Google’s Most Controversial Product Is Making a Comeback
Google’s Most Controversial Product Is Making a Comeback
2 minute read
A student wears Google Glass at the 2014 New York University graduation ceremony at Yankee Stadium on May 21, 2014 in the Bronx borough of New York City.Andrew Burton—Getty Images
After retiring Google Glass in January, Google is softly pitching a new version of the face computer for use in the workplace.
Google is aiming to get the new version of Glass in the hands of professionals in the healthcare, manufacturing and energy industries by this fall, the Wall Street Journal reports. The new business-oriented Glass has improved battery life, a faster processor and a more rugged, foldable design.
Google Glass was first introduced on a limited basis in 2013 as a headset sporting a tiny screen that overlaid graphics in a wearer’s field of view. It also came with a camera, which raised privacy concerns about the device, even causing some bars and restaurants to enact “No Glass” policies. Google eventually ended the initial Glass program without releasing a full-bore consumer product.
See Which Celebrities Love Google Glass
Prince Charles tries on 'Google Glass' spectacles as he visits 'Innovation Alley' in Winnipeg, Canada on May 21, 2014. Chris Jackson—Getty ImagesMichele Bachmann tries Google Glass after leaving a meeting of the Republican Party Caucus on Capitol Hill on May 15, 2013. Michael Mathes—AFP/Getty ImagesSavannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer appear on NBC News' "Today" show on April 30, 2013.Peter Kramer—NBC NewsWire/Getty ImagesFlorida State wide receiver Kenny Shaw, left, helps quarterback Jameis Winston don a pair of Google Glasses during the BCS Championship Game Media Day at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel Spa in Newport Beach, Calif. on Jan. 4, 2014.Stephen M. Dowell—MCT/Getty ImagesSergey Brin, co-founder of Google Inc., stands for a photograph while wearing Project Glass internet glasses at the Diane Von Furstenberg fashion show in New York, N.Y., on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. Bloomberg/Getty ImagesCarson Daly appears on NBC News' "Today" show on July 23, 2013.Peter Kramer—NBC NewsWire/Getty ImagesTV personality Kelly Osbourne attends the DoSomething.org and VH1's 2013 Do Something Awards at Avalon on July in Hollywood, Calif. 31, 2013.Michael Buckner—VH1/Getty ImagesActor Kunal Nayyar arrives at the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. in Los Angeles, Calif. on September 22, 2013.Frazer Harrison—Getty ImagesTV personality Rob Marciano attends the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on January 12, 2014.Jason Merritt—Getty ImagesA model walks the runway at the Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theatre at Lincoln Centerin New York, N.Y., on September 9, 2012 Victor Virgile—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Professional wrestler 'The Miz' arrives at WWE and E! Entertainment's "Superstars For Hope" at Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on August 15, 2013.Angela Weiss—Getty ImagesWide receiver Golden Tate of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media during Super Bowl XLVIII Media Day at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on January 28, 2014. Elsa—Getty Images
“The thing that we did not do well, that was closer to a failure, is that we allowed and sometimes encouraged too much attention to the program,” Google’s Astro Teller said in March about Google Glass’ lifespan.
Rebranding Glass as a workplace productivity tool rather than a consumer gadget could help Google sidestep privacy concerns. Still, the Journal reports that Google is working on a new consumer version of Glass.
