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Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Google Glass 2.0 is here, and this time, AI makes it worth wearing
It is 2012, and Google has come up with this weird yet interesting spectacle-like wearable product that looks kind of like a safety glass for factories. Many were confused about why I was so excited about it then. I clicked many pictures with it and proclaimed to anyone who would listen that this is the future of the wearables industry, and that Google is underrated for the visionary work they do. To top it the reveal was nothing short of spectacular. Google unveiled its Google Glass 1.0 with a couple of skydivers live streaming themselves while parachuting on the San Francisco skyline. But then, this turned out to be a classic case of the product being ready, but the market not as much. No one would have realized it was a case of premature execution then. Google quietly pivoted to making this available enterprise only. The enterprise edition in 2017 found only a few takers in the medical and the industrial field. And Google finally stopped selling and supporting the enterprise edition too in 2023. One of the most important differences from the Meta glasses though is the in-lens display which Google says aims not to escape reality but to enhance it.(Google) In the meanwhile, in 2021, another quiet development was taking place. Meta had developed a wearable whose form factor looked eerily similar to Google Glass, in partnership with Essilor Luxottica. Meta then upgraded the product in 2023 and then again in 2024. Cut to today, it has become so common to see people wearing chunky Ray-Ban Meta glasses clicking away in Silicon Valley. This must have made Google feel vindicated about its product and choice of form factor back in 2012. Google has made some significant announcements regarding Android XR glasses in its Google I/O in May 2025. To be sure, Google isn't doing this alone this time around. They are partnering with Samsung, Qualcomm and Xreal. There seem to be a number of glass-like products that are in several stages of development including one with Samsung – Project Moohan and one in-house Google glass. The one with Xreal is more developer-focussed. But one thing is for sure that all of it will be using Google's Operating system for headsets and glasses – Android XR. The most exciting thing about the Google glass 2.0 is the Gemini AI integration, obviously. You can now hold live bilingual conversations, ask Gemini questions about everything you see and of course you can ask for directions. There are also two ways how your directions are displayed – either projected in front of you or on the embedded in lens display depending on where you are looking. Hands-free photos, video and note capturing are a given as it is with the Meta glasses. One of the most important differences from the Meta glasses though is the in-lens display which Google says aims not to escape reality but to enhance it. You can for instance see the directions overlayed on where you are walking and from the videos Google has shared it looks quite vivid and useful rather than intrusive. Another difference from the Meta glasses is seeing the result of the picture that you just took on the lens. This in itself feels like one step ahead of the Meta glasses. Although this is currently a prototype, the Google glasses seem to be lighter than the Meta glasses according to feedback from those who tried it at Google I/O. The product isn't out for sale yet and the price point is still unclear too. But Google has done well this time by partnering with luxury eyewear firms like Gentle Monster and the direct to consumer vendor Warby Parker. It can be argued that the Meta Ray bans wouldn't really have been as successful as they are now had they not been Ray bans. Although in 2012, Google wanted to market the product as an early adopter item, there were concerns regarding its functionality, high price, safety and privacy that ultimately led to the untimely demise of the product. Today, society and technology have evolved and the bar for many of those parameters look very different. So, with some modifications from Google it does look like the world may be ready for its Glass (and Android XR based glasses and headsets) and lap it up given the right price point. I still have the old Google Glass. I am definitely getting the 2.0 version as well. Authored by: Varun Krishnan
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Baffled Google Maps users say phone is CRASHING after searching for common journey type
TRAVELLERS have been struck by a mysterious Google Maps bug that's making it impossible for them to get around via a common journey type. The popular app has more than a billion users worldwide - but some have been hit by a baffling device crash. Advertisement 1 The public transport feature is having trouble on some Android phones Credit: Getty And strangely it only seems to affect those looking for public transport. A number of commuters and people on trips over the summer holidays have complained about the issue. The bug appears to only affect some Android smartphones. Most reports have come from various Advertisement Read more about Google Maps The Sun tested Google Maps' transit routes on a "So today my Google Maps app on android suddenly decided to bug out in a really weird and specific way," one user wrote on Reddit. "Whenever