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Display Notifications on Google Glass Android Apps Using Kotlin

#googleglass #android #kotlin #androiddev


Notifications are one of the most important features of wearable applications. On Google Glass, notifications allow users to receive important information without checking a smartphone or stopping their current task.

Hands-free notifications are especially useful in industries such as healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and field services.

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create and display notifications in a Google Glass Android application using Kotlin.

Why Use Notifications on Google Glass?

Google Glass notifications help users:

  • Receive real-time updates
  • Follow work instructions
  • Monitor alerts
  • View task progress
  • Get reminders without using their hands

Common examples:

  • "Inspection completed"
  • "New task assigned"
  • "Battery level is low"
  • "Emergency alert received"

Prerequisites

Before starting, you need:

  • Android Studio
  • Kotlin knowledge
  • Google Glass device or Android-based smart glasses
  • Basic Android notification knowledge

Step 1: Add Notification Permission

For Android 13 and newer devices, add notification permission in your AndroidManifest.xml.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS"/>
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Request permission from the user before sending notifications.

Step 2: Create a Notification Channel

Android requires notification channels for modern applications.

private fun createNotificationChannel() {

    val channel = NotificationChannel(
        "glass_channel",
        "Glass Notifications",
        NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_DEFAULT
    )

    val manager = getSystemService(
        NotificationManager::class.java
    )

    manager.createNotificationChannel(channel)
}
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Create the channel when your application starts.

Step 3: Display a Notification

Now create a notification message.

private fun showNotification() {

    val notification = NotificationCompat.Builder(
        this,
        "glass_channel"
    )
        .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_notification)
        .setContentTitle("Task Update")
        .setContentText("Your inspection is completed")
        .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_HIGH)
        .build()


    NotificationManagerCompat.from(this)
        .notify(1, notification)
}
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When triggered, the notification will appear on your Google Glass display.

Step 4: Add User Actions

Notifications can include actions that allow users to respond quickly.

Example:

  • Accept task
  • Open details
  • Mark completed
  • Start navigation

This reduces the need for touch interaction.

Designing Notifications for Smart Glasses

Google Glass has a smaller display compared to smartphones. Follow these practices:

Keep Messages Short

Avoid long text.

Good:

New inspection assigned
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Avoid:

You have received a new inspection request from the maintenance department. Please review all details before starting.
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Use Clear Information

Show only important details:

  • Task name
  • Status
  • Priority
  • Required action

Avoid Too Many Notifications

Excessive alerts reduce usability. Send notifications only when they provide value.

Real-World Use Cases

Google Glass notifications are useful for:

Healthcare

Doctors and nurses can receive patient updates while keeping their hands free.

Manufacturing

Workers can receive equipment alerts and maintenance instructions.

Logistics

Warehouse employees can get picking tasks and delivery updates.

Remote Assistance

Technicians can receive instructions from experts remotely.

Improving Notification Experience

For enterprise Google Glass applications:

  • Use priority-based notifications.
  • Combine notifications when possible.
  • Support offline notifications.
  • Provide voice interaction with alerts.
  • Optimize battery usage.

Conclusion

Notifications make Google Glass applications more practical by delivering important information directly to the user's field of view.

Using Android notification APIs with Kotlin, developers can build powerful hands-free experiences for enterprise workflows, smart glasses, and wearable applications.

In future tutorials, you can extend this functionality by adding voice-controlled notifications, camera integration, and real-time communication using WebSockets or Firebase Cloud Messaging.


SDK Flutter: https://github.com/v-modal/vmodal_sdk_flutter
SDK Android: https://github.com/v-modal/vmodal_sdk_android
Discord: https://discord.gg/K72z28KUx

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