Google Glass to expand features into music

When Glass loads it will now display “listen to” among its standard voice commands, so that users can search for songs, scan through saved playlists, as well as stream music through Google Play.

Users will be able to link their Play accounts to give them access to song recommendations and playlists based on what they have listened to previously.

A set of headphones designed for Glass, which currently costs $1,500 (£940) for the Explorer Edition which was shipped in April, will be available by the end of the month for $85 (£53).

The wearable computer or smartphone comes in the form of eyeglasses and is already able to record videos, take photos, chat, get directions, and look up facts on the internet.

Ed Sanders, director of marketing for Google Glass, said: “With these new features, we’re now building a great music experience on Glass, whether you’re a classical music professor, an acclaimed sound engineer and hip-hop producer, or someone who wants to listen to their favourite tunes anytime, anywhere.”

The music features should not market the Glass itself, but it will also help extend the reach of Google’s streaming service, Google Play Music All Access, which is similar to Spotify and has struggled to gain much traction so far.

Google Glass also recently launched an accessory store where customers can buy an extra cable and charger, a microfiber pouch, a new Clear Shield and an extra Mono Earbud.

The next version of Glass will be an updated version of the original model and will launch later this year. Existing customers will be able to trade in their current models for new ones.

In reviewing the original Glass, Matt Warman, The Telegraph’s head of technology, said: “In conversation, Glass is usually redundant. It’s not recording everything you see, and its video defaults to 10 second films.

“Glass’s main disadvantage is that it looks slightly weird, rather than that it should scare people by its implications.”

source: telegraph.co.uk