Thursday, March 12, 2015

Google Glass Adds Its First Website Browser

Google-glass

Google finally added a website browser to Google Glass. The company announced a few new updates to its high-tech specs on Monday, making it easier to find new content and communicate hands-free.

“We’ve been exploring ways to let you quickly dive deeper and get exactly the information you need, right when you need it,” the company wrote in a Google+ post. “To test it out, search for something and then tap on the ‘View website’ screen to bring up the web page.”

When a user is on a webpage, different commands on Google Glass’ touchpad will mimic a mouse’s movements on a laptop or a finger’s movements on a touchscreen. For example, to scroll down a webpage, a user must slide his finger forward on the touchpad.

To zoom, slide two fingers forward or backward. Hold two fingers down on the touchpad and move your head around to pan; as you look around, tap to select the center of the screen.

The company wrote that it is also ramping up efforts to help users better communicate hands-free with others. Now, you can ask Glass to read text messages aloud or use voice commands to write and send responses.

Google added that the updates will automatically be pushed to Glass in the upcoming days.

BONUS: What It’s Like to Browse the Web on Google Glass

Google Glass Web Browser

The Web, Through Glass

With the XE7 software update, Google Glass gets its own web browser. It’s surprisingly functional, giving you the option to view the website of any search result you get through Google.

Mashable Site

Mashable uses responsive design to adapt to a user’s browser and device. It looks and works fine in Glass, although the gestures to navigate between columns (Hot, Rising and New) won’t work. There’s workaround, though.

Navigation

You can scroll through a site by swiping the touchpad on Glass. You can also navigate by tapping with two fingers and holding, then moving your head. It’s actually very natural.

Zoom

You can zoom by swiping with two fingers — useful for sites that aren’t optimized for mobile.

Links

When content is clickable, the browser asks if you want to select the link.

YouTube Video

Videos on YouTube play just fine in the Glass browser. Some other sites (Vimeo and DailyMotion) do not.

Loading Screen

When you load a site, you can see the URL onscreen.

DailyMotion

Videos on some sites won’t play on Glass.

No Input

You can click on form fields, but there’s no way to fill them out (not even with voice).

Easy Access to Google

When you tap, the menu of options is split into individual commands. Google is first, providing easy access to the web browser.