Despite high hopes, Alphabet Inc.‘s GOOG GOOGL Google Glass Enterprise project has ended, leaving many wondering what went wrong with this augmented reality technology.
What Happened: On Wednesday, Google announced that it halted sales of its Glass Enterprise smart glasses and planned to discontinue its software support on Sept. 15.
See Also: Cathie Wood ‘Frustrated’ With Google Search: Why Microsoft ChatGPT Is ‘iPhone Moment Of This Decade’
Initially released in 2013 for $1,500, Google Glass was a lightweight wearable device with a transparent display to show users small bits of information, reported CNBC.
However, the product’s built-in camera caused privacy concerns and the device never caught on as a mainstream consumer product, eventually leading Google to position it as a tool for enterprises.
In 2019, Google released its latest hardware version for $999.
Google did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Why It’s Important: Google’s decision to retreat comes at a time when competitors such as Apple Inc. AAPL and Meta Platforms Inc. META are investing in augmented and virtual reality.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly revealed his aspirations for a Google Glass-like final form for the company’s smart glasses product line. The company has already released a Ray-Ban smart glasses product that features a camera but no display, the report noted.
Check out more of Benzinga’s Consumer Tech coverage by following this link.
Read Next: Ethics or Profit? Microsoft’s Layoffs Reportedly Target AI Team Amid Google Rivalry
Be First to Comment