Google Glass Resurrects as an Enterprise Edition
A new chapter for Google Glass is a reality. After two years in a limited program, Glass Enterprise Edition is now available to more businesses.
Glass, as you might remember, is a very small wearable computer with a transparent display that brings information into your line of sight. In a work setting, you can clip it onto glasses or industry frames like safety goggles so you don't have to switch focus between what you're doing with your hands and the content you need to see to do your job.
Workers in many fields, like manufacturing, logistics, field services, and healthcare find it useful to consult a wearable device for information and other resources while their hands are busy. That's why Google spent the last two years working with a network of more than 30 expert partners to build customized software and business solutions for Glass for people in these fields. Google has also made improvements to the design and hardware (8 megapixels camera, faster Wi-Fi, a new red light that turns on when recording video) so that it's lightweight and comfortable for long term wear. The company has increased the power and battery life too. The electronics of Glass have also been made modular in the shape of a so-called Glass Pod, which can be detached and reattached to any frame, including safety goggles and prescription glasses.
As for whether Glass will ever go on sale to the public again, don't count on it anytime soon. Still, the consumer Glass team -- which is separate from the Enterprise group -- is still alive and kicking. Meanwhile, Glass Enterprise Edition is "now available to more businesses through our network of expert partners," Alphabet says. There's no word on price.