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Watch the Google I/O 2014 Keynote here, live! [Video]

Google I/O 2014 kicks off today, with the big keynote starting at 9:00 AM PDT / 12:00 PM EDT, and you can join in and watch the presentation in the player above. What are we expecting to hear about during the Google I/O 2014 keynote? Well, the biggest piece of news will likely be the reveal of the next version of Android, likely Android 5.0. We'll get a look at the future of Android smartphones and tablets, in addition to set-top boxes. Google will be showing off a new Android TV set-top box, which is interesting since Google TV hardware failed so miserably over the last few years. Wearables should also be big today, with Google Glass and Android Wear devices getting some stage time. Google also typically releases Google+ updates during the I/O keynote as well.

What are you hoping to hear about from Google this morning?


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Google Glass XE5 update brings Google+ integration, refinements

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Google, Software,

Google Glass XE5

Google has pushed out a new update for Google Glass Explorers, the early testers and purchasers of the ambitious wearable tech. Most notable in the XE5 update is the addition of Google+ functionality in Glass, specifically allowing you to comment on, and +1 entries on Google's social network. You can also receive incoming Google Hangout invitations. Here's a full rundown of the changes:

  • Change to sync policy: require power + WiFi for background uploads
  • Crash reporting
  • Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
  • Incoming Hangout notifications
  • Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
  • Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
  • International number dialing + SMS
  • Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
  • New On-Head Detection calibration flow
  • Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
  • More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
  • New recipient-list mosaic

As you can see, Google is steadily improving the Glass experience, even as it's just in the beta Explorer stage. With a year-or-so before it hits mass market, the company has a lot of time to refine the technology to get it ready for the meanstream. They'll need to, in order to quiet the jokes.


First day with Google Glass review

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Wearables, Google, Product Reviews,

Google Glass review first day

Google is giving out a few dozen Google Glass Explorer Edition units each day, rolling them out to developers as they are being made, rather than waiting until all are done to get them out at the same time. The result? A bunch of excited devs getting their hands on Glass, and giving their opinions on the future tech. We're already seen images of the Google Glass box contents, and now Brandon Allgood gives a great first impression on his Google+ account. Here's a snippet:

I wore Glass all day today.  It was light and didn't bother me to do so.  The battery truly lasted all day.  I didn't however take long videos or hangout for very long.  I am also not very popular on G+ and most of my email goes to my business account so I didn't mind the "ding" when I got an email or G+ comment.  Most of my co-workers were excited about seeing Glass.  Some were a little uncomfortable about it.  Overall the reaction has been positive and people aren't bothered by me wearing it in meetings and such.  I do live in Silicon Valley, so your experience may differ.  I found that my habits will nee to be modified.  For example I just need to tint my head back (which turns on the display) and I can see the time.  No more looking for a clock or pulling out my phone.  I also don't need to check my email on my phone or computer.  I found myself from time to time hearing the chime and then pulling my email up on my computer and not Glass.  I am over that now.

Hit the link below to head on over to Brandon's Google+ post for the rest. It's a good read on what it's like when you first get Glass, and the process of getting used to using it, the expected, and the unexpected.

Read More | Brandon Allgood Google+

Subscribe to the Gear Live newsletter for our top stories, early access to gadget giveaways!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Internet,

Gear Live newsletter

We post a lot of great stories every day here at Gear Live, and we realize that it's hard to catch them all, every day. That's why we offer our Gear Live newsletter, bringing you the best of Gear Live directly in your inbox each evening, and you can subscribe here. Oh, and we also announce all of our giveaways in the newsletter before we do here on the site, allowing our subscribers a head start.

Each day, we collect the best Gear Live stories and send them to you so you can take a peek when your day is done and you finally have a little breathing room, with links to our other recent stories so you can read more, if you choose.

If you're the social type and prefer to keep up with our stories as they happen, we're also available on your social network of choice. Here's how to find us:

Click to continue reading Subscribe to the Gear Live newsletter for our top stories, early access to gadget giveaways!


Subscribe to the Gear Live newsletter for our top stories, early access to gadget giveaways!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Internet,

Gear Live newsletter

We post a lot of great stories every day here at Gear Live, and we realize that it's hard to catch them all, every day. That's why we offer our Gear Live newsletter, bringing you the best of Gear Live directly in your inbox each evening, and you can subscribe here. Oh, and we also announce all of our giveaways in the newsletter before we do here on the site, allowing our subscribers a head start.