I try to search for transit directions for a place, it just crashes, every time. "I've tried uninstalling, reinstalling, logging in and out, and it still doesn't work. Advertisement Most read in Tech Breaking "The weird thing is, whenever I'm searching for walking, biking or driving directions, it works just fine! It's just transit directions that causes it to crash." Other travellers have come forward reporting the same problem. First look at Google's new Android XR glasses with life-changing augmented reality "I'm visiting NYC and relied on this crappy app to get around," another person responded. "Thank God I'm not the only person it's happening two what in the flip is going on," a third commenter said. Advertisement Others have informed Google that there's a snag in the app via their forum. But the company hasn't responded to users as yet. MAPS WORKAROUND If you have been impacted by the Google Maps public transport route issue, there are some workarounds people have discovered. It turns out, using the incognito mode in Google Maps avoids any crashing. Advertisement For those who don't know where to find it, simply tap your display image in the top right hand corner and you'll see Turn on incognito mode. Another temporary solution is to use alternative apps like Citymapper instead. TIME TO SWITCH? By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun Google Maps is a handy tool but when it comes to commuting I actually prefer Citymapper. It's made by a former Google employee and totally free. I find it faster, easier and more accurate than Google Maps. However, it only works in some cities across the globe so be sure to check it's available close to you.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Google CEO Sundar Pichai says, smartphones are not going anywhere, not for next …
Google CEO Sundar Pichai emphasises that smartphones will remain the primary consumer device for at least the next two to three years, even as the company heavily invests in augmented reality glasses technology. Speaking during Alphabet's Q2 2025 earnings call, Pichai acknowledged excitement about AR glasses while tempering expectations about their immediate impact on mobile dominance. "I think it will be an exciting new emerging category, but I still expect phones to be at the center of the [consumer] experience... for the next two to three years, at least," Pichai stated, positioning Google's approach as measured rather than revolutionary. Google continues its investment in AR The comments come as Google develops Android XR , partnering with fashion brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create stylish smart glasses . The company is also collaborating with Samsung to build a software and reference hardware platform that will enable broader ecosystem development for AR glasses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Google's approach appears more measured than competitors rushing to replace smartphones entirely. The company is first focusing on Android XR headsets before expanding to glasses, with developer tools expected later this year. This strategy acknowledges current technological limitations while building toward future possibilities when AR glasses might eventually challenge smartphone dominance . Despite his phone-centric outlook, Pichai expressed enthusiasm for Google's AR glasses investments, calling himself "super excited about our investment in glasses." His cautious timeline contrasts sharply with more aggressive predictions from other tech leaders about smartphones becoming obsolete, suggesting Google views AR glasses as complementary technology rather than an immediate smartphone killer. Apple's Eddy Cue gives iPhones a decade The CEO's stance puts Google at odds with some industry voices predicting smartphones' rapid decline. Apple's Eddy Cue recently warned that "you may not need an iPhone 10 years from now" due to AI's transformative potential, comparing the situation to Apple's decision to discontinue the iPod. However, Apple is backing up those predictions with aggressive hardware development. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is developing at least seven head-mounted devices across two product lines through 2028, including Ray-Ban-style smart glasses launching in 2027 and advanced XR glasses with full-color displays by 2028. The company's roadmap suggests it may launch more Vision Pro-like headsets than iPhones within the next three years. Google seems content to let phones reign for a few more years, Apple is quietly building an army of head-mounted devices that could flood the market sooner than expected. Meanwhile, developers will get their hands on Google's AR platform tools later this year, setting the stage for what could be an interesting few years of experimentation before anyone knows which approach wins out.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Qualcomm aims to diversify revenue base amid muted global smartphone growth
