Tag: google glass

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is offering the wearable tech to customers.

The Spanish five star exclusive abbey hotel and winery in Spain’s Duero wine region, dating back to 1146, is providing guests who visit its 900 year old property with Google Glass, and is the first hotel in Europe to do so.

The hotel has eight of the wearable devices.

The smart glasses are provided to guests so that they can obtain more from their experience at the hotel, which is well known for its architecture and art collection. During their stay, guests with the devices can watch videos about the hotel, take photos, videos, surf the web, make phone calls, and so on. When it is time for them to leave, guests can keep any of the personal files that were stored on their device, which is downloaded to a memory stick and given to them at checkout.

Andres Araya, LeDomaine’s managing director, has said that “Google Glass is the next step in our complete transformation from an ancient and storied abbey to a sophisticated modern hotel offering the highest level of luxury and service in a sublime historic ambiance.” Araya added that with Glass “we are introducing our guests to an exciting new 21st-century experience in a 12th-century setting.”

This is not the first time Google Glass has been utilized within the travel industry.

Other examples of Glass being used in the travel industry include Starwood’s app for Glass and Spanish OTA Destination’s app, which enables users of the device to book a nearby hotel. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic has used the wearable tech to receive its guests.

As was previously mentioned, guests at the hotel can enjoy different apps and functions when using Glass. In addition to snapping photos with a blink of an eye or giving a verbal command, they can watch videos including the LeDomaine art tour and can stargaze using the location-based app that will provide users with the ability to see the alignment of the stars above them at any time of the day or night.

As new apps become available for Google Glass, LeDomaine intends to add them to their devices for patrons to enjoy.

Navdy wants to give drivers the ability to focus on their smartphone and the road at the same time.

The new product from the San Francisco based startup is similar to Google Glass, only the mobile technology is designed for car windshields and gives drivers the capability to access information on their smartphones without having to take their eyes off of the road.

The HUD system from Navdy is an aftermarket console combining gesture and voice controls with a projection display.

The head-up display (HUD) system is designed to sit between the windshield and steering wheel and projects a translucent image that appears about 6 feet in front of the windshield. On the transparent display, drivers can view notifications, maps and access music apps from their phone.

The system can connect to the user’s Android phone or iPhone through Bluetooth and data can be shared via WiFi. In addition, the system can be connected with Google Maps, and the navigation that is projected on the windshield will not disappear when the user receives a message or phone call. Instead, the screen splits, allowing both to be seen.

Upon receiving a call, all the driver needs to do to answer is to give thumbs up above the steering wheel. To hang up, they just need to swipe. As for messages, they can be read to the user while they drive. Additionally, the system has been designed to display car alerts once it has been connected to the car’s computer, such as speed, battery-voltage and miles-to-empty. It is compatible with any car that was manufactured as far back as 1996.

The mobile technology enables users to customize their experience.

The Navdy system has parental controls and enables users to choose the type of notifications they receive while driving. For instance, they can choose to only receive social media notifications and texts when the car is stopped or these notifications can be shut off completely.

The co-founder and CTO of Navdy, Karl Guttag, told Mashable that “It’s obvious that touchscreens and nobs and buttons all force you to take your eyes off the road.” He added that “Theres a lot of opportunity to improve that whole experience and make the whole experience safer and more natural and intuitive.”

Therefore, while drivers will not be able to browse Facebook while they drive using this mobile technology, they can receive notifications and stay connected with their smartphones without having to fiddle with their device.