geekosystem

Google's I/O developers conference goes live from San Francisco later this afternoon. If you want to know what the company has planned for the coming year -- and let's face it, you totally do, because whether you like it or hate it, it's going to have a lot of impact -- you're going to want to be tuned in, and we've got you covered with the live stream starting at noon ET/9am PT today. 

We've done a lot of stories on Google Glass, because we think it's interesting. For as much as we've written about it on the site, we've never actually had the opportunity to try it ourselves, so it leaves us wondering what using it is really like. This new introductory video demonstrates how to the use Glass's touch navigation, but also gives us a better idea of what using it is like.

Remember in elementary school when someone did something you didn't like, but you couldn't really stop them so you just pretended like it's what you really wanted them to do all along? That's pretty much how Google responded to the news that hackers are already rooting Google Glass. Google's Dan Morrill fired off a post on Google+ saying that rooting was the plan all along.

Like any recent gadget on the market, the race to jailbreak Google Glass was on as soon as the device was announced. Now that the Explorer Edition, which is just another way to say that they're still kind of testing things, is out, folks are fast at working trying to bend and not break it. For anyone that thought it might take any real length of time: Surprise! Google Glass has already been jailbroken.

Proles like you and I won't be have the chance to lay our hands on Google Glass until next year, but it's never too early to start worrying about the etiquette complications that go along with a piece of wearable technology that can take a picture of whatever you're looking at at send it directly to the Internet. For example, what do you do with the thing when you go to the bathroom? According to tech evangelist and professional nerd Robert Scoble, keep calm and keep your Google Glass on.

Wearable technology has been around for a while, but it's been given a particular kick in the pants recently thanks to things like the Pebble smartwatch or Google Glass. These aren't the only such projects, but they're representative of the whole. The latest video from PBS Off Book takes a look at the future of wearable technology, but it's becoming increasingly apparent that we've already put one foot in the pool as a society. Now all we need to do is jump in.

Though earlier reports said that Google Glass would be commercially available by the end of this year, it seems like we're going to have to wait longer before we can walk around looking like super cool cyborgs. Eric Schmidt said in an interview that Glass would not be available to the public until some time next year. The bright side is now you have more time to save up $1,500 to buy a pair.

Whenever a new thing comes into existence, it seems like the Internet starts tripping over itself to churn out neologisms about it. Such is the case with the forthcoming release of Google Glass later this year. We couldn't leave well enough and accept that someone who is being a jerk while wearing Google Glass is just being a jerk. The world did not need a separate word to describe the inevitable deluge of jerks with Glass, but sure enough, someone made one. Here's the story of how and why "Glasshole" is a thing now.

I hate how frequently I have to type passwords into things, and I would like passwords to go away and die. The problem is that there are not a lot of great alternatives. Biometrics are promising, but they're prohibitively expensive, or easily fooled as in the case of face-recognition that can be unlocked with a photo. There's a new study that's looking at using brain waves to replace passwords, and I'm excited about it because I want to feel like Professor Xavier every time I check my email.

We haven't been shy about the fact that we're really excited for Google Glass, but it turns out not everyone shares our enthusiasm. Lawmakers in West Virginia are looking to pass a preemptive ban on drivers using the device while operating a vehicle. They say it is an extension of existing no-texting-while-driving policies, but wouldn't Google Glass actually help solve that problem?

Google Glass is going to do a lot of interesting things. Wearers will be able to get turn-by-turn directions, instantly share videos and pictures with the world, carry on video calls, and get information about the world while still looking at the world... as long as you have your cell phone or there's a Wi-Fi connection. It would be great if Glass was a completely standalone device, but it would need its own cellular connection for that. There is not, and won't be a cellular connection in Google Glass, but there's good reasons for that -- like FCC regulations, and people's irrational fear of cancer.

Rumors have been floating around that Google was planning on launching its own chain of brick and mortar stores. You know, to showcase their latest gadgetry in the real world. Even Geekosystem's own Glen Tickle seemed stoked at the idea. Sorry, Glen! Now Andy Rubin, the Senior Vice President of Mobile and Digital Content at Google, is thumbing the idea down.

Heads up, gadget geeks -- Google is opening the floodgates on Google Glass. Well, kind of, anyway. As of today, you can appeal directly to Google to tell them what cool things you would get up to with Google Glass wrapped around your head. Tell them on Twitter or Google+ why you'd be a great Google Glass guinea pig and just $1500 later, you could be the envy of all your friends while also never being more than a sideways glance away from checking your email.

A few months ago, I was in the market for a new laptop. The Google Chromebook line was appealing for its price, but I was unable to find a store that physically had them for me to try. I type for a living, so I'm particular about my keyboard. As nice as the Chromebook is, since I couldn't get my hands on it, I opted for the Asus machine I use now. To try to prevent this kind of thing in the future, Google is reportedly opening physical retail locations that would let customers get their hands on the latest Google products, and they'll be coming just in time for Google Glass.

Listening to traditional headphones is so completely 2012. That's why Google Glass wants to rattle your brain cage directly by sending vibrations straight through your skull instead of using normal speakers. The technology is called "bone conduction" and we saw a few examples of it at CES this year. It's not exactly new, but it hasn't caught on in the mainstream just yet. Looks like Google is going to cram as much technology people aren't used to using into Glass as they can.