New Delhi: Chipmaker Qualcomm is actively pursuing a strategy of revenue diversification, aiming to shift away from catering predominantly to the smartphone industry into new categories, as global smartphone shipment growth remains muted, a top senior executive told ET. Currently, around 70% of Qualcomm's revenues come from the mobile segment. The company aims to reduce this to 50% by 2029, said Alex Katouzian, Group General Manager, Mobile, Compute, & XR (MCX), Qualcomm. He added that the diversification is on track, with several emerging areas performing well and contributing increasingly to the topline. 'The PC segment is on track with the primary focus being on brand pushing and channel penetration. The XR (Mixed Reality) segment is doing really well with a growing customer base that now includes Android XR and AOSP Android, not just Meta. Qualcomm's chips are designed into practically every solution that's out there in the XR space,' Katouzian said. The executive said the wearables and hearables business for the company is expected to double in the next 3-4 years, while automotive and IoT are doing well. The shift in strategy comes with the global smartphone market reaching maturity and experiencing slower growth and periodic contraction, experts said. This makes it increasingly challenging for Qualcomm to sustain strong revenue growth solely from the mobile segment. 'The shift is not about consumers giving up smartphones, as the smartphone is "very difficult to replace" and ambient computing is seen as a "subtle supplement" to it. Instead, the strategy is to move from an "app centric and smartphone at the center" model to "the human at the center with agents becoming the user experience and the user interface," the executive said. Qualcomm's diversification also comes amidst its rivals strengthening their position in the market. The company is facing increasing challenges from Taiwan-based MediaTek, which now commands a larger volume market share than Qualcomm in India and other markets. According to Counterpoint Research, MediaTek secured a 38% market share globally in the smartphone SoC (System-on-Chip) shipments in Q1 2025, while Qualcomm trailed at 28%. That said, Qualcomm's revenues from the mobile segment remains much higher than MediaTek's after its focus on increasing its presence in the premium end of the market. Katouzian asserted that volume is not the key to the company's growth, but rather the share of the wallet. 'While MediaTek might ship more smartphone chipsets by volumes, Qualcomm is far ahead by value because Qualcomm's share of the premium tier is so high in the smartphone market, yielding a much higher value, and triple quadruple the margin compared to what MediaTek can achieve across value-tier phones,' he said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Qualcomm aims to diversify revenue base amid muted smartphone growth: Exec
Qualcomm is strategically diversifying its revenue streams to reduce reliance on the smartphone market, aiming for a 50% contribution by 2029. This shift includes focusing on PC, XR, wearables, automotive, and IoT sectors, driven by maturing smartphone growth and competition from rivals like MediaTek. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Chipmaker Qualcomm is actively pursuing a strategy of revenue diversification, aiming to shift away from catering predominantly to the smartphone industry into new categories, as global smartphone shipment growth remains muted, a senior executive told around 70% of Qualcomm's revenues come from the mobile segment. The company aims to reduce this to 50% by 2029, said Alex Katouzian , Group General Manager, Mobile, Compute & XR (MCX), added that the diversification is on track, with several emerging areas performing well and contributing increasingly to the topline.'The PC segment is on track, with the primary focus being on brand pushing and channel penetration. The XR (Mixed Reality) segment is doing really well, with a growing customer base that now includes Android XR and AOSP Android, not just Meta. Qualcomm's chips are designed into practically every solution that's out there in the XR space,' Katouzian executive said the wearables and hearables business for the company is expected to double in the next 3–4 years, while automotive and IoT are doing shift in strategy comes with the global smartphone market reaching maturity and experiencing slower growth and periodic contraction, experts said. This makes it increasingly challenging for Qualcomm to sustain strong revenue growth solely from the mobile segment.'The shift is not about consumers giving up smartphones, as the smartphone is very difficult to replace and ambient computing is seen as a subtle supplement to it. Instead, the strategy is to move from an app-centric and smartphone-at-the-center model to the human at the center, with agents becoming the user experience and the user interface,' the executive diversification also comes amid its rivals strengthening their position in the market. The company is facing increasing challenges from Taiwan-based MediaTek, which now commands a larger volume market share than Qualcomm in India and other to Counterpoint Research, MediaTek secured a 38% market share globally in smartphone SoC (System-on-Chip) shipments in Q1 2025, while Qualcomm trailed at 28%. That said, Qualcomm's revenues from the mobile segment remain much higher than MediaTek's after its focus on increasing its presence in the premium end of the asserted that volume is not the key to the company's growth, but rather the share of the wallet.'While MediaTek might ship more smartphone chipsets by volume, Qualcomm is far ahead by value because Qualcomm's share of the premium tier is so high in the smartphone market, yielding a much higher value and triple or quadruple the margin compared to what MediaTek can achieve across value-tier phones,' he said.
