Google Glass Is Available to Everyone Today: How to Buy It
Image: Mashable
By Stan Schroeder 2014-04-15 09:43:07 UTC
UPDATE, April 15, 4 p.m. ET: Google says there is a chance this sale may be extended. In an email to Mashable, a Google spokesperson wrote: "The sale may go longer than a day; we just have to see how well everything works and how well we handle the demand." As of 3:36 p.m. ET, the "Cotton" color of Glass was sold out.
Today at 9 a.m. ET, everyone in the U.S. will be able to buy Google Glass.
Google announced the plan last week. "Every day, we get requests from those of you who haven't found a way into the program yet, and we want your feedback too," the company wrote in a blog post.
See also: How Google Fumbled Glass — and How to Save It
Google Glass is not commercially available yet; it's been available only to Google Glass Explorers — in other words, only through a very limited beta-testing program.
Now, Google is opening up the program and folks in the U.S. will be able to get the Glass for $1500 + tax. Google has apologized to everyone else, saying it's "just not ready yet to bring Glass to other countries."
The price is steep, but at least Google will throw in frames or a shade of your choice.
To get the Glass, you need to be 18 years old, and you need to be a U.S. resident with a U.S. shipping address. Then, click here starting at 9 a.m. ET. Act quickly, as the number of spots available is limited. You can also sign up for a reminder at the same address.
And, if you're wondering what Glass is good for, well, you can browse the web with it, you can create stop motion videos with it, take sneaky photos — hell, you can even have sex with it. Just don't be a Glasshole.
BONUS: This Is What the World Looks Like Through Google Glass
The World Through Google Glass
Google Glass POV
The virtual screen that Google Glass shows you through the prism appears to be a display floating a few feet in front of you. Although it's obviously very tiny, Google says it's the equivalent of a 25-inch screen seen from 8 feet away.
The message screen "ok glass" is the most common one you see, since it activates whenever you tap the side or tilt your head up. The screen lets you know Glass is on and actively listening to your voice.
The most recent sports scores are just a single swipe away.
The screen is big enough to display a single sentence or simple text feedback extremely well. The font gets smaller for longer results, although it maxes out at about two sentences.
Although photos don't look great on Glass, you can easily discern the content, and they look much better when exported to other displays.
Reddit Notification
Most notifications involve both a headline and a photo, as with this one from Reddit.
The multicolor "spectrum" effect isn't visible to the eye -- it appears in this photo because it was taken outside and some sunlight was refracted.
New York Times Notification
The New York Times' notifications tell you how many articles are waiting. You can see them in a manner similar to the Reddit headlines by tapping the touchpad on the temple.
Here's what you see when you want to share something via Twitter. GlassTweet is a third-party app.
When you ask for directions, Glass first confirms the address.
Active Navigation
Here's the UI for navigating with maps. The arrow moves as you turn your head.
2D Navigation
Navigation in 2D gives you a bird's-eye view of the map.
Speech Error
Error messages are very clear.
Settings Screen
The main settings screen lets you know if you're connected to Wi-Fi and how much battery power is left.
Settings, Alternate View
Topics: Gadgets, Google, Google Glass, Tech