Google recently wrapped up its Google+ Photographer’s Conference in San Francisco. During the event, a number of Google employees, including co-founder Sergey Brin, wore the company’s Project Glass prototype, and even a shared a video and a photo album of point-of-view images taken with the device. The augmented reality head-mounted display prototypes are being tested outside the walls of Google’s Mountain View campus as the company continues to refine the devices. Details surround the glasses are few and far between, and it is still unclear if Project Glass will ever hit the consumer market in its current form. Point-of-view images and a video taken with Project Glass prototypes follow below.

[Via Engadget]

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The Pebble smartwatch has had a tremendous journey over the past three weeks. Not even a week after its announcement, the watch became the most funded project in the history of crowd-sourcing website Kickstarter. Eric Migicovsky, the company’s founder, and his team have since doubled in size from five employees to 10 and have sold 85,000 watches to 66,434 backers, raising more than $10 million in the process. The Pebble was in such high demand that Migicovsky made the difficult decision to limit pre-orders to 85,000, a number that was reached nine days prior to the project’s original end date of May 18th.

The Pebble smartwatch is compatible with iOS 5 and Android 2.3 or higher. The device features a 1.26-inch 144 x 168-pixel black and white ePaper display with a backlight, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and newly added support for Bluetooth 4.0, which will be enabled shortly after launch through a free software update. The Pebble is also equipped with a three-axis accelerometer, a vibrating motor and four control buttons that lie on the sides of the device.

The watch is able to receive call, email and message notifications and can control music from Spotify, iTunes and Pandora on iOS or Android devices over Bluetooth. Perhaps the Pebble’s most exciting feature is its software development kit (SDK), which will enable third-party developers to create applications that can expand the watches’ capabilities. Earlier this month, the company announced it had partnered with popular fitness app RunKeeper to allow users to wirelessly control and display information from the app on the Pebble.

We, like many others, have taken an interest in Pebble and ordered a watch, and will review the device later this fall. The Pebble smartwatch will be available for pre-order after May 18th for $150 and will ship after the Kickstarter orders, which are slated for a September arrival.

Google continues to tease its unique and futuristic “Project Glass” HUD glasses. The Internet giant recently made a short post on its Google+ page and shared an image taken with its Project Glass prototype. “We announced Project Glass in part to let our team start testing prototypes outside the office,” the company wrote. “Sebastian Thrun, one of our project leaders, tried one out last weekend and we just had to share the result.” Thrun’s image, as seen above, has gone viral and in less than 24 hours has been +1′d nearly 2,000 times and re-shared by nearly 1,000 individuals, including Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

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Google unveiled “Project Glass” earlier this week, an undertaking that it hopes will bring eyewear equipped with heads-up display technology to the masses. The new glasses currently in development include an integrated transparent display that projects images and data in the wearer’s field of vision. HUD technology such as this could allow users to pair Google’s glasses with a smartphone and view data while the handset remains tucked away, or they could operate as a standalone product with an integrated chipset and embedded flash memory. The project has stirred up a healthy amount of intrigue within the media and among consumers, and Google’s competition has apparently taken note.

Though Project Glass was revealed just this week, rival companies already have similar products in development according to Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White.

White is currently meeting with supply chain companies in China and Taiwan, and he shared several insights from meetings in Taipei in a note to investors Thursday night. White observed an overall optimistic tone during his first day of meetings as companies prepare for a seasonal ramp-up in production. This is sharp contrast to the tone White observed in similar meetings late last year.

The analyst saw cautious optimism for the ultrabook market and LCD trends that are seemingly stabilizing. As an interesting side note, however, he also stated that multiple companies are already working on responses to Google’s just-announced smart glasses.

“Our meetings today indicate that Google glasses (a.k.a., Project Glass) already has competitors working on similar initiatives to improve consumer’s mobility around Internet access,” White wrote. “We expect to be hear more about projects such as this and others in the coming years. This could drive a new wave of innovation across the mobility space.”

White did not elaborate on what distinguishing features these rival devices might include, and he did not indicate which Google competitors might currently be working on HUD glasses to rival Google’s Project Glass.

Oakley THUMP sunglasses not doing it for you? A rumored Google project based around the concept of a pair of glasses that can deliver real-time information on a heads-up display has gone public. In a Google+ post, the company is asking for feedback on their project to help shape what the end result will actually look like.

We think technology should work for you—to be there when you need it and get out of your way when you don’t.

A group of us from Google[x] started Project Glass to build this kind of technology, one that helps you explore and share your world, putting you back in the moment. We’re sharing this information now because we want to start a conversation and learn from your valuable input. So we took a few design photos to show what this technology could look like and created a video to demonstrate what it might enable you to do.

