The Google Glass Makes A Comeback – For Businesses Only

Google Glass is making a comeback after Google virtually discontinued the device back in 2015. But don’t expect to see it in regular tech shops because this time Google is partnering with businesses instead.

Back in 2013 when the Glass was launched, its wearers were often derided sometimes as rude because you see, the Glass is not just a fashion addition but a computer on your face. So imagine having a great dinner with friends and all of a sudden you start laughing when no one actually made a joke at the table, you’ll actually come out as a “Glasshole” (which is something they have been called in the past). That said, other users say they can’t just wear their $1,500 on their face seeing as it could easily be stolen but maybe this could be one of the reasons Google now thinks the device is better off sold as an enterprise device.

In a blog post by Jay Kothari who is the project lead on Medium, he said

“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 we’ve spent the last two years working closely with a network of more than 30 expert partners to build customized software and business solutions for Glass for people in these fields. We’ve also made improvements to the design and hardware so that it’s lightweight and comfortable for long term wear. We’ve increased the power and battery life too.”

He gave examples of companies like GE Aviation which have started using the improved device for training their engineers onsite. The latest device according to him features an improved battery life, Glass to Glass connectivity, and improved camera. Perhaps the most practical achievement was that the Glass had indeed increased DHL package efficiency by 15 percent. DHL employees “now receive real-time instructions about where items have to be placed on the carts with the help of visual aids. With their hands now free of paper instructions, pickers can work far more efficiently and comfortably” says Kothari.

Augmented Reality (AR) glasses are becoming a real thing which means since Google left the market, a lot has changed and one of the changes is that there are now perhaps more sophisticated devices out there. An example would be Microsoft’s $3,000 HoloLens and Epson among others. The other challenge is that the original team is no more and even when Google put the division under Tony Fadell (Nest electronics founder and Nest was bought by Google for $3.2b), he too left Google just a year later.