smart glasses

BetaBeacon
May 30, 2025
Niantic Spatial, a company founded by the creators of Pokémon GO, is shifting its focus towards artificial intelligence. They are working on creating a large geospatial model to merge the digital and physical worlds, with the goal of improving the way AI machines perceive and understand our world.
Winsage
May 23, 2025
OpenAI has acquired the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, investing [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: This week has seen a fascinating interplay between two titans of artificial intelligence, OpenAI and Google, as they both made significant announcements that reveal much about their competitive dynamics. The backdrop of this rivalry is the remarkable rise of ChatGPT, which has kept Google’s leadership on high alert. As the tech community anticipated Google’s I/O event, there was palpable tension regarding whether Sam Altman of OpenAI would attempt to overshadow Google’s showcase, reminiscent of last year’s pre-I/O event where OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT’s advanced voice capabilities. This year, however, OpenAI chose to make its splash a day later, with news that has quickly shifted the narrative. OpenAI's acquisition of the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, is a strategic move that some might view as a clever act of SEO sabotage. While the name “io” is said to stand for “input output” and was chosen well in advance, the timing of the announcement has undeniably redirected attention from Google’s strong presentation at I/O. The contrasting announcements highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both companies: while Google boasts technically superior models that are more widely utilized, OpenAI excels in capturing public interest and generating buzz. OpenAI's Strategic Moves Delving deeper into OpenAI’s recent announcement reveals a commitment to innovation and talent acquisition. The company is investing .5 billion in equity to onboard approximately 55 individuals from LoveFrom, including notable ex-Apple design leaders such as Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon. These new recruits will work under the guidance of Peter Welinder, a seasoned product leader at OpenAI. Meanwhile, the remaining LoveFrom designers, including renowned figures like Mike Matas, will continue their work with Ive, who is currently engaged in designing the first electric Ferrari and collaborating with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. According to OpenAI’s press release, Ive and his team will take on significant design and creative responsibilities within the organization. Once their existing client commitments are fulfilled, they will focus exclusively on OpenAI while maintaining their independence. OpenAI is also actively seeking new talent for its “future of computing” initiatives, with roles that promise competitive compensation, including a senior research engineer position offering between 0K to 5K plus equity. The timeline leading to this collaboration is noteworthy. Altman and Ive first met two years ago, and discussions about hardware collaboration began last year. The io division was established at LoveFrom to work closely with a select group of OpenAI employees, and investments from OpenAI and Laurene Powell Jobs were made towards the end of 2024. This partnership is poised to yield a voice-first AI device, with prototypes already in existence, suggesting a product that could be as compact as an iPod Shuffle and potentially wearable as a necklace. Additionally, there are plans for AI earbuds, with Altman envisioning a suite of AI-first products designed to reduce reliance on Apple and Google for distribution. Google's Resilience On the other side, Google demonstrated its own resilience during I/O, with the rollout of AI Mode in Google Search. While its product strategy may appear fragmented compared to OpenAI’s cohesive approach, Google is leveraging its vast troves of personal data to enhance the capabilities of its Gemini model. If Gemini can effectively integrate with services like Gmail, Workspace, and YouTube, it could create a compelling reason for users to remain within the Google ecosystem, much like how Meta successfully integrated Stories into Instagram, curtailing Snapchat's growth. Conversations with Google employees revealed a sense of confidence within the organization. While there is an acknowledgment of the challenges posed by OpenAI’s growth, Google’s Gemini is nearing 500 million monthly users. The company appears to be modernizing its search capabilities more swiftly than anticipated, positioning itself for continued leadership in model development. The latest Gemini models are impressive, and Google is preparing for a future that extends beyond traditional smartphones with initiatives like Project Astra. Industry Developments Anthropic also made headlines this week by unveiling its Claude 4 models, which it claims are the best for coding. In a competitive landscape where major players like OpenAI, Google, and Meta vie for dominance, Anthropic is positioning itself as a key provider of AI models. Microsoft Build faced disruptions during its event due to protests against its business dealings with Israel, overshadowing several noteworthy announcements, including the introduction of Elon Musk’s Grok model on Azure. Google’s smart glasses prototype was also showcased, featuring basic voice interactions and navigation capabilities. While still in early development, Google’s partnerships with eyewear brands signal its commitment to advancing augmented reality technology. Personnel Changes YouTube has appointed Justin Connolly from Disney as its head of media and sports, a move that has sparked legal action from Disney. Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, with her responsibilities being assumed by Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff. Vladimir Fedorov, a veteran engineering executive from Meta, has joined Github as CTO. Will Robinson, formerly Coinbase’s VP of engineering, is now the CTO at Plaid. Stephen Deadman, Meta’s VP of data protection in Europe, is departing due to organizational changes." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].5 billion to onboard approximately 55 individuals, including notable ex-Apple design leaders. OpenAI aims to develop a voice-first AI device and AI earbuds, with prototypes already in existence. Google introduced AI Mode in Google Search during its I/O event and is leveraging personal data to enhance its Gemini model, which is nearing 500 million monthly users. Anthropic unveiled its Claude 4 models, claiming they are the best for coding. YouTube appointed Justin Connolly as its head of media and sports, Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, Vladimir Fedorov joined Github as CTO, Will Robinson became the CTO at Plaid, and Stephen Deadman is leaving Meta.
AppWizard
May 22, 2025
Instagram is testing a new feature that introduces an immersive 3D experience for users interacting with photos on the platform, utilizing Meta's Reality Labs and the Meta Quest VR headset. A select group of testers will soon experience this functionality, which aims to enhance visual exploration and engagement with Instagram's content.
AppWizard
May 17, 2025
Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.
AppWizard
April 21, 2025
Google has started rolling out version 14.2 of Android Auto, focusing on bug fixes and minor adjustments. The update does not mention "Glasses," which had previously led to speculation about smart glasses integration. This speculation arose from a Hindi version of the app that included references to "Glasses" and navigation capabilities, but discrepancies between language versions suggest it may have been a translation error. Additionally, Google has showcased ambitions for smart glasses in a TED 2025 demonstration, featuring a "memory" function that helps users track lost items.
AppWizard
February 12, 2025
In December of last year, Google introduced Android XR, an extended reality operating system for virtual and mixed reality headsets, with a commercial launch planned for 2025. Samsung is developing a headset for this platform, called Project Moohan, and Google’s DeepMind subsidiary is creating a pair of smart glasses. Android XR app developers can request camera permissions similar to those on Android smartphones, allowing access to both world-facing and selfie cameras. Unlike Meta’s Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro, which do not allow third-party camera access, Android XR will enable developers to access the living room feed through the headset's cameras to enhance mixed-reality applications. Developers can also request access to "Scene Understanding" features, including light estimation and advanced tracking capabilities for hand movements. Basic hand tracking functionalities will be available by default, with further details expected from Google soon.
Winsage
December 15, 2024
Phone Link app users may experience changes in notification visibility due to a new feature in Android 15 that restricts access to sensitive notifications for privacy reasons. Notifications containing sensitive details, such as two-factor authentication codes, will not be displayed unless the application has the RECEIVESENSITIVENOTIFICATIONS permission. This permission is typically granted to system apps and some trusted third-party companion applications. Phone Link, categorized as a third-party app, is expected to request the necessary permissions to access sensitive notifications, but this will only occur for users with Samsung devices running One UI 6.1.1 or later.
BetaBeacon
December 14, 2024
Google is introducing a new Android XR operating system and Gemini AI for smart glasses and augmented reality, putting them in direct competition with Apple and Meta. The Android XR system, developed with Samsung, will power AR and VR experiences, with the Gemini AI enhancing user experience by facilitating conversations and device control. The integration of Android XR with Gemini 2.0 AI aims to create AI models capable of understanding the world and making decisions. Google plans to adapt popular apps for immersive experiences through Android XR, with prototype glasses undergoing testing soon. The company is optimistic about the transformative potential of Android XR in revolutionizing user interaction with technology.
Search