Tag Archives: Google

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Balenciaga’s LED Glasses Make a Case for Wearable Tech

There was a lot going on at the Balenciaga show in Paris over the weekend. For its Spring 2020 collection, the designer (still overseen by Demna Gvasalia who recently left Vetements) styled its cast of models and non-models with angled facial prosthetics, barricade-like shoulder pads were out in full force, and a case for the Spanish label’s own Top Model spin-off — Balenciaga’s Top Model — was made loud and clear via a black graphic tee.

 

But one of the biggest hits from the night was also one of the most simple: a pair of sunglasses enriched with a glowing LED logo on the side. The eyewear was inspired by light-up sneakers (the ’90s remains a constant source of influence for the designer) and can be charged with a USB cable. The LED display is triggered by a sensor that’s activated once the arms are unfolded — even better, you can tap the side to make the logo change color for maximum rave effect.

 

A lot of brands have been trying to make wearable tech happen for a while. (Remember how hard Google tried to push Google Glass down our throats a few years back? I can’t even remember the last time I saw a pair of those things IRL. Thank god.) But with the reception these glasses have gotten on social media since their debut, it’s evident that wearable tech might be a thing best kept simple. Who’d have thought that Demna, a man who’s never met an oversized silhouette it didn’t like, would be so good at ‘Less is more?’

 

 

 

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Jeremy Scott x Google Partner for Tech Collaboration

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Wild child Jeremy Scott unleashes his candy-colored eccentricities onto Google‘s new Pixel smartphone, an amusing release that seems clandestine in its making, both brands among today’s biggest tastemakers. A collaborative effort in two parts, the first is a live phone case for the tech giant’s mobile offering, a nostalgia-tinged reinvention dripping with simplified pop-art spectacle. Pictured on the product are tiny, yet overwhelmingly happy, little emojis, illustrated by Scott himself, that extend to the second half of the collaboration—an emoji keyboard bursting with crazy characters and sassy nods to the designer’s own confectionary world. Aptly dubbed J’Moji, the keyboard is the fashionable way to share emotions with just the right touch of insatiable crazy. Armed with both the phone case and keyboard, not to mention an aptitude for all things fun, anyone can walk in the shoes of fashion’s favorite child-at-heart.

The Jeremy Scott Pixel live phone case and J’Moji keyboard are available online now.

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Google Glass Introduces Prescription Sunglasses

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Nope, that’s not a photo of recent Grammy Award winner Lorde. It’s a model (with a striking resemblance to Lorde, come on!) rocking Google’s just-announced prescription sunglass frames. The mere combination of the words ‘Google’ and ‘glass’ strung together can illicit a brow furrow, a sigh, a severe eye roll, or a “don’t get me started,” but love it, hate it—or really hate it—it’s coming, and now with some slick, updated features. Google Glass‘s most recent updates include lightweight titanium frames, expanded styles, and now—perhaps the most important upgrade of them all: glasses that actually help you see. Revelatory.

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For an additional $225, the now-customizable frames will cater corrective factors of +4 to -4. Your new total: $1,725. That’s a lot of money! Enter: VSP, the nation’s biggest optical health insurance provider (which insures one-fifth of Americans), who has struck a deal with Googz to offer subsidized frames and prescription lenses. In addition, Google plans to offer two new styles of clip-on sunglasses ($150 each). The color, frame, and shade choices will advance Google Glass to 40 style variations.

Want a pair? Your options are a bit limited. You can try for the Glass Explorer Program or wait until they hit the market in “late 2014”.

Images courtesy of Google (not Lorde).

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The Internet is Real Mad at…

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PEOPLE ARE M-A-D MAD AT…

Robin Thicke, who was caught blurring the lines of marriage (see what I did there!) when he hit the dance floor at Club 79 in Paris. Taking a page from the Kristin Stewart Guide To How To Get Caught Cheating, Thicke was snapped kissing a lady that’s not his Mrs.

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Juan Pablo Galavais, who chatted with a reporter from The TV Page (who?) at a network party and said that a gay man would not make for a good Bachelor, telling the reporter (who verbally agreed with him) that homosexuals are “more pervert in a sense”.

