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It was only a matter of time…..First marriage proposal using Google Glass hits the Web

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Google GlassWhen Google unveiled its first ever video taken with its new head-based Glass gadget last May, we were presented with a 15-second point-of-view shot of somebody bouncing up and down on a trampoline. While it may not have caused any viewers to spit their coffee across the room in awe of the specs’ video capability, it was at least an indication of things to come.

Indeed, nine months later the Mountain View company followed up the trampoline video with something a little more creative. There were hot air balloons, ballet dancers, single-engine aircraft, skiers, parachutists, acrobats and giant human-enveloping bubbles. There was even a block of ice.

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Suitably inspired, the first recipients of Glass – whether they be developers or winners of a recent competition – have been busy exploring various situations in which they might be used, with one Breon Nagy becoming the first to capture the life-changing moment he proposed to the special woman in his life. Yes, Glass has confirmed beyond doubt that where there’s a new gadget or social media platform, there’s a tech-head ready to incorporate it into a marriage proposal.

Arguably he could’ve recorded it with a smartphone camera, but 1- he might’ve had trouble opening the ring box with one hand, and 2- it’s already been done.

The 26-second video, which Nagy posted on YouTube (below) and his Google+ account, was shot recently at picturesque Leeds Castle in south-east England.

Star of the video is Amanda Ingle, appearing in a pair of specs rather more traditional than those worn by Nagy. As he goes down on one knee, the bright sky and Glass’s lack of exposure compensation unfortunately transforms Amanda into a silhouette, though Glass’s mic means we can still hear what’s going on (when the wind isn’t blowing on it).

After responding to Nagy’s proposal with a heartfelt “yes”, Amanda springs forward to hug her husband-to-be, almost smashing her face into Glass in the process.

Amanda narrowly avoids knocking Glass from her fiancé's face.
Amanda narrowly avoids knocking Glass from her fiancé’s face. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Of course, a groundbreaking product like this futuristic computer-on-a-face gadget is ripe for such “first” videos, and we can expect to see plenty more once it gets a commercial release some time next year. Whether the videos will be any good is, of course, another question entirely.

[Top image: Antonio Zugaldia]

Trevor Mogg
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