Google this week started rolling out an update to Google Glass, which incorporates Google+ updates, among other things.
As noted by Phandroid, the update – dubbed XE5 – will display Google+ notifications, like shares, comments, and mentions, and allow for Glass wearers to comment on and +1 content. The high-tech specs can also notify users about incoming Hangout notifications.
The move comes as Google on Tuesday launched an update to its Google+ Hangouts On Air feature to incorporate some user recommendations.
he search giant’s video chat service is opening up, most notably by adding a rewind option to live broadcasts. If you missed the beginning of a live Hangout, you can start the video from the beginning, or jump back to that hilarious joke you want to rewatch.
Starting live broadcasts just got a lot easier, as well. When users visit a page with a Hangout On Air — like Events or YouTube — the video will begin playing as soon as the show starts, with no refreshing required. Additionally, Google added the option to access recordings immediately after the broadcast — once the video ends, a copy will be waiting on YouTube.
Meanwhile, what software update would be complete without boosting its mobile counterpart? Users tuning into a Hangout On Air from their smartphone or tablet will enjoy a higher-quality video, Google said.
These improvements may slow the Hangouts process, though, the Google+ team said. For example, the “Start broadcasting” button may remain gray for a few extra seconds before turning red to signify it’s ready.
“Nothing to worry about,” Google said, “this is just us getting everything in place before you go live.”
The new features were put to the test yesterday during the Google+ Hangout On Air for Ender’s Game, in which the upcoming film’s director Gavin Hood, producer Bob Orci, and star Asa Butterfield exclusively premiered the trailer.
Hangouts got an update in February when Google revamped its social network to boost the experience for those in areas with low and/or unreliable connectivity. The site added a bandwidth slider for users to adjust their preferences in real time, making it easier to keep videos running. An audio-only mode allowed users to send and receive audio only, for those who don’t like to show their face on camera.
Only two months earlier, Google introduced a very low frequency version of Hangouts, for which users needed only about 150KB of bandwidth to participate.
Other updates to Google Glass, meanwhile, includes faster message transcription, international dialing and SMS, and more reliable battery estimates. For more, check out Google Glass: Everything You Need to Know and Google Glass’s White Male Problem.
Also see PCMag’s review of Google+ for iPad and the slideshow above.