Google introduced the first smart glass known as Google Glass in 2012 with limited circulation for developers. Due to the steep prices, nerdy looks, and privacy concerns, Google Glass, which was available in limited quantities, was pulled out of the market earlier this year. Now Google Glass has resurfaced through Google’s new initiative “Glass at Work” and is officially called Google Glass Enterprise Edition according to reports by the Wall Street Journal and 9to5Google.com.
Google Glass Enterprise Edition is created to clip over existing glasses. Some of the features that have been improved over the prior version include improved wireless connectivity, better battery life, and a faster Intel processor. Also an external battery pack is being developed for these glasses. Google believes that concerns around the look for the glasses and privacy would be less in office environment and will be seen by individuals as yet another piece of required equipment to increase work efficiency much similar to headsets being used for conference calls etc. The company will be working with developers to create a suite of apps specific to Google Glass Enterprise Edition. Developers’ guidelines are available along with the Glass Development Kit. Google is targeting companies in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and food service sectors as the initial markets for these glasses. Initial trials of these glasses have been done by Taco Bell to help employees arrange menu items and by surgeons and field technicians. Release date for these has been set for sometime this fall and the pricing information is not available as yet.
The success of Google Glass Enterprise edition will depend on importance and usefulness of its applications, privacy concerns, work force productivity, and price the companies and individuals will be willing to pay.
