Google Glass Photo Update Adds HDR, Caption Functions

When Google first unveiled Glass, a much-discussed feature was the ability to take a photo with just a swipe of the finger or a verbal command. Those early photos weren't particularly stunning in terms of image quality, however, so Google recently released a Glass update intended to boost the device's photography functions.

The update will allow users to take a rapid sequence of photos, thus allowing fans of HDR (high-dynamic range) images to enhance their photos and give them that dramatic, hyper-realistic look common on photo services like Instagram and Flickr. The update also improves the device's camera performance in low light, as well as its ability to capture moving images. As if to answer critics of the device's relatively low-quality images to date, meanwhile, the Glass team also posted a gallery of high-resolution photos to demonstrate how photos will look post-update.

In addition to photo improvements, the update also allows users to automatically add captions to their photos using voice commands. And while that small tweak might seem trivial at first, when one considers the increasingly viral nature of captioned image memes, it becomes clear that the Glass caption option it could end up fueling a new, short-hand way of exchanging mobile messages.

This latest software release is part of Google's promise to push out updates to Glass on a monthly basis.

One thing Google won't be improving just yet is your access to porn. On Monday, the same day one software company debuted a porn-related app for Glass, Google rushed to address the matter with an update to its developer policies. Under the Content Policies section, it now reads: "We don't allow Glassware content that contains nudity, graphic sex acts, or sexually explicit material. Google has a zero-tolerance policy against child pornography. If we become aware of content with child pornography, we will report it to the appropriate authorities and delete the Google Accounts of those involved with the distribution."

For more, check out Google Glass: Everything You Need to Know and Google Glass's White Male Problem.