Guest post by student author

From the EDGe blog at: http://edgepub.blogspot.com

By Sarah Ethington, September 2014

Video from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1uyQZNg2vE

Our world is constantly changing, and updating technology. Everyone has ideas, and everyone is waiting for the next big thing. Right now, there is a new trend that is rising. After many years of development, Google glass was released in February, 2013. 

Google glass resembles regular eyewear, but don’t let looks deceive you. In the upper right hand corner, there is an LED illuminated display. The screen projects images directly into the retina,or the part of the eye where images are formed. The device is very complex, and priced at $1,500. It can be used for fun, such as games and picture taking. It can also be used for practical things, such as research and calls.

In order to control the glass, and the things you see, you can use touchpad located on the side. You can slide you finger and view things from the past such as phone calls and photos. Sliding backwards allows you to see things like weather, and current events. In order to charge the glasses you simply plug the lithium powered battery into an outlet.

A camera hasn’t been forgotten. The glasses have the ability to not only take pictures, but to record seven hundred and twenty pixel high definition videos. Holding cameras up to eye level is now a thing of the past. With a simple tap, pictures can be quickly taken and saved.

There’s a beloved new feature occurring more in recent technology. That is voice recognition. You can speak to Google Glass. For example: saying “O.K glass.” activates the device. Once activated you can speak commands such as “Play a game,”“Take a picture,” and “Text Sue.”

Instead of using voice recognition to activate the device, users can also tilt their head thirty degrees upward.

Despite all the fantastic features, there are safety considerations. The same driving hazards caused by cell phones apply to the glass. West Virginia already has a law stating that not only texting while driving is illegal, but using a wearable computer with a head mounted display is as well.

Overall, the new device is rising up in the world of trending technology. There’s a lot packed into Google’s new device that only weighs fifty grams. It truly is wearable technology.

It’s just as handy as it is unique. With voice control, a touchpad, a camera, an LED display, and much more, could this be the next big thing?

Note: all above photos are of O'Neill patrons using Google Glass purchased by Dr. Scott Gutshall of Gutshall Eyecare in O'Neill, Nebraska. You can read more about this project at: http://viewthrutheglass.blogspot.com

Nebraska outdoors through Glass

A beautiful Saturday afternoon.  A perfect opportunity for a nature walk.  An experience enhanced by Google Glass. 

My family and I headed out to our ranch in Northeast Nebraska to spend a gorgeous Saturday afternoon.  Armed with my iPhone and Google Glass, I decided to talk a walk around our farm pond. The shades that came with Glass were definitely needed in the mid day sun, and they did the job well.  I can definitely feel the learning curve beginning to diminish with my Glass and I thoroughly enjoyed the hour or so of exploring both nature and technology simultaneously. 

Our farm has zero wifi connectivity (and very little cell coverage) and so Glass was basically limited to capturing photos and video.  Again, it was nice that when I got back to town and connected Glass to wifi and power, that the images automatically synced via AutoBackup in my Google+ account. 

I did feel the desire to want to zoom from time to time, but the photos that I captured from Glass were definitely comparable to any images I captured with my iPhone.  Here are a few to see what you think: 

And check out a video clip of our farm pond here:

https://plus.google.com/108344371167418891002/posts/SEspKo7661Y

Interview with Holt County Independent

I had a blast talking with the Holt County Independent today about Google Glass.  We "geeked out," swapped stories, and envisioned the future with wearable technology such as Glass.  I'm looking forward to reading Amanda Greger's write up and sharing more with the residents of Holt County about the potential of Google Glass.

Summer ballgames

June is a month of ball games: baseball and softball games for my family.  O'Neill's two ball parks are on opposite ends of town.  This was last night in between my daughters' game enroute to my son's.  Somehow I used Glass to add a vignette effect to my original image and I was surprised with the ease of this effect.  

Original image #throughglass

The town of O'Neill #throughglass with added vignette.  

Once at the ball games, I found it easy to capture images and video once again with Google Glass.  I didn't even need to use the provided shades to filter the sun as the Glass image was still clear enough on a sunny June night.

Gutshall & Blumenstock Eyecare Through Glass

It was time for my annual eye exam and I couldn't wait to share what I have learned thus far with the benefactors of my Google Glass- Gutshall Blumenstock Eyecare.  Dr. Gutshall tried on the Glass and reiterated his excitement to keep on the cutting edge of anything dealing with optometry.  He spoke of  recent examples of Glass in other industries and believes it is part of their mission to support patrons with knowledge and expertise in this field of wearable technology. 

Dr. Gutshall tried on Glass and anticipates spending a more extended time trying it out in the near future.  But for now, he motivated me to Explore On.. and continue to share all the exciting discoveries and potential of Glass with all who are interested!

Learning with others through Google+ Communities

Exploring a new technology is never best taken on alone.  Rather, the field of technology innovation thrives on professional learning networks and human support systems to enhance each and every new discovery.  Google has an answer for these human learning networks as well-- Google+ Communities.

I have discovered and joined two Google+ Communities that I know will be extremely beneficial to me on this Google Glass learning journey.

The first is Glass Explorers

and the second is Google Glass in Education

There are many more to spend time exploring. There is even a community specifically for Glass Journalism Educators!

So pardon me as I can't wait to dig in to the resources and posts shared by these amazing communities of like-minded explorers of Glass.  I have a lot of learning to look forward to!

Magic Kingdom Through Glass

My family and I recently returned from our first family trip to Disney World in Florida.  While I wasn't brave enough (yet) to wear Glass on Splash Mountain or Space Mountain, I did venture to experience the final evening's festivities at Magic Kingdom with Glass on my head.

First off, it was somewhat surreal to hear many passersby point, stare, or comment when Glass caught their eye.  Many people have heard of it-- many more than in my small hometown community, at least! Even a Disney vendor, manning the cart that sold light up Mickey ears and glow in the dark Mickey sticks, inquired as to how I liked Glass.  Although he wasn't in costume, it still was odd for me to view any Disney employee not acting "in character," and actually acting as a normal, inquisitive human being.

Although the photos and video clips that I recorded that night in Florida are not first-rate (blame for that rests on the photographer!), they did allow for a sense of freedom to not have to pull out my phone or dSLR camera in order to capture something quickly.  It was very easy to command Glass to take a picture or video, and I got more adept at extending the video clips beyond the typical 10 second limit by pressing the camera button.

I was delighted beyond belief to find my Glass-captured media waiting for me in my Google+ Photos account, organized as one event.  What was even more exciting was the option that Google provided of automatically turning it into a "story" for me.

This is my first Google+ Story, created all with Glass:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/108344371167418891002/posts/bdGQ3ArtW15

Read more about Google+ Stories here:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2014/05/google-stories-and-movies-memories-made.html

Disneyworld with my family was a memory-filled event.  Thanks to Google Glass,  I have even richer memories to add to our collection!