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Esquire Magazine, which posted an article titled The Straight Man’s Guide to HBO’s Looking. In it, writer Mike Stingley, gave a bevy of cringeworthy quotes including, “You’ll be praying for a car chase and checking your phone a lot watching this,” and “…after four episodes there is not one reference to The Wizard of OzAll About Eve, or Barbara Streisand”.

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Liam Payne, who had to endure an onslaught of Twitterfare after posting a Tweet to a Duck Dynasty cast member that included a shout to the “family values [they] still all behold”. Besides meaning to say uphold, Payne also neglected the power of his reach, forcing himself to backpedal with an onslaught of kinda/sorta/half-assey apologies.

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Google, who sent out a now-leaked company-wide email that gave its employees talking points (Ex: “I am so proud to live in San Francisco and be a part of this community”) in regards to a public hearing on shuttle regulations for their private transit lines. The addendum: feel free to add your own style and opinion.

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Shia LaBeouf, who keeps on keeping on.

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Justin Bieber, who… who cares!

Bonus:

Joan Rivers, who called the sole heir to the Kardashian/West empire an “ugly” baby, noting that she’d “never seen a six-month-old so desperately in need of a waxing.”

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Article images courtesy of Tumblr; featured image courtesy of Prince.org.

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For the Guy: Silicon Stylin’

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Whether you’re an art director at Google, or just sifting through the web at home, there’s no denying the casual and sporty here-and-now qualities of Silicon Valley’s fashion sense. Use this list below to see some of our most stylish suggestions for you and your tech-friendly friends:

  • Material Change

  • Cole Haan DoDo Ipad Case

  • rag and bone Classic Racer Sweatshirt

  • Nike APC (option 1)

  • Herschel Grey Neon Rubber Backpack

  • Unqilo Ultra Light Down Vest



  • Kyte & Key



  • AG Matchbox Slim Straight Jeans

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

  • Adidas x Opening Ceremony OC Pro Model Bball

  • Retro Super Future Classic Black

  • Vince Pull Over Hoodie



  • wework

  • 'Material Change: Design Thinking and the Social Entrepreneurship Movement' ($30): The story of architect and entrepreneur Eve Blossom, who used sustainability and social ideologies to build her design business and help change the world. Available for purchase online at ArtBook.com.
  • Cole Haan iPad DODO Case ($85): Locally produced in San Francisco, this limited edition DODOcase for Cole Haan feels like a hard-bound novel, wrapping up your iPad and iPad Mini in nostalgia. Available for purchase at Cole Haan stores and online at ColeHaan.com.
  • rag & bone Classic Racer Sweatshirt ($290): Vintage-inspired, this heather grey crewneck combines elements of Japanese construction with classic American design, and features banded cuffs and hemline. Available for purchase at rag & bone boutiques and select retailers.
  • A.P.C. x Nike Air Maxim 1 ($120): Available in white and navy, these low-top, suede leather and synesthetic mesh sneakers with a neon trim are perfect for running around the office without losing a drop of style. Available for purchase at Nike and A.P.C. stores.
  • Herschel Supply Settlement Backpack ($54.99): Herschel’s classic design gets a breath of new, younger life in this grey canvas and neon yellow rubber backpack. Fully lined with contrasting red and pink cotton-poly fabric, it feataures a 15” laptop sleeve pocket, room for media storage, and much more. Available for purchase at Herschel Supply retailers and online at HerschelSupply.com.
  • Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Vest ($49.90): Stay warm the most comfortable way possible in this lighter than light compact down. Available in twelve colors this vest is perfect for layering, or even just as a work-pillow for y our desk. Available for purchase at Uniqlo stores and online at Uniqlo.com.
  • Kyte & Key Cabelet ($69.99): Never find yourself with a dead phone again. This leather-braided, stainless-steel-clasped, orange bracelet is a stylish way to keep your iPhone or android charger with you at all times, just don’t take it in the shower! Available for purchase online at Kyte&Key.com.
  • AG Adriano Goldschmied Matchbox Slim Straight Jeans ($182): This pair of deep-dyed colored denim is a great staple item to dress up for work or—depending on your day—down for drinks after. Available for purchase at AG boutiques and select retailers.
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition ($549.99/16 GB- $599.99/32 GB): Elegantly designed and 10.1 inches in length, this LCD tablet updates Samsung’s android-based devices with a newly enhanced S Pen, allowing for a new easy-to-use interface, handwriting-to-text capabilities, multi-window functionality and much more. Available for purchase at Samsung retailers and online at Samsung.com.
  • adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony OC Pro Model Bball Sneakers ($185): A fun, creative spin (no pun intended) on the iconic basketball high-tops, these paisley printed shoes will bring a jump of playful athleticism to your everyday. Available for purchase at Opening Ceremony and adidas Originals stores.
  • 11. RetroSuperFuture Classic Black Sunglasses ($147.50): Hand made Italian glasses with Zeiss lenses, these hip shades are perfect for everyone from the dot com millionaire to the design intern. Available for purchase at RetroSuperFuture retailers and online at RetroSuperFuture.com
  • Vince Pull Over Hoodie ($125): This 100% cotton, aqua-washed hoodie is the most comfortable option to wear to toss around some ideas at a late night brainstorm, or maybe just a quick nap—your choice. Available for purchase at Vince retailers and online at ScoopNYC.com.
  • WeWork Membership (Starting at $45/month): WeWork offers beautifully designed workspaces for freelancers and small business in several locations in New York City, San Francisco and LA, in addition to the usual office infrastructure (internet, fax, phone) additional amenities include: organic coffee, craft beers, conference rooms, weekly events, and more. Membership plans available for purchase online at WeWork.com.

