Google releases the XE12, gives Glass Explorers the update they’ve been waiting for
Google has officially released XE12, the latest OS update for Google Glass. In the true holiday spirit, Google has given Explorers plenty to be thankful for with the update.
XE12 includes full Hangouts support. Instead of relying on an Android device for only text conversations, or random e-mail conversations when paired with an iPhone, Glass users can now communicate through Glass using Hangouts. Huge.
More notable features include the addition of YouTube video uploading, an official lock screen, Play Music improvements, and the official release of the Wink feature. When enabled, Glass wearers can snap a photo with just a wink. Craziness.
Last but not least is that XE12 includes official support for an iOS version of the MyGlass app. Google slipped up and briefly released the app in the App Store this morning. Its since been pulled and will be officially released later this week.
The update this month rounds out a long list of features I have personally wanted to see on Glass, along with fellow Explorers.
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Got wood? Moto Maker does and it’ll cost you $100 extra
Motorola promised us Moto X’s made of wood many moons ago, and the day has finally arrived. Folks who like their electronics built of more… sustainable materials can head on over to the Moto Maker website and snag an X phone constructed of bamboo. The catch? (There’s always a catch.) To indulge your wooden inclinations, it’ll cost an extra $100 dollars over the standard personalized Moto X, and there’s currently a two-week wait to get one. So, you won’t be able to put it under the tree, but if you head on over to the source, you may just have it in hand to start 2014.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google
Via: Droid Life
Source: Moto Maker
Google Glass XE 12 update lets you wink to capture photos, adds new Hangouts and YouTube glassware
MyGlass for iOS isn’t the only big news to come out of Google’s Glass camp today. Turns out, the company’s issuing a major update, dubbed XE 12, for the intelligent eyewear that not only makes the complete Glass-to-iOS bridge possible, but also bundles in a few other bells, whistles and, yes, winks.
Let’s start there, shall we? Before today, the only way to take a photo with a wink was by way of a third-party app. But now, Google’s baked that functionality directly into the Explorer Edition of Glass, making those sly creepster shots even easier. Glassware’s also getting a major boost with the addition of Hangouts, for those of you that want to send SMS, chats or even video calls from your head, and YouTube for simple Glass video uploads. Apart from that significant feature boost, the Glassware for Google Play Music now offers explorers the ability to navigate by playlists or, if they’re All Access subscribers, radio stations.
XE 12 brings some much needed security along with it, too, giving Explorers the option to set a screen lock that turns on when you take Glass off or deactivate it. And because shooting off messages with the obnoxious “Sent Through Glass” was a little too… obnoxious, Google’s cut that outgoing signature from SMS, though it’ll still be present on all outgoing emails. Know what else is getting the axe? Guest Mode. According to Google, the feature was just too much of a strain for its devs to maintain, so if you want to impress with Glass, just hand’em over freely or take Google’s advice and create a demo account.
And finally, because Google likes to be cute, you can now ask Glass for helpful caloric counts or even “How far to Brooklyn?” (the answer: No Sleep Til Brooklyn) — because everyone, even Google, loves the Beastie Boys.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Google
On The Gadget Table: the products that defined 2013
The snow is falling, the trees are all lit up and servers everywhere are beginning to groan under the strain of last-minute shopping sprees. It’s beginning to look a lot like Gadget Table time. To celebrate the season — and put one last ribbon on the year that was — we’re bringing back an old Engadget Show favorite. We’ve dusted off the table and filled it full of some of the best and most memorable gadgets of 2013. Tablets, smartphones, video game consoles, tablets, wearables and even the occasional dongle — all are fair game. Join Brian and Dana after the break, as they take you through the year in gadgets.
On The Gadget Table:
Google Chromecast: At $35, the Chromecast is the gadget deal of the year. This little dongle and its ever-growing arsenal of compatible streaming services can turn your old HDMI-enabled set into a smart TV you control with your mobile device.
Moto X: Motorola has a knack for focusing on elements other smartphone manufacturers largely ignore. Recent models have brought ruggedness and battery life to the forefront, as other companies have raced toward ever enlarging displays. The Moto X is all about customization, thanks to Moto Maker — and thanks to a new US factory, the Google-owned phone maker can proudly display the words “assembled in the USA.”
Google Glass: If the Gadget Table is any indication, 2013 was a banner year for hardware from a company largely known for its software offerings. Google Glass wasn’t the most popular or best-received product of 2013, but in a year that saw an explosion in the popularity of wearables, the headset seemingly gave us a small glimpse into the future. Google’s still got a ways to go as far as convincing the public, but Glass’ limited exposure has managed to capture the public’s imagination.
iPad Air: 2013 likely won’t go down as one of the more innovative years in Apple’s history, but the company did prove that it can still wow us with some super-sleek hardware. The latest iPad is as thin and light as its name implies, while still packing in great battery life and snappy performance, thanks to the A7 chip. The real star of the show, however, is iOS 7, a completely revamped version of Apple’s mobile OS.
