Talk on developing Google Glass apps with GDK XE12 at GDG Singapore, 25 Feb 2014. Introduction, overview, framework, resources to get started

1. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Photo credit:
TheVerge.com

2. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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About myself
Chua Zi Yong
Developing Android for about 5 years
Founder of Stream Media
Founder of CodeAndroid Singapore
https://www.facebook.com/groups/codeandroid/

3. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What we will cover today on Glass
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources
This session will cover more on high level development
consideration – less emphasis on design and technical
discussions

4. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Basics of Google Glass
What is Glass?
Introduction
Framework
How to use Glass?
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

5. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Getting Started: https://developers.google.com/glass/
1) Take note of the design principles (very small screen!)
2) Choose your poison: Mirror API or GDK
3) Check out the samples and demos
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

6. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Developing with GDK
1) Run from Glass itself (offline!) unlike Mirror API
2) Based on Android 4.0.2, apps compiled as APK
3) Download using ADT (GDK Sneak Peak)
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

7. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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How is GDK related to Android development?
You can port your Android code and redesign the
interface for Glass, supposedly - At this stage, not everything
works, e.g. Play Services, default Share API
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

8. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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How is your app triggered?
- Command line (that’s how it was done in XE11)
- Voice trigger
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

9. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Voice trigger
-
Voice trigger is used to launch your app
-
You can use any commands during development
-
Glassware only support standard set of voice commands
(https://developers.google.com/glass/develop/gdk/input/voice)
-
You can submit new commands for approval (which you will
hear back in around 2 weeks)
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

10. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Contextual voice commands
- Sometimes, voice commands is more than “Take a
Picture”
- Add voice prompt in voicetrigger.xml (“Ok glass, get
directions to, home”)
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<trigger keyword="@string/glass_voice_trigger">
<input prompt="@string/glass_voice_prompt" />
</trigger>
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

11. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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3 types of interfaces
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

12. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Static Cards – appear to the right of Timeline
Static cards
Right now it does nothing except “show you something”
- Please help upvote issue 320 https://code.google.com/p/google-glass-api/issues/detail?id=320
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

13. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Live Cards – appear to the left of Timeline
- “live” interaction and card can update itself
- User can interact with other cards while active
Live cards
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

14. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Immersions – takes over the whole screen
- Like a normal Android app
- Outside of Timeline
- User cannot interact with cards unless they close your app
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

15. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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How to use the Interfaces
- Immersion – standard Android app architecture
- Static Card – use TimelineManager from either running
app or service (insert, update, query, delete)
- Live Card – will talk more next slide
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

16. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Live Card Architecture
- Unlike an app, your default launch is a Live Card Service
- Keeps on running
- Need to create pendingintent to launch menu activity to
close the live card
- 2 types of rendering – Low and Hi Frequency
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

17. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Live Card Architecture – Low Frequency Rendering
- Small set of views and low update rate
- For example, match score
User says “Ok Glass, <trigger>
Launch live card service
Remote View
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources
Live Card

18. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Live Card Architecture – High Frequency Rendering
- Dynamic rendering
- For example, timer
User says “Ok Glass, <trigger>
Launch live card service
Drawing Logic, other
services
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources
SurfaceView
Live Card

19. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Other things to take note of
- You can specify touch gestures (like a D-Pad)
- Sensors: Voice Input, GPS, Accelerometer,, Camera
- Glass heats up very fast and have low battery life
- Design your app to be as light weight as possible to reduce
load
- Continuous video recording is about 45-60 minutes
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

20. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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See some code?
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

21. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What is available by default
- Google Search
- Call/SMS/Hangout
- Get Directions/POI Searches
- Take Picture/Video
- Google Music
- Gmail
- Google Now
….
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

22. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What interesting apps developers are building
- Wolframalpha - “OK Glass, Compute, Population of
Finland”
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

23. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What interesting apps developers are building
- DriveSafe – Detects if you are dozing while driving and
give directions to nearest rest area
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

24. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What interesting apps developers are building
- WeMoGlass – Control Belkin WeMo devices at home
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

25. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What limits developers right now?
- Band-Aid everywhere – check issues often on the
project page, may take time to fix
- E.g. mediascanner only works on reboot, share not working,
no GCM
- Certain features are Mirror API only, notification, action
for static cards
- No emulator
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

26. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Resources for developers
- Main Page https://developers.google.com/glass/
- Project Home (https://code.google.com/p/google-glass-api/) for
list of bugs and upcoming enhancements
- Stackoverflow
(http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/google-gdk)
- Unofficial Glassware list (http://glass-apps.org/google-glassapplication-list)
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

27. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Getting Glass
- USD$1500 + tax
- Must be over 18 and resident of United States
- Must self collect at Google Office either in NYC or SF
- Choose color
- Go through fitting process
- Setup on your phone
- Need to get invite from Google (Register your interest through
http://www.google.com/glass/)
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

28. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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What if I can’t get Glass?
- You can emulate Glass on your Android device with the
instructions from http://www.elekslabs.com/2013/11/googleglass-development-without-glass.html (Or search “Glass
development without Glass”, 3rd result)
- You can emulate the screen resolution on your device (caution:
please get familiar with adb commands before you try)
- Above 4.3: adb shell wm size 640x360
- Below 4.3: adb shell am display-size 640x360
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources

29. Developing Glass Apps Using GDK (XE12 Update)
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Questions?
Introduction
Framework
Constraints
and
Possibility
Resources