Google Glass Sale Suspended & Transferred To Nest Team
Google has decided to change the way it is approaching the Google Glass project via its Glass Explorer program partly due to the ongoing issues with privacy in public venues where the glasses have been banned and other concerns surrounding the technology.
The project isn't being entirely mothballed however. Instead, it is being given its own separate business unit which will be overseen by Tony Fadell who is responsible for the Google Nest business unit.
Wearables Remain A Huge Opportunity
Rather than being killed off like so many other early experimental Google projects, here Google remains committed to urging developers to create new, interesting apps for the wearable technology. After all, wearables are going to continue to grow in 2015 with many brands getting into some type of wearable technology from Apple with its Apple Watch to Lenovo's VIBE Band VB10 to Samsung's Gear range. So wearables in one fashion or another are not going out of style any time soon.
Move to Nest
The switch to move the project over to the Nest team is an interesting one. Much is being done presently with Nest to add hardware partners at a rapid clip that produce everything from light bulbs to HD voice calling systems and integrate them into the smart home concept. Other companies like Belkin are not far behind and pursuing their own avenues into home automation via their own Internet of Things WeMo range of devices.
Technology Needed A Restart Anyway
The technology behind Google Glass had become somewhat outdated anyway because new features have moved beyond what the Explorer program put out on the market two years ago. Software updates for Glass 1.0 stopped being released a few months back. Clearly Google were already considering their options and perhaps waiting to see how well Nest would be received in the interim before deciding what action to take. Now they know and a change was made.
Google's recent co-investment with other technology companies like Qualcomm in a secretive startup, Magic Leap, is also interesting because it is focused around augmented-reality technology which is based more on hand movements than screen technology. So this could play a factor later too.
Next Version of Google Glass
Is highly likely that a rebooted version of Glass will appear at a later date with a new approach on the marketing side, a redesigned appearance, and new technical abilities.
The move for Glass to now come under the purview of the Nest boss suggests that Google sees a way to integrate home management into a the wearable technology where the user can see a visual screen in their vision as well as issue voice commands without even needing to pick up a smart phone or tablet to do so. This would open up many new possibilities for home owners and developers as well.
Due of this possibility the device could be re-targeted to users of Nest who want to control their home and its intelligent devices more easily. Being able to do so while keeping your focus on getting the kids ready for school and yourself hurriedly dressed for work has its perks for busy parents many of whom would see the benefit of the Google Glass + Nest marriage.
