Google Glass Explorer Edition now receiving XE5 software update, brings loads of new features and enhancements
We see it happen all the time. A not quite commercially available Android product receives an over-the-air update before it’s even released. Guess you could add Glass to that list as the XE5 software update is currently rolling out to Google’s Glass headsets everywhere. The update “fixes” some pretty big issues I’ve personally noticed in Glass, and is just the first of many Glass will receive before it’s big debut to the public. Here’s the changelog we received directly from Google Glass support:
New features in XE5:
- Change to sync policy: require power + wifi for background uploads
- Crash reporting
- Incoming G+ notifications (direct shares, comments, +mentions), including ability to comment and +1
- Incoming Hangout notifications
- Transcription of queries & messages is now wicked-fast
- Long-press to search from anywhere in the UI (no longer just from off)
- International number dialing + SMS
- Hop animation on disallowed swipes in the UI
- New On-Head Detection calibration flow
- Show device Serial Number on Device Info card
- More reliable estimation of battery charge remaining
- New recipient-list mosaic
That just about it rounds it up. If you currently have Google Glass in your possession, don’t forget that you can only initiate the update after plugging the headset into a charger. From there, Glass will take matters into its own hands. The process can take more than a few minutes (it is a pretty substantial update), so you might want to grab a sandwich in the meantime. When you return, say hello to an improved Google Glass experience. Godspeed.