Please follow along as we share some of our ideas and stories. We’d love to hear yours, too. What would you like to see from Project Glass?

Hit the break for a video showcasing the new technology.

[Via 9to5Google]

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Following the much delayed BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 update, the tablet finally has a native email client, other PIM apps and a larger selection of apps thanks to its Android player. Research in Motion is now looking to further boost interest in its debut slate, and it has announced the BlackBerry Mini Keyboard for those users looking for a physical keypad option on top of the virtual one. The accessory retails for a lofty $119.99 and is available for pre-order starting today, with shipments going out on March 23rd. The concept of the keyboard is similar to the competition. It includes a multitouch trackpad for browsing, a keyboard for easy input and a battery that last up to 30 days. Unlike the ASUS Transformer Prime, RIM’s accessory does not have a docking feature and is just a carrying case with an integrated Bluetooth keyboard. RIM’s video demonstation follows below.

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Samsung has developed a new universal remote control for its televisions and home theater accessories that ditches dozens of buttons in favor of Siri-like voice command support and a touch pad. As Apple reportedly readies an assault on the TV industry, established vendors such as Sony, LG and Samsung looked to cut the Cupertino-based firm off at the pass during this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. All the big names at this year’s show added voice controls and gesture support to their flagship HDTVs, and now Samsung has taken the wraps off its new voice-controlled universal remote, Nikkei’s Tech-On blog reports. The device allows users to speak commands in many cases rather than typing on a keyboard or pressing buttons, and it uses a combination of Bluetooth and infrared connectivity to improve reliability. While Samsung hasn’t yet stated exactly which devices will be compatible with its new remote, it did say TVs, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and other accessories will be supported.

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T-Mobile USA announced on Tuesday that it is now selling Square credit card systems in its retail stores. Square allows people to take payments by swiping a credit card through the Square dongle, which can be plugged into the end of a smartphone. “The success of our small business customers is important to us. Formerly ‘cash only’ small businesses can now simply and cost-effectively accept credit cards with their smartphone using Square, giving them an easy path to growth,” said Matt Millen, vice president of small and medium business sales at T-Mobile. “As these businesses evaluate their wireless needs, T-Mobile is committed to providing quality of service, cost savings and connectivity that are a requirement for their success.” T-Mobile will also offer direct support for the smartphone payment accessory. The company’s full press release follows after the break.

T-Mobile Commits to Helping Small Businesses Transform Their Business and “Get Paid Fast”

Company is the First Wireless Carrier to Offer Square Credit Card Readers in StoresBELLEVUE, Wash. — Jan. 31, 2012

Boxee will begin shipping its new Boxee Live TV tuners this week according to a post on the company’s blog. The new device is a dongle that provides Boxee Box owners with the ability to watch local broadcast TV stations. The Boxee Box accessory costs just $49.99 and it is likely best for those who have turned to Boxee to replace their cable television subscription, not those who are using it as a supplement. The Boxee Live TV tuner supports the following:

• Social Channel Listings – We’ll show you what’s on, what your friends are watching, and how many people total are watching a show as you flip through channels.
• Sharing – Share the traditional Boxee way on Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr AND you can now passively share to Facebook using our Live TV Timeline App – turn sharing on and whatever you’re tuned into will post to your Facebook ticker automatically.  It’s easy to switch off too so your friends don’t need to know about your addiction to HSN.
• Edit Channels - Quickly hide channels from your lineup that don’t speak your language or have pissed you off with bad programming decisions like taking Arrested Development off the air.  Easily rename WNDHCTA 7.2 to NBC.
• All-In-One Interface – done watching a show on broadcast, easily jump into more episodes from the web. It’s the best of both worlds all on the same remote.

Wilson Electronics on Tuesday unveiled the Sleek 4G-V, the world’s first LTE signal booster. It will work with Verizon’s 700MHz 4G LTE network as well as 2G and 3G networks on 1800/1900MHz frequency bands. Like similar booster models, the Sleek 4G-V can be strapped to the roof of a car to help boost LTE signal in low-coverage areas, and Wilson Electronics says the antenna is 20 times more powerful than any LTE handset. ”Verizon Wireless customers who use LTE-enabled phones and data devices can now enjoy the same benefits of Wilson boosters that others on 3G networks have long enjoyed,” Wilson’s director of business development Laine Matthews said. Wilson expects the Sleek 4G-V to be available during the second quarter of next year for $149.95. The company’s press release follows below.

