Google has just pushed out a new update to Google Glass, version XE12. With it comes official support for a new gesture called “wink”. Simply wink at Google Glass and it’ll take a photograph of whatever it is you’re looking at. Useful if you want to take a candid picture without having to belch out “OK Glass, take a photo”. There’s also a new app that’ll allow you to upload videos straight to YouTube. But the best new feature, by far, is that Glass won’t append “Sent through Glass” to your emails and texts.
Now for the question that you’ve probably been asking at least once a month since Google unveiled Glass over three centuries ago: When will I be able to buy one? The answer, assuming the rumors are true, is the second half of 2014. It’s not going to be cheap, and the battery life will probably be dismal, but hey, if you want to make yourself look like a cyborg, then Glass is your best bet. Will I personally ever buy Glass? Not in a million years. I actively find things to do that keep me away from my digital life, not closer to it. But I will say this, I think smart watches are going to be a big deal. Getting a notification on your wrist is powerful. While it sounds simple, once you’ve worn something like a Pebble or Galaxy Gear for a day or two, going back to pulling your phone out of your pocket just seems antiquated. Update: Regarding the wink feature, you’ll have to have the “new” Glass headset that Google is sending out. If you have the “old” Glass, Google will replace it for free.
