Google unveils new $999 smart glasses for businesses, undercutting Microsoft's HoloLens on price (2024)

Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2

Google

Google on Monday unveiled a Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, a new model of its Google Glass that's catered specifically to business uses.

Introduced in 2013 as one of the first augmented reality devices, Google Glass is a pair of eyeglasses that uses a tiny projector to beam computer-generated images into a user's eye, so they appear to "float" in front of the real world. The company has been targeting the enterprise for the past couple of years after its attempts to attract consumers failed with the original Google Glass, which was expensive and had a built-in camera which raised privacy concerns. The model targeted toward consumers was discontinued in 2015.

Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 runs on a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 platform which Google says will provide longer battery life. Smith Optics is providing frames that look like regular glasses, too, which means the headset is less bulky than competitors like Microsoft's HoloLens and the glasses from start-up Magic Leap.

The new glasses cost $999, but that price may be lower for some firms depending on the business and contracts with Google. That's far less than Microsoft's HoloLens 2, which is also used by businesses and even the U.S. military, but starts at $3,500.

Microsoft's new solution, unveiled in February, is more powerful than Google Glass and overlays information on top of the real world that users can view through both eyes. Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, like the first model, only has a small projector that sits in front of one eye.

Google's new glasses, built on Android, will be easier than the first model for businesses to give to employees because they now support mobile device management, which is used to configure devices with apps and services, like phones and tablets, and control how employees use them — for example, disabling them if the employee loses them.

Google said Glass is used in logistics, manufacturing and field services industries by firms including H.B Fuller, Sutter Health, Deutsche Post DHL Group and AGCO.

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Google unveils new $999 smart glasses for businesses, undercutting Microsoft's HoloLens on price (2024)

FAQs

Google unveils new $999 smart glasses for businesses, undercutting Microsoft's HoloLens on price? ›

The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 costs $999, although, like its predecessor, it's not being sold directly to consumers. It's got a new processor, an improved camera, a USB-C port for faster charging, and a variety of other updates. Google still isn't positioning Glass as a mainstream product.

What happened to Google smart glasses? ›

Google Glass is now officially dead: Why did the 'innovative' product fail? Google on Wednesday announced that it has stopped selling its Glass Enterprise smart glasses, adding that it will also stop supporting its software on September 15. The move brings an end to a product that was first sold back in 2013.

How much are Google smart glasses? ›

Remember Google Glass? It looks like the smart glasses line is finally dying out. On Wednesday, Google announced it's discontinuing the enterprise edition of the product, which had been retailing for $999. The company has updated the Glass Enterprise website to say product sales have ended.

What is the price of Google AI glasses? ›

Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 Development Kit Smart Glasses - 32 Gb at Rs 109999/piece | New Items in Jaipur | ID: 24970283055.

Why did Google glasses fail? ›

Would users be comfortable wearing a camera around their faces every day? Some bars and restaurants barred wearers from entry; several simply banned the device altogether. Other reasons that Google Glass failed to prosper include: Google Glass was marketed as a luxury item with a high price.

Why are Google glasses so expensive? ›

These include engineering and platform development costs, as well as costs for software, licensing, and royalties. "When you buy Google Glass for $1,500, you are getting far, far more than just $152.47 in parts and manufacturing," said Andrew Rassweiler, a senior director at IHS, in a press release.

Why are smart glasses not popular? ›

Smart glasses ultimately did not gain momentum in the consumer market due to their lack of usability, high price point, and privacy issues. Also, consumers just did not want to wear clunky tech devices on their faces, which they felt did not offer them much value.

Can I still buy Google glasses? ›

As of March 15, 2023, we will no longer sell Glass Enterprise Edition. We will continue supporting Glass Enterprise Edition as described in the FAQs below until September 15, 2023.

Are the Google glasses real? ›

Google Glass, or simply Glass, was a brand of smart glasses developed and sold by Google. It was developed by X (previously Google X), with the mission of producing a ubiquitous computer. Google Glass displays information to the wearer using a head-up display.

How good are Google glasses? ›

TechRadar Verdict

Its hands-free picture-taking and head-tracking navigation were visions of our future, and Google Now alerts were put to good use here. But its everyday uses were limited and privacy remained a concern. Not everyone got their money's worth from this one-of-a-kind, discontinued novelty.

Is Google vision AI free? ›

Ready-to-use Vision AI

Each feature you apply to an image is a billable unit—Cloud Vision API lets you use 1,000 units of its features for free every month. See pricing details.

What is the battery life of Google Glass? ›

One day of typical use. Some features, like video recording, are more battery intensive.

Will Google AI be free? ›

Google announced Wednesday that it will make some of its artificial intelligence models available to outside developers. The Gemma models are available to businesses as well as individuals and are free, the company said in a blog post.

What are the disadvantages of Google Glass? ›

The Drawbacks of Google Glass

Even Sitting: Because the glasses are weighted to one side, it does not take long for them to become uneven and start leaning one way very quickly. In fact, Google Glass does not last very long at an even state and will require continual fiddling to correct.

Why did Google stop selling Google Glass? ›

Considering its high price, Google Glass didn't offer much in terms of functionality, resulting in a lack of appeal to potential consumers.

What are the major risks associated with Google Glass? ›

What Are the Health Risks of Wearing Google Glass? Wearing heads-up displays such as Google Glass can contribute to eye fatigue and may cause visual confusion, according to ophthalmologist and entrepreneur Sina Fateh, who has filed more than 30 patents related to heads-up displays.

Are Google glasses discontinued? ›

On January 15, 2015, Google announced that it would stop producing the Google Glass prototype. The prototype was succeeded by two Enterprise Editions, whose sales were suspended on March 15, 2023.

Are Google glasses still available? ›

Sales ceased on March 15, and support ends on September 15, Google says. No further software updates are planned, but the end-of-support date is the deadline after which Google will no longer replace damaged devices.

Can I still use Google glasses? ›

After September 15, 2023, you will continue to be able to use the Glass Enterprise Edition device and existing software. No software updates from Google are planned.

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