PlayStation 4: It’s still far, far too early to crown a winner in the console wars, of course, but Sony’s certainly got a bit of a head start, thanks in no small part to its $400 price point (coming in at $100 cheaper than the new Xbox). That price tag will get you a fast, powerful machine with a lovingly revamped gamepad. As for games, however, well, we’ll have to wait for 2014…
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Home Entertainment, Tablets, Wearables, Sony
Latest Android update for the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition fixes major bugs
As Android updates go, version 4.4.2 shouldn’t get anyone hot under the collar — it’s mostly just bug fixes and software removals. But in the case of the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition, the requisite fixes are, in fact, quite substantial. As we noted in our hands-on with the massive 6.44-inch device, the Z Ultra shipped with a few unforgivable quirks, like the inability to uninstall apps (which is what you’d expect from a skinned device, not pure Android), or sideload apps via the Unknown Sources option in the security settings menu. With 4.4.2. rolling out today, all of that’s now been remedied, in addition the convenient deletion of Google’s not ready for primetime Apps Op feature which allowed users to manage privacy settings for individual apps. Again, it’s as humdrum as updates get, but at least now your très cher Z Ultra is actually worth the money.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Sony, Google
Source: Talk Android
Roku 3 finally snags an official YouTube app, support for additional models is on the way
The lack of a YouTube app has been a massive hole in the content lineup of Roku’s otherwise well-rounded media streamers, but no more. YouTube just announced that Roku 3 players in the US, Canada, UK and Republic of Ireland all have access to its video streams starting today. Unfortunately, that means it doesn’t apply to earlier players, but the Roku blog says additional models will get access next year — we’re checking to see if that applies only to the new 2013 lineup or older hardware also. Unofficial — and frequently blocked — channels to access YouTube and ways to pipe content through other apps like Plex have existed before, but the official app brings HD video, “Send to TV” pairing with your phone or tablet and the ability to sign in and access your subscribed channels directly. The app is in the channel store right now; add it to your player by clicking here.
.@RokuPlayer Awesome videos and #Roku3? Time for a dance party: http://t.co/sPHAzBqDKB Let’s break it down: http://t.co/hbS1vYq9ld
– YouTube (@YouTube) December 17, 2013
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Source: YouTube Blog, Roku Blog, Roku Channel Store
Now iOS users can control Google Glass remotely with MyGlass companion app
For a while there, Google’s Glass was only for the Android population since the eyewear required compatible devices running the MyGlass app for activation. Not so anymore as the company’s just released that companion app to Apple’s App Store, making it possible for iOS users to set up, manage contacts and Glassware apps, as well as remotely navigate (or screencast) Glass right from their smartphones. You’ll need to be running iOS 7 in order to run the app and take advantage of the screencasting possibilities. And before your itchy trigger finger hits hits download, heed Google’s oft-repeated advice: “If you don’t have Glass, then downloading this will be a waste of time.” That’s right from the mouth of Mountain View itself. Consider yourself warned.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Apple, Google
Via: 9to5 Mac
Source: iTunes App Store
Google and HP recall overheating Chromebook 11 chargers
Google and HP may have already put the brakes on Chromebook 11 sales due to overheating chargers, but there are many Americans who still own the risky equipment. Accordingly, the two companies have just issued an official recall for all 145,000 adapters in the US; owners now have to contact Google for a free replacement and stop using the flawed gear. There’s still no word on just when Chromebook 11 sales will resume, although the existence of a fixed charger suggests that the 11-inch system will return to shelves in the near future.
Filed under: Laptops, Google, HP
Source: CPSC
Google’s 2013 Zeitgeist includes Mandela, iPhones and a 3D trend map (video)
Google is back again with its annual list of the most popular searches of the year — only this time, with a 3D twist. In addition to old-fashioned 2D charts, the internet giant’s 2013 Zeitgeist includes a trend globe that lets you see what major cities were looking for on any given day. Google+ also plays a large role, as you can share and browse the social network’s most memorable public photos.
Like in years past, 2013′s top searches were a mixture of tech and tragedy. The deaths of Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker led the world’s queries, but many also spent a lot of time looking for the iPhone 5s, Galaxy S 4 and PlayStation 4. Other notable searches ranged from serious matters like the Boston Marathon bombing to the silliness of the Harlem Shake. Want to see more? Hop past the break, where we have both the full top 10 list as well as Google’s year-in-review video.
Top 10 Global Searches
- Nelson Mandela
- Paul Walker
- iPhone 5s
- Cory Monteith
- Harlem Shake
- Boston Marathon
- Royal Baby
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- PlayStation 4
- North Korea
Filed under: Internet, Apple, Samsung, Sony, Google
Via: Google Official Blog
Source: Google Zeitgeist
Google reportedly testing smart thermostats in ‘EnergySense’ program
Google called it quits on a smart thermostat two years ago, but it looks like the company couldn’t resist circling back to the idea. According to two of The Information’s sources and a document reviewed by the outlet, Mountain View has been conducting a trial of Internet-connected thermostats to help users keep tabs on their energy use and adjust accordingly. As part of a project reportedly dubbed EnergySense, the hardware itself seems to be created by a third party such as Ecobee. While Ecobee CEO Stuart Lombard says the firm isn’t working with Google, he adds the search giant could still be using its hardware.
Page and Co.’s effort isn’t intended to compete directly with Nest, according to one of the chatty people familiar with the matter. It’s said that Google’s goal is to toy with making the energy grid more efficient and build applications and services with the data it collects. Non-employees are apparently being enlisted as “Trusted Testers” to give the service a whirl in St. Louis, Missouri and potentially other areas. There’s no scuttlebutt regarding when the pilot might make it to primetime, so a Nest will just have to do for now.
[Original image credit: Stephanie Conrad, Flickr]
Filed under: Household, Google
Source: The Information
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