When Google Glass first hit the scene, we knew that Google would be rolling out additional features as often as possible. With technology as new as this, the entirety of the project is a learning process both for consumers and Google.
On Tuesday night, Google released the first software update for the lucky individuals chosen for the Explorer program, able to try out Google’s wearable headset before the rest of the world. Even if they had to pay handsomely for it.
The update adds several new features and optimizes a few others. The most notable update is deeper Google+ integration, specifically the delivery of incoming notifications about comments, mention, and Hangout requests. You will also be able to comment and +1 posts from Glass. It makes sense that Google+ would be the first social network focused on with Glass, but hopefully Facebook and Twitter get a similar treatment soon.
Other notable updates are an improved battery life estimation, quicker transcription, and crash reporting. An odd inclusion is a new charge to sync policy that requires the device be connected to a charger with an active Wi-Fi connection before it will allow background downloads, probably implemented to address criticisms of Glass’ short battery life.
The complete list of tweaks and additions are below, courtesy of the changelog:
- Change to sync policy: require power + Wi-Fi for background uploads
- Crash reporting
- Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
- Incoming Hangout notifications
- Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
- Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
- International number dialing + SMS
- Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
- New On-Head Detection calibration flow
- Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
- More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
- New recipient-list mosaic
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