Google Launches New $999 Glass AR Headset for Enterprise Customers

[MacRumors]

Google today announced the launch of a new enterprise-focused Google Glass headset, the Glass Enterprise Edition 2.

The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 looks more like a traditional pair of glasses than a futuristic headset thanks to safety frames designed in partnership with Smith Optics, but for those who don't need safety glasses features, there's also a standard version that looks like the original.

Both versions feature a 640 x 380 Optical Display Module that displays augmented reality content over the real world view, while also offering up a smart voice assistant for getting tasks done.

Inside, there's an updated, faster Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 processor, an improved 8-megapixel camera, USB-C port for faster charging, and a larger battery.

Google says the Snapdragon XR1 features a significantly more powerful multicore CPU and a new artificial intelligence engine for "significant power savings," improved performance, and support for computer vision and more advanced machine learning capabilities.

Google Glass 2 runs Android Oreo, which is meant to make it easier for businesses to develop for and deploy.

The new version of Google Glass is priced at $999, down from $1,599 for the original version, and like the prior Enterprise Glass option, it is not available directly to consumers.

Google originally released Google Glass in 2013 as a mass market product, but it wasn't well-received due to privacy and functionality concerns. Google then relaunched it as an Enterprise product for businesses in 2017, with the redesigned version available as of today.

Apple is rumored to be working on its own augmented reality smart glasses, which could be somewhat similar in design to Google's version. Apple has had AR smart glasses in development for several years now, and rumors have suggested we could see a launch in 2020.

Article Link: Google Launches New $999 Glass AR Headset for Enterprise Customers

 

[yossi]

they're really doubling down on this nonsense

 

[Baymowe335]

Another hardware failure from Google.

 

[nyfliiboy]

It was cool when i had the original one but for real world use it was BS. Battery life was the worst and not to mention my vision had just started to fade so I couldnt really use it.

 

[DaveN]

Yeah! The glasshole product returns!

 

[Ankit1088]

O...so this is happening again...

 

[peteyD]

Privacy features provided by Huawei?

 

[justperry]

Do they have a left version for people with (Right eye) Amblyopia?!

 

[JM]

Nothing will be stylish with that Borg cube attached.

 

[rpat701]

Have they actually found a problem to solve in the enterprise with AR? Because from every use case I've seen there are better/cheaper/faster way of solving those problems now. AR is sexy tech looking for a problem to solve.

 

[rom3o]

AR has great potential in manufacturing and logistics (and probably other fields as well, but this is where I come from). Hence it is a product for enterprise customers, it’s literally in the headline of the article.

 

[MrGimper]

Oh, this is still a thing? I thought it went the way of AirPower, except people gave a toss when AirPower was canned.

 

[Sasparilla]

They've been selling these things as a enterprise piece of hardware and this is the 3rd revision since the original (non enterprise focused piece of hardware). Its been doing good enough for them apparently or they would have killed it off.

Someone else pointed out the Glass folks have been brought back into Google proper where the other Google AR folks reside. Longer term I expect them to be there if/when Apple makes an AR glass play. JMHO..

 

[alexandr]

so is apple working on a similar product for gaming purposes, or are they aiming for the "pro" market?

 

[flat five]

i would use those

(assuming the accompanying software is up to par or suits my needs.. like display blueprints or cut lists etc)

 

[kaycrystal626]

So expensive. I rather get an Oculus Quest!

 

[CarpalMac]

People moan about folding screens, claiming that nobody asked for it.

They really should focus that sentiment on this garbage. Seriously in my office if someone walked around with these on the HR department would have to hire extra staff. People would be irate and understandably so.

 

[coolfactor]

People can bash this all day long, but that's a shallow perspective. What they fail to realize is how this type of development moves the needle forward. Technology improves, lessons are learned, and one day, the world will be a better place as a result. So, bash all you want, but let's be thankful that Google is "wasting their time on this". 10 years from now, you won't see it that way.

 

[B4U]

Reminds me of DragonBall Z.

 

[AZMecha]

Hmmm Can I order a pair from Warby Parker and also get transition lenses too??????

 

[JetTester]

Great! So now not targeting consumers, only the corporate guys will be able to use them to steal company secrets. Nice to see it limited to stuff that will make somebody money, instead of just creeps on the loose.

 

[blcamp]

Glassholes, stay the eff away from me with that Barnyard Substance.

 

[mi7chy]

Because of dumbsumers the rest of us don't get nice things since this is now sold to enterprise only. This hands-free HUD tool which is less bulky and more affordable than HoloLens 2 would be useful for a lot of consumer applications such as learning, car repairs, electronic maker hobby, cooking, etc.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Nothing will be stylish with that Borg cube attached.

Oh now come on, as a fan of the Borg, that's just not fair. Borg Cubes are pretty, especially tactical Borg cubes. This thing is just an abomination.

<cough>.

 

[Ghost31]

My first instinct hearing this: they hear internal rumblings at apple about them being close to production for THEIR ar headset so they want to get ahead of them

...won’t work