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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Tech News > Google Glass 'graduates' from Google X, team reports to Tony Fadell

Google Glass 'graduates' from Google X, team reports to Tony Fadell
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NewsPoster
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Jan 15, 2015, 04:58 PM
 
Google is putting its Glass Explorer Program to an end, the search company has declared. The head-mounted wearable device is said to be "graduating" from the experimental Google X labs, with sales of the Glass Explorer Edition headset ending early next week, though the company claims the technology is far from ending completely; it said the Glass program will gain its own official Google team.

Fortune reports that the team will be reporting to Nest's Tony Fadell, though it will not form part of the Nest team, with current lead Ivy Ross continuing to manage the day-to-day operations.



In a blog post, the Glass team thanks the buyers of the Explorer Edition in what it called the "open beta." "Glass was in its infancy, and you took those very first steps and taught us how to walk. Well, we still have some work to do, but now we're ready to put on our big kid shoes and learn how to run."

As to be expected, the post confirms it will continue to work on new versions of Glass, and will reveal them "when they're ready," though there is no clue as to when this will be. Critics have said that Glass may have been relegated to Google's notorious "eternal beta" stage, or might be being put out to pasture until the technology is significantly improved. While of interest to tech boffins, the project was hampered by negative public reaction to the recording technology integrated into the device and some "Big Brother" perceptions.

The Glass Explorer Program will end on January 19, with people able to continue buying the headwear for $1,500 while stock remains. Current users will still be able to use their devices, and though the Glass team will still exist, it is unclear how much more support customers will receive after it has been pulled from sale.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Jan 16, 2015 at 06:50 AM. )
     
climacs
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Jan 15, 2015, 05:35 PM
 
PRspeak for "we're killing it".
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Jan 15, 2015, 06:21 PM
 
I don't think so. I think this will see a retail release in the next six months.
     
Charles Martin
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Jan 15, 2015, 10:27 PM
 
I smell an office betting pool emerging.
Charles Martin
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just a poster
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Jan 16, 2015, 01:09 AM
 
It's kinda cool how it offloads a lot of processing to a remote server via the web, but the hardware is junk. I respect the thought going into the screen, but it is placed unergonomically for the eye, the OS is very basic, the camera your basic cellphone stuff (and controversial), and the connectivity is a bluetooth chip requiring a separate a cellular device. Anybody who paid $1500 for that is more than a few beers short of a case. I hope they got their money's worth with their glass toy, I know I couldn't.
     
coffeetime
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Jan 16, 2015, 01:31 PM
 
I bet you this thing will be a flop after it's on retail store. Probably on virtual store only because no retail wants to risk selling this. It will belong in the museum after 1 year.
     
pairof9s
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Jan 16, 2015, 02:06 PM
 
Usually the tell-tale sign that you have a hit on your hands is when competitive copycats come out. Has anyone seen Google Glass knock-offs..after 3 years?
     
   
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