Each day, we collect the best Gear Live stories and send them to you so you can take a peek when your day is done and you finally have a little breathing room, with links to our other recent stories so you can read more, if you choose.

If you're the social type and prefer to keep up with our stories as they happen, we're also available on your social network of choice. Here's how to find us:

Click to continue reading Subscribe to the Gear Live newsletter for our top stories, early access to gadget giveaways!


Google holds Glass Explorer Edition competition, offers early access

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Wearables, Google, Internet,

Google Glass explorer edition ifihadglass

Google wants early adopters to usher in the future of Google Glass. You know, those high tech Internet-connected glasses? The company is offering the opportunity for anyone to join in. A new competition outlined today by Google will give a lucky few the opportunity to have Google's Project Glass Explorer Edition before everyone else. That's a "neener neener" you can't pay for. Er, actually, you still have to pay for it. It'll cost $1500 if you win the priviledge of early access.

Google posted on its Glass site that it is looking for "bold, creative individuals who want to join us and be a part of shaping the future of Glass." In order to apply you need to use Google+ or Twitter to tell Google what you would do if you had glass, using the hashtag #ifihadglass.

Here are the details straight from Google:

Click to continue reading Google holds Glass Explorer Edition competition, offers early access

Read More | Google

Here’s how to stay on top of all the Gear Live news!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features,

Gear Live

We know we push out a lot of content here on Gear Live, but it's actually prtty easy to stay on top of everything, even if you don't have the chance to visit the site every day. How? Like this:

  • Gear Live newsletter: Our free daily newsletter that brings you a wrap-up of all the tops news of the day. We also launch exclusive contests in the newsletter that you might not find on the site itself!
  • YouTube: We have a pretty active YouTube channel with almost 500 pieces of content for your viewing pleasure. You can even subscribe and get notified of new videos.
  • Kindle: You can get all of Gear Live's news delivered directly to your Kindle!
  • Twitter: Gear Live in 140 characters or less.
  • FaceBook: We know a lot of you spend hours here, and we've got our Facebook page set up to deliver tech news right into your feed.
  • Google+: Yep, some of you hand out here, and we're there too.
  • RSS: Old-fashioned RSS is still available for all you grizzled tech veterans out there.

See? Told you it was easy!


Here’s how to stay on top of all the Gear Live news!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Announcements, Features,

Gear Live

We know we push out a lot of content here on Gear Live, but it's actually prtty easy to stay on top of everything, even if you don't have the chance to visit the site every day. How? Like this:

  • Gear Live newsletter: Our free daily newsletter that brings you a wrap-up of all the tops news of the day. We also launch exclusive contests in the newsletter that you might not find on the site itself!
  • YouTube: We have a pretty active YouTube channel with almost 500 pieces of content for your viewing pleasure. You can even subscribe and get notified of new videos.
  • Twitter: Gear Live in 140 characters or less.
  • FaceBook: We know a lot of you spend hours here, and we've got our Facebook page set up to deliver tech news right into your feed.
  • Google+: Yep, some of you hand out here, and we're there too.
  • RSS: Old-fashioned RSS is still available for all you grizzled tech veterans out there.

See? Told you it was easy!


Google+ Events aims to make parties more collaborative and fun

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Internet,

Google+ Events

The newest Google+ feature announced at Google I/O is Google+ Events. The social network is aiming to become your one-stop shop for inviting your friends to a get-together, bringing in photos from your attendees into one place, and having a spot to go after the event is over to check out how everything went down. We've gotta dmit that it looks great in theory, the only problem is that we still don't see that much activity in Google+, while our Facebook news feed is flooded constantly with updates. Still, it's worth checking out the intro video that shows how it all works. Maybe if enough people get excited about it, we'll see a bit more traction on the Google+ side of things, right guys? Guys...? Hello?

Click to continue reading Google+ Events aims to make parties more collaborative and fun


Flipboard for Android is now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,

Flipboard Android

Sure, it Flipboard for Android leaked weeks ago during its period of exclusivity to the Samsung Galaxy S III, but for those less adventurous, you can now grab the unique newsreader the old-fashioned way. Just head on over to Google Play to download Flipboard for your Android device.

Read More | Google Play

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