New App, New Look, and yes, New Software!

My excitement for upgrades continues! A new app for the device which accompanies Glass has been launched and with it one of my least favorite parts of Glass is fixed!

The MyGlass app is downloadable for free on what ever Store your device uses (depending on Android or Apple) and, until recently, it has been a bear to use. It was a single screen you needed to continuously scroll down to get to your apps, settings, contact list etc. At first the simplicity was nice, but now their are more apps and more settings, it was time for a change.

The new look, all aspects of the app are organized on the side menu.

Above you can see the new look of the MyGlass app. its tough to see, but in the background on the main page it shows the device's location and ID, then the user must simply navigate to the left side menu in order  to see the rest of the goods.

These buckets are nice and very user friendly, but the best part is how easy it makes the Glassware to use:

Each app gets one line and its settings can be expanded by simply clicking the app, so simple, right? Before each app had a banner which stretched from one side of the screen to the other with logos and names in different fonts, colors, etc. It was... .... a challenge to use. So much easier now!

I'm going to go use this new interface and report back, oh look, another Glass update is going in, I wonder what this one will bring.

XE16 is here! andddd its gone...

As you can probably guess, I've been ramping up my Glass usage since I got the my brand new Glass unit earlier this week. One of the best parts of receiving this new unit was the long awaited XE16 software which was pre-loaded on it.

Just to clue you in on what a Software update means, this is the platform itself be upgraded, similarly to changing from IOS6 to IOS7 or Windows 7 to Windows 8. It also means just about everything to the Explorers out there, if you don't believe me, check the blogs on software release day, its a little crazy.

So on to the Software update itself. On the Launch date for XE16 I watched all day awaiting  the software update (Glass updates are pushed to devices, there is no way to force an update). When the XE16 platform was downloaded onto my device initially my Glass got stuck in an infinite loop, as was experienced by many other Glass users. This resulted in constant rebooting once reaching the Glass opening screen while the device got warmer and warmer. I would have to wait to receive my new Glass for the XE16 update.

So fast forward to Monday when I received my new Glass. I checked it once it was al set up and what I saw was unexpected but not shocking. The screen displayed the software version XE16.2. I had not heard of this '.2' change, but I am guessing that this update was simply to stop the infinite loop problem. 

Software versions, at this point, were few and far between, so seeing this update was a tad surprising, but then I saw on Facebook that XE17 was set to launch. Already? Why? The short answer I got from the blogs was this update was intended to add new features and fix additional issues caused by XE16. 

Screenshot of the Glass app on Android in the Device Section. Notice XE17 is the software version.

At some point yesterday I got the XE17 update (likely when I was charging the device). I didn't see any groundbreaking changes from XE16.2; however, I hadn't had long to test XE16.2 and I will update you on the functions I see more in the future.

Screenshot of the Device Info section under Settings

Perhaps more updates will be seen as Google gets closer to making Glass commerically available. When XE16 was initially launched we were told it would enable more frequent udates, but 2.3 updates in a week or two is a bit much.

Who knows what the future holds, what I do know, is I'm still happy with the device and its getting easier to use and Google is definitely listening to feedback as I see issues I've had melt away with each update.

And who knows how many more devices I'll get as the explorer program rages on...

In Accessory News...

When Google sent me the email apologizing  for the inconvenience of breaking my Glass, they gave me a pretty great bonus to seal the deal. They offered to replace the Glass, send all new included supplies (a sun Sport lens, charger, bag, ear piece, nose pads, cleaning supplies, etc) and allowed me to pick one accessory from the Glass Store at no charge!

I immediately knew what I wanted, the frame that alluded me when I first ordered Glass, the Bold titanium. I wasn't sure if it would be included since it carried a $250.00 price tag, but it was worth a shot, and it paid off when I opened the box containing my new Glass and supplies!

Side-by-side Comparison

Bold frame right, Split frame left.

As you can see, these frames are some one similar with the main difference, being the thicker lower rim on the Bold. This gives it the classic thick, full frame I am used to. Other then that, the arms are very similar between the frames and no, neither of these frames fold (I admit, it's a tad tedious that they aren't more compact).

Four Faces of Glass

In addition to the side-by-side comparison, I had to include the picture of all of the looks I have tried thus far.

 

Bold w/ Glass far left, Sport Lens left, Split frame right, Classic Glass on Stock empty frame far right

 

As you can see, this device can indeed be personalized. These are the looks I have tried so far; however, its important to remember that their are two frames, three lenses, and a number of colors not represented here.

 

 

Be you, be transparent, be Glass



Seeing Double?

So your probably wondering why I haven't posted in a while, and I owe you an explanation. For one, life got in the way, work was crazy and life was crazier; however, my second reason is more interesting, especially for the audience of this Blog.

As with any early testing, their are screw ups. I expected something to go wrong in this awesome explorer test, and it did. You may have heard that recently Google released the new XE16 Glass interface (aka Kit Kat even though it's nothing like the Android device interface). When this interface was loaded onto some of the older Glass units they malfunctioned. I was one such victim, this caused a chain reaction of the 6 stages of Glass Grief.

1. Panic. Why is my Glass busted!? What do I do!? I paid for this?! I'm confused and alone!!
2. Despair. I don't know what to do. This is a lost cause. Woe is me. Sad face etc.
3. Surprise. Turns out the Glass Team is incredible and will simply ship me another one immediately!!
4. Yearning. When is it gonnnaaa beee hereeeeeeeeee. Let me check the tracking infor every three seconds.
5. Excitement. It's hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! How fast can I open this without destroying the pretty packaging?
6. Bonding. Finding all of the reasons why this is the new unit is better then the old one.

Here is the picture of both Glass units. Truly a beautiful site. A kind of old-meets-new piece really.

 

On to a new chapter in Glass. the XE16 interface and brand new accessories. I'll do better at posting now, promise.