies and Video calls - Know-how ought to deliver individuals nearer collectively by connecting us in the actual world, not taking us out of it. Glass does this by letting you seize and share nice moments with out ever having to go away them.

Google announced Glass way back in April 2013, and the launch within the UK is nothing in need of being an enormous deal. To rejoice the large day, Google has put collectively a video, shot completely utilizing Glass, of a bunch of individuals bombing round London. Apparently, the primary two photographs have been taken proper outdoors our workplaces!

“The Glass UK Explorer version prices £one thousand and is accessible to British residents over the age of 18 with a legitimate bank card,” stated Google in a word to the press. “Glass continues to be a prototype and can proceed to be developed earlier than it's made out there to extra shoppers.”

So far we’ve seen the Glass headset used to coach pilots, airport employees in first-class lounges, policemen and emergency providers employees, in addition to docs and nurses. And that’s simply within the US, with the UK programme now underway in earnest, you possibly can anticipate to start out seeing Glass customers popping up all over.

To coincide with the launch, Google additionally confirmed a number of new, UK-dealing with Glasswear companions – The Guardian, Star Chart, Zombies Run, and Aim.com.

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