Google Glass specifications revealed

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The launch of Google's augmented reality headset, dubbed Glass, may be getting closer. The company has revealed a bunch of things related to the headset, including the technical specifications of the device, as well as a companion app.

The company states that the display on Glass is comparable to watching a 25-inch HD screen from eight feet away. It sports a 5 megapixel camera that is capable of recording videos at 720p. On the connectivity front, it has WiFi and Bluetooth. Not much information on the battery is given, though Google has mentioned that the battery will last for a full day of typical usage. It is worth noting however that Hangouts and recording videos will drain the battery faster.

It will be compatible with any Bluetooth-capable smartphone, as well as with those running the MyGlass companion app which is available on Google Play.

The app itself needs a device to run on at least Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. The interface of the app is reminiscent of Google Now with its card-based interface. At the moment, the app can't be downloaded outside of the US, since Glass hasn't been officially launched yet.

The app's functionality can be seen through the screenshots. You can set up your Google+ account for Glass, as well as Gmail. You can even add contacts to the app for quick access.

Glass has an impressive screen, and its app uses the card UI



You can also set up Glass on a website by connecting it to your Google account. The website's interface is a lot like the app, since it uses the same card-based interface that Google loves.

Google has also released a developer preview for the Mirror API. You can get the API from here and start developing apps for the Glass ecosystem.

Last week, Google had revealed that the company will be shipping Glass to developers within the coming month, but the search giant hasn't given any concrete date for the device.

Somehow, the timeline fits well, considering May is also when Google will hold its annual developer conference, Google I/O, in Moscone Center, San Francisco.

Earlier this year, Google released a video of Glass that demonstrated the many ways in which users can make it a part of their daily lives. The demo showed scenes and sights through the eyes of the wearer. The video showed how you can instruct Glass to click a picture of the scene in front of you or record a video. The wearer has to say, “take a picture” to tell Glass to click one.

Google Glass can also provide route instructions to the wearer. You can even participate in a Google Hangout and let others see the sights and scenery you're enjoying.

There was also a more detailed video of Google developer advocate Timothy Jordan's presentation at last month's SXSW (South by Southwest Interactive conference). The roughly hour-long video shows Jordan taking the assembled crowd through a demo of Glass. "To experience Glass, you really need to put it on," he said.
 
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