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16 Cool Things You Can Do With Google Glass

Here are some of the face-tech's coolest features.

April 15, 2014
Google Glass

Today, Google Glass—the most sought-after toy in all of geekdom—will finally be available to all. Or at least to all who have a spare $1,500 lying around. And for one day only.

Since its introduction at Google I/O in 2012, Glass has been a gleaming example of the promised future actually coming to pass. Unfortunately for most of us, the device was only available to a select few "Explorers" to begin with (a policy that only managed to hike Glass's WANT factor).

But now the device will be available to anyone willing to shell out the clams. And what does one get for all that money? Well, as it turns out, quite a bit.

Glass is a platform. And like all platforms, there is an army of developers constantly attempting to create the new it app. But unlike any of the "smart" form factors that came before it, Glass has a revolutionary new interface that exists directly on your face. There is no more screen, per se. There is no more mouse or keyboard. This is uncharted territory, which will bring magic new superpowers to the wearer of the device.

Glass has the ability to fulfill the promise of "augmented reality" that has not yet come to pass. The public never truly took a shine to AR on phones and tablets because it's uncomfortable to hold up a device to view the overlay, and as soon as you do, you reveal your digital world to any lookie-loos who happen to be nearby. This isn't the case with Glass.

So what exactly can you get from your high-tech specs? Check out the slideshow for more. And be sure to read PCMag's full review of Google Glass Explorer Edition Version 2.0.

Editor's Note: This story was first published on Feb. 28, 2013.

2. Reminders

Reminders
Glass can pop up a reminder on your screen to, well, remind you of an upcoming appointment or other meeting that you have planned.

3. Weather

Weather
Like one of the cards that pops up in Android, Google Glass hopes to be able to deliver to you the current weather.

4. Dictate Texts

Dictate Texts
There's no reason why Glass can't be used to dictate texts or short messages to others, using the built-in microphone, Google's cloud-based speech recognition, and a wireless connection.

5. Travel Alerts

Travel Alerts
I've never seen an alert when a public transportation link has been severed or is inoperable, but I assume Google has the capability to do so. This would be a handy feature.

6. Maps

Maps
I'm not sure a "full-screen" overlay would be the most ideal rendering of map data, but this would certainly be a handy feature to have in most cases.

7. Turn-by-Turn Directions

Turn-by-Turn Directions
One of the handiest features of Google Navigation is turn-by-turn directions. In this case, a visual direction mixed with a street name is a helpful feature.

8. Reminders

Reminders
This is actually a capability that's in Android today, although I daresay that not many people use it. "Remind me" tells Android or Glass to set a meeting at a given time. This uses a bit of magic, linking a reminder with a live event that Glass knows about.

9. Interior Maps

Interior Maps
Another capability that Google has added to its mapping capabilities, although it depends on the merchant - Strand Books, in this case. But yes, Google users can navigate indoors, as long as the augmented GPS (GPS+Wi-Fi, to determine location) knows where you are.

10. Check In

Check In
Google users can check in at locations. No sign of Google Wallet or any benefit from doing so, though - does this mean that Google has abandoned the idea of discounts or benefits from repeatedly checking in?

11. Photos

Photos
Naturally, Google Glass users can take photos. This is in Glass today, although the photos (unsurprisingly) seem to have rather poor quality compared to even a mobile phone camera.

12. Hangout (With Screen Sharing)

Hangout (With Screen Sharing)
A nice touch. With Glass, there's every reason to believe that not only could you join a Google Hangout, you could share what you're seeing. In fact, with no self-facing camera, that might be the only way to communicate.

13. Take a Photo With a Wink

Take a Photo With a Wink
A face-based form factor demands a face-based UI. That's why it made sense when Google unveiled a "wink" functionality for Glass back in December. Now users can control their device with little more than a facial tic. (Image)

14. Play Games

Play games
A number of "mini games" have been developed to showcase how the specs are a future gaming platform with unique properties all their own.

15. Google Compass

Google Compass
Have access to a basic compass at all times.

16. Livestream From Your Face

Livestream From Your Face
With that fancy camera connected to Glass, it wasn't long until you were able to broadcast your POV using the Livestream app.

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About Mark Hachman

About Evan Dashevsky

Features Editor

Evan Dashevsky

Evan Dashevsky served as a features editor with PCMag and host of live interview series The Convo. He could usually be found listening to blisteringly loud noises on his headphones while exploring the nexus between tech, culture, and politics. Follow his thought sneezes over on the Twitter (@haldash) and slightly more in-depth diatribin' over on the Facebook.

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