Google failed to Kill Glass, it is simply Making It Sexier

For the entire Jetsonian innovation packed into Google Glass, the product simply couldn’t are living down its most glaring flaw: the dork issue. for regular folks, the mere concept of a face computer is a creepy nonstarter. To Google, it is concluded Glass’s stigma is just a model drawback.

Investing in this hypothesis, Google is teaming up with Italian eyewear massive Luxxotica to build the next generation of Glass, consistent with Fortune. whereas most of the people have by no means heard of the massive eyewear firm, they no doubt be aware of the brands it produces for—everyone from Ray-Ban to Oakley to Prada. Glass is not being run by using the geeks inside of Google X analysis lab; it is now being handled by Nest CEO and Apple vet Tony Fadell. Can the engine behind the arena’s biggest eyeglass brands de-dorkify wearable tech’s most ambitious product?

With this partnership, Google seems to be taking a page from Apple’s playbook. ahead of Cupertino’s first foray into wearables started transport this week, Apple went to great lengths to craft a product that might be seen as fashionable, relatively than just pumping out some other system. actually, some speculate that the Apple Watch isn’t called the iWatch simply since the company desires to invoke style sooner than know-how, despite the fact that it’s essentially a souped-up iPod Nano strapped to your wrist. If pre-orders and early press are any indication, this type-delicate angling is paying off for Apple.

It is sensible: as soon as know-how turns into wearable, it may possibly turn out to be a barrier between a person and those around them. These gadgets need to seem to be extra like equipment we might buy in a boutique than the computers they’re inhabiting. With the primary version of Glass, Google let its engineering sensibility dominate, emphasizing its technical feats. which is all neatly and just right except any individual displays as much as your birthday celebration wearing a digital camera-geared up pc on their face, looking like a robot.

This isn’t the primary time Google’s dabbled with the fashionista set. In contemporary years, it ran a restricted-adaptation collaboration with DVF and regarded in a 12-page Vogue unfold. This time round Google will attempt to mitigate its challenges thru design. however, 1/2 the struggle right here may not be hardware finally, however advertising and marketing different behavior. possibly smart glasses just don’t seem to be something we should wear in each scenario? What might be nice for perusing an artwork gallery or performing surgical operation may no longer be top for a primary date. even though they occur to be Google Glass camouflaged as Ray-Bans.