To alleviate some of the stress of holiday shopping—or even just to help kill time at work, For The Guy is a new weekly column where we’ll be sharing our most favorite gift ideas for every possible guy you know. With products ranging from designer ready-to-wear to high-tech ready-to-plug-in devices, we hope you and your love ones enjoy these as much as we know we will! Hint, hint. 

Images courtesy of their respective brands.

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Google Glass to Embrace Music Services

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Google Glass is currently not available to consumers. Instead, the product is in a soft launch debut via “explorers” that you may have seen about town and thought: “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” (Mother Teresa). Today Google announced that its $1500 piece of wearable technology will get the music treatment with new features added before its launch.

When a user boots up Glass, it will now display a “listen to” amongst its standard voice controls like “take a picture” and “search for”. So you’ll call out “Courtney Love” or “Zeplin Song” and then stream it through Google’s media and apps hub instantly. This comes in addition to Sound Search, a feature first made available two months ago, allowing the user to identify a song that’s playing using voice recognition technology (think: Shazam).

“With these new features, we’re now building a great music experience on Glass, whether you’re a classical music professor, an acclaimed sound engineer and hip-hop producer, or someone who wants to listen to their favorite tunes anytime, anywhere,” Ed Sanders, Director of Marketing for Google Glass, said in a statement.

In addition, Google is introducing a set of earbuds specifically designed for Glass ($85). For now, only Google’s music services are available on Glass, however others are expected to roll out in the coming months.

Featured image courtesy of Google; article image courtesy of PatConnid.com. 

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Diane Von Furstenberg First In Hot Seat For CFDA / Google+ Collab

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With the holiday season right around the corner-ish, a new style-minded app is launching next Thursday, Oct 3rd, and Diane Von Furstenberg will be on (virtual) hand to shepherd it’s arrival. The CFDA, of which Furstenberg is proudly the Prez, has been working with Google+ on an innovative way to to take designer/customer engagement to the next level, and so they’ve created a new, unique platform altogether. Within the new shopping app for Hangouts On Air (HOA), a designer or retailer broadcasts a multi-person video chat about their products while customers browse curated selections of products available exclusively for purchase online.

“I have always been about dialogue and this is a fabulous way to communicate with your customer!” said DVF. But this is no one-trick,-fresh-out-the-gate-before-falling-to-the-back pony, as Furstenberg is only the first of a slew of notable collaborations in the digi-pipeline. Future collabs include Marcus Wainwright and David Neville of rag & bone, Rebecca Minkoff, and Rachel Zoe, with more expected to continue to rollout. For more info, check out the video below, or click here.