Programming Google Glass, 2nd Edition

Programming Google Glass: Build Great Glassware Apps with the Mirror API and GDK

Google Glass is the wearable computer that everyone’s talking about–a head-mounted optical display with a camera that responds to voice and gesture controls. You can use the Mirror API and Glass Development Kit (GDK) to build custom Glassware for yourself and others, from social networks and geolocated maps to immersive video games and more. This new edition, with an all-new part covering the GDK, kick-starts your Glassware development by showing you how to write real-world functional applications that you can deploy and run. It’s the book to read for a shortcut to this new world.

This is your all-inclusive guidebook for programming Glassware. You’ll learn the nuances of the Mirror API and the recently released GDK as you build example applications: a restaurant finder, blogging app, Glass stats monitor, party animator, QR code reader, video game, and more.

You’ll jump right in with a fun application that leverages the power of the Mirror API web service, Google’s server-side interface for creating Glassware. You’ll deploy and support users with OAuth, managing their timelines with cards and menu items. You’ll create callable services for geolocation tracking, change notifications, and custom menu options. You’ll also learn some optical-display design basics.

In Part 2, new in this edition, you’ll learn how to program a more immersive experience using the GDK, Google’s extension to Android for Glass. You’ll populate the Glass timeline with static and live cards, where you can richly interact with the Glass hardware. You’ll create an animation application (with balloons!), and move onto more advanced apps using the camera and real-time rendering. You’ll learn how to hack and debug your Glass, and you’ll see how to turn existing applications into Glassware.

Be one of the first programmers of a technology that will only become more ubiquitous, advanced, and nuanced.

What You Need:You will need a Google Glass device and Java 1.6 or greater. An Android device, such as a smart phone or tablet, is also helpful, but not necessary.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Wrapping Your Head Around Glass

Part I The Mirror API
Chapter 2. The Google App Engine PaaS
Chapter 3. Authorizing Your Glassware
Chapter 4. Building the Timeline
Chapter 5. Tracking Movement and User Responses
Chapter 6. Making Glass Social
Chapter 7. Designing for Glass
Chapter 8. Turning a Web App to Glassware

Part II Glass Development Kit
Chapter 9. Introducing the GDK
Chapter 10. An Android Introduction on Glass
Chapter 11. Live Cards
Chapter 12. Advanced Rendering and Navigation
Chapter 13. Voice and Video Immersions
Chapter 14. Creating an Immersive Game
Chapter 15. Preparing For the Real World
Chapter 16. Turning an Android App to Glassware