Google not too long ago introduced that it will likely be formally discontinuing its Google Glass Enterprise Version (opens in new tab) AR headsets. Whereas lengthy out of the patron market, the extensively publicized wearable laptop/heads up show was nonetheless being provided for potential enterprise clients. “Thanks for over a decade of innovation and partnership,” Google wrote in its announcement. “As of March 15, 2023, we’ll now not promote Glass Enterprise Version. We’ll proceed supporting Glass Enterprise Version till September 15, 2023.”
In case you’re in any respect like me, you noticed this information and thought, “Wait, Google Glass wasn’t discontinued like, eight years in the past?” Seems it is had this prolonged second life for industrial and medical settings for a while since.
Again in 2013 Glass was one other shiny promise of the Google Future alongside Chrome, Fiber, and its help of Android OS. There was a much-publicized preliminary rollout of Glass headsets amongst tech journalists and fanatic influencers. Glass offered a heads-up show and will additionally snap footage, and in some methods prefigures smartphone-adjacent wearables just like the Apple Watch or extra superior Fitbits.
It was additionally peak tech man, like pre-“oh my god, these guys are rewiring our mind chemistry with pervasive reactive promoting” and extra within the midst of “Haha, this Silicon Valley present is fairly humorous, I hope they’re smarter than this in actual life.” This Penny Arcade (opens in new tab) strip from the time actually stands out in my thoughts, and as Ars Technica (opens in new tab) factors out, calling Glass-wearers “Glassholes” actually was a factor. Easier instances, and as Google is wont with merchandise like Reader or Stadia, client Glass was quietly shuffled off the stage in 2015.
That is the place Enterprise is available in, the wearable’s second act that is coming to a detailed. A 2015 Bloomberg (opens in new tab) article (readers might encounter a paywall) describes its potential use in a healthcare setting, whereas a 2017 publish on 9to5Google (opens in new tab) outlines the total specs of Enterprise. It does not appear to have caught on any higher right here than it did for private use.
So, Google Glass. Most of us most likely thought it was already lifeless anyway, however it’s considerably bittersweet nonetheless, a failed product as emblematic of its personal time because the Dreamcast, HD DVD, or Betamax. We’re dwelling in a Silicon Valley future anyway, akin to it’s, however Glass appeared to vow a extra enjoyable one the place all of us acquired to be Geordi La Forge. Additionally it is humorous that this implies Stadia’s total existence was bounded on each ends by Google Glass. The shuttered sport streaming service simply cannot catch a break.
