Google Glass embraces at least three technology areas (ubiquitous computing, Internet of Things, and wearable technologies), all of which find a place in any survey on recent technology trends. Like smartphones, Google Glass provides an open mobile computing platform that is set to trigger a variety of very useful applications, many of which are unique to Google Glass. This book is concerned with building Glass-based applications, called Glassware.

For building Glassware, Google has released two toolkits: Mirror API and Glass Development Kit (GDK). The primary aim of this book is to serve as a useful resource for developing Glassware using mostly the recent GDK toolset. For completeness, the book does include a whole chapter on Mirror API-based Glassware application development.

After a brief introduction to the features and concepts of Google Glass and Glassware, the book goes on in tutorial style to explain how Glassware developers can develop various application using the GDK. Starting from the simple Hello Glass programs, the development of various complex Glassware applications is explained in great detail in eight chapters (chapters 2 through 9). Glassware applications include camera, video, image processing, voice and audio, networking, location and maps, and graphics and games, and there are separate chapters for each of these topics.

Chapter 2 lays the foundation for building Glassware by describing in detail the installation and use of the Android development environment, connecting and communicating with the Glass device, and using the Eclipse environment to build, simulate, and finally upload the Glassware applications. Glassware can be developed on all of the major platforms (Mac, Windows, and Linux), and the necessary details for building the application on these platforms are explained thoroughly.

In chapter 3, the important concepts of “time line” and “live cards” that are fundamental to GDK-based Glassware are introduced with sample code fragments. All aspects related to the Glass user interface are given in this chapter. These initial chapters are essential for building the various Glass applications that are discussed in the subsequent chapters.

The subsequent chapters describe and illustrate, with code samples, various applications. Some of the interesting applications are taking pictures, uploading pictures, barcode recognition, OpenCV video processing, YouTube integration, audio capture, socket programming, detecting metal, and OpenGL ES drawing. The elements of animation and running Android games are also discussed.

Each chapter starts with a brief summary and proceeds in a tutorial style from simple applications to more complex ones. A notable aspect of the book is that there are plenty of code samples and references to public websites for additional information. Hands-on developers should find the book a valuable resource.

Overall, the book is well written, timely, and complementary to available materials on public websites. Android developers will find the book relatively easy to read. The book may have little value for non-programmers who are interested in knowing more about Google Glass usage and technology.

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