Wilson Electronics Introduces the World’s First 4G Mobile Signal Booster at 2012 International CES

New Sleek 4G-V boosts voice and data communications on 2G and 3G Networks, as well as Verizon Wireless™ LTE

LAS VEGAS – Jan. 9, 2012 – Wilson Electronics (www.WilsonElectronics.com), manufacturer of North America’s top-selling line of cellular signal boosters, announced at 2012 International CES the world’s first 4G mobile signal booster, the Sleek® 4G-V.

In areas with Verizon Wireless™ LTE service the Sleek 4G-V will ensure a strong LTE signal as well as conventional 3G or 2G signals. Benefits include fewer dropped connections and no-service “dead zones,” faster data transfer rates and improved battery life for wireless devices.

The Sleek 4G-V is on display at the Wilson Electronics booth #35219 in the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, level 2, through Jan. 13.

The device, with an MSRP of $149.95, boosts all LTE, 3G and 2G cellular signals on 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency bands. Designed for use in a vehicle, the Sleek 4G-V can also be used indoors with the purchase of an optional accessory kit – perfect for boosting signal to 4G wireless hotspots like the Verizon JetPack.™

“Verizon Wireless customers who use LTE-enabled phones and data devices can now enjoy the same benefits of Wilson boosters that others on 3G networks have long enjoyed,” said Laine Matthews, Wilson’s director of business development. “For those troubled by a weak signal, the Sleek 4G-V provides a strong, reliable connection so they can connect with confidence.”

In areas not served by Verizon Wireless LTE, the Sleek 4G-V will amplify any existing signal on 800 MHz and 1900 MHz bands. This allows the user to enjoy a strong, reliable cellular signal even when no 4G service is available.

The Sleek 4G-V delivers more than 20 times the power of a typical cell phone, but weighs only three ounces (85 grams) and measures just 2.5 by 4.5 by 2.5 inches (6.4 x 11.4 6.4 cm). Simple, do-it-yourself installation is done in a matter of minutes.

The Sleek 4G-V will be available in the second quarter of 2012 from most Wilson resellers. It is designed for ideal use with a Bluetooth headset or other hands-free device. Additionally, like all Wilson signal boosters, the Sleek 4G-V features very sophisticated cell tower protection technologies developed over more than a decade of research and development.

Despite the proliferation of smartphones that include built-in mobile hotspot capabilities, the market for dedicated mobile hotspot routers like Novatel Wireless’s Mifi line of products is seen growing significantly over the next five years. According to a new report from market research and analysis firm ABI Research, 7.1 million dedicated mobile hotspot devices will ship in 2011 carrying an estimated end-user revenue value of $1 billion. In 2016, ABI expects annual shipments to reach 60 million units, representing more than $5 billion in end-user revenue value. Read on for more.

“The first products to reach the market in 2009 generally overshot the mass consumer population,” ABI Research analyst Jeff Orr said in a statement. “Products were very complex to set up and catered to an IT-managed remote workgroup environment, such as a construction site or field emergency response team.” Orr says that significant headway has been made across a number of markets thanks to the introduction of smaller devices, reduced complexity and a push from carriers looking to open new data revenue channels.

Mobile hotspot routers like Novatel’s Mifi lineup connect to cellular data networks and then share that data connection wirelessly with any Wi-Fi-enabled device. Novatel announced in October that it had shipped 3 million Mifi-branded mobile hotspots to date.

When a product emerges that is created by a team of ex-Apple employees — including one responsible in part for leading the hardware teams behind the iPod and iPhone — that product sells out almost immediately. The latest device to fit the bill isn’t a new smartphone or even a tablet; no, this time around it’s actually a thermostat. As odd as that sounds, the Nest thermostat is exciting in many, many ways. For starters, the amount of thought that went into just the hardware alone is, well, Apple-like. It’s miles ahead of any comparable product in terms of look, form and function. It’s sleek yet is based on a classic and familiar Honeywell T87 round thermostat, and it is packed to the brim with technology including, among other things, a vivid color LCD display and Wi-Fi support.

The Nest thermostat doesn’t just provide control from your smartphone or web-browser from anywhere in the world, which is impressive in itself — it’s a learning product that will adjust to your preferences and habits. It will also adjust to factors like outside weather and other conditions to always make sure the temperature in your home or office is comfortable. Above all else, it will reduce your energy consumption by automatically adjusting your heat and airconditioning usage based on whether or not you are home. Go out for a bit, and the thermostat will lower your heat to save energy. As soon as you walk in, it senses you’re home and it will instantly dial up the heat to suit your preferences.

