GOOGLE GLASS IS making a comeback, but instead of treating it as a gadget for the general public, it’s being pitched towards businesses.
The company is distributing a new version of its wearable devices to industries like health care, manufacturing and energy, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Unlike the original version, the new version doesn’t include a wire-like frame to hold the device together. Instead it has a button and hinge system to attach the mini-computer to different glasses.
According to Re/Code, specific details about pricing or timing for the next version hasn’t been revealed yet but it’s expected to come in well below the original price tag of $1,500 (€1,370) to stay competitive with rival products.
Google Glass was retired back in January when it closed its Explorer programme. It stopped taking orders for the device but supported companies that were using it.
At the time, the team said it was “continuing to build for the future, and you’ll start to see future versions of Glass when they’re ready. (For now, no peeking).”
The Glass team moved to the Nest division where it answered to its CEO and co-founder, Tony Fadell.
The focus for Glass is to bring augmented reality services to businesses, a turnaround from its original goal of becoming a consumer device when it was first revealed back in 2012.
When it was first revealed, the device sparked concerns about privacy since users could take photos or record video without people noticing. It’s believed that the new version won’t have the same security concerns since it’ll be designed for private workplaces instead of being used in public.
The new version, according to 9to5Google, can fold up like a traditional pair of glasses and has a more rugged build and appearance. Like previous versions, a small prism sits in front of the right eye where information is displayed, but it is more water resistant, with fewer places for water and other material to seep in.
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