Installing the Nest thermostat was incredibly straight-forward even though I’ve never installed a thermostat or light fixture before. The directions are very simple to follow and well thought out. After removing the plastic piece of garbage that used to be attached to the wall, I quickly leveled the thermostat thanks to the built-in level on its base, screwed it in, connected the labeled wires to the backplate and connected the front display. There’s an outer ring wheel you rotate just like that classic Honeywell thermostat, except this one also doubles as an Apple iPod-like clickwheel, letting you select and enter text or scroll through options.

After you’re set up, Nest immediately starts learning your heating and cooling preferences. I installed the unit yesterday evening and since then I’ve successfully set a schedule from my web-based Nest account and adjusted the temperate from the Nest app on my iPhone, and the unit has performed perfectly. It’s hard to believe that I’m excited about a thermostat, but this is much more than a thermostat to me, especially if it can conserve energy. Plus I don’t have to get up to change the temperature anymore.

We’ll have more on the Nest learning thermostat soon.

Despite the increasing popularity Wi-Fi of integrated tethering functionality across a variety of smartphone platforms, sales of dedicated portable hotspots continue to remain strong. Novatel Wireless, a pioneer in personal mobile hotspots, on Monday announced that lifetime shipments of its MiFi mobile hotspot line has now surpassed 3 million units globally. Beyond the tried and true reliability of Novatel’s MiFi devices — anyone who follows BGR’s live coverage of press conferences knows we rely on them constantly — the milestone reaffirms the fact that many users aren’t willing to sacrifice smartphone battery life for the sake of convergence. “Three years ago we introduced the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and revolutionized the way people access the Internet, from anywhere, anytime,” Novatel Wireless CEO Peter Leparulo said in a statement. “The MiFi system architecture brought a new user-experience to mobile broadband consumers, with one click connect and no software to install. It also allows carriers to reach a wider, more diverse subscriber base with innovative service opportunities. We are very pleased to have achieved this milestone illustrating our significant market and product leadership for mobile hotspots.” Novatel’s full press release follows below.

Novatel Wireless Celebrates Shipment of its Three Millionth MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot

SAN DIEGO ­ October 31, 2011 ­ Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that shipments of its MiFi® Intelligent Mobile Hotspot have surpassed three million devices since product introduction in 2009.

³Three years ago we introduced the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and revolutionized the way people access the Internet, from anywhere, anytime,² says Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. ³The MiFi system architecture brought a new user-experience to mobile broadband consumers, with one click connect and no software to install. It also allows carriers to reach a wider, more diverse subscriber base with innovative service opportunities. We are very pleased to have achieved this milestone ­ illustrating our significant market and product leadership for mobile hotspots.²

Novatel Wireless invented and launched the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot in 2009 and pioneered and created a whole new product category in the wireless ecosystem. Novatel Wireless owns significant intellectual property and holds numerous U.S. and international key patents and patent applications around core elements of the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot family of products.

Since its introduction, Novatel Wireless has commercially launched its MiFi devices with 25 operators worldwide and has received major industry accolades for innovation.

³We will continue to focus on the value that the MiFi experience brings to users.  With the world becoming increasingly connected, there is opportunity to improve the way we interact with our wireless devices and our connected experience,² says Rob Hadley, CMO of Novatel Wireless. ³We are very proud of the support for our MiFi family of products and will continue to focus on innovation that has made the brand what it is today.²

Novatel Wireless currently holds 35 issued or allowed U.S. patents and 37 filed U.S. patent applications, some of which it holds or has filed for in additional patent jurisdictions as well.

Apple news site MacRumors on Friday discovered images of a new LED Display on Apple’s website. While the OS X Lion wallpaper could have meant that these are simply new product shots as opposed to an updated model we’re looking at, the URL of the image features the recently revealed part number “MC914.” This part number corresponds with a number seen in a recent leak that identified multiple forthcoming refreshed Apple products. The new LED Display will be nearly identical to the current model, though it will include a Thunderbolt I/O port for connectivity to Mac computers. Apple’s upcoming mid-2011 MacBook, MacBook Air and Mac mini refreshes are all expected to include new Thunderbolt ports as well.

[Via MacRumors]

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Windows developers around the world had cause for excitement Thursday afternoon as Microsoft finally released a beta version of its Kinect for Windows software development kit. As the name might imply, this new SDK will allow developers to build Windows software that makes use of Microsoft’s popular motion-based controller as a peripheral. The SDK obviously opens the door for Kinect-controlled Windows PC games, but we’re sure Windows developers will find plenty of creative ways to make use of the great technology. Developers can download the SDK beta immediately via the read link below.

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