Google Glass will be released to the public 'in 2014', says Eric Schmidt
Summary: It appears that Google is still sticking to the timeframe for a general-release version of Glass that it set out at the project's genesis.
Consumers hoping to buy a set of Google's Glass networked spectacles will have to wait until 2014, according to Google chairman Eric Schmidt.
The first wave of Explorer Edition Glass headsets, began shipping to developers this week, but for those who missed out on the hardware's initial run, it looks like patience will be a virtue.
In an interview with the BBC this weekend, Schmidt said Google will probably be making some changes to the Explorer Edition before a final consumer release goes ahead in early 2014.
"Well, the developers are beginning now. It would be fair to say that there will be thousands of these in use by developers over the next months and based on their feedback we'll make some product changes and it's probably a year-ish away," he said.
The timeframe leaves some wiggle room on the final release date, but it suggests a generally-available version of the product will not be ready for consumers by the end of 2013, as Google had previously indicated.
Indeed, it appears to be closer to the timeframe Google co-founder Sergey Brin set when he first demonstrated Glass being used to capture a skydive in June 2012. At the time, Brin said he hoped to release the Explorer Edition in early 2013 and have a broad consumer offering available within a year from that point.
Schmidt did not discuss price for any general-release edition of Glass, although it's likely to cost less than the $1500 price tag on the Explorer Edition.
Google reportedly assembled the Explorer Edition at a Foxconn factory in California and, besides developers, it has only made Glass available to 8,000 competition winners in the US. However, it's not clear whether production will remain in the US in the longer term. Google was aiming for a consumer price range of $200 to $600, according to the New York Times, meaning a move to a lower-cost production centre is likely.
Asked about privacy implications of wearable technology, Schmidt said society will need to develop new social etiquette to accommodate it, similar to the way it has set rules for the appropriate usage of smartphones.
"In general, these kinds of body wearable devices will bring in a whole bunch of such concerns and the fact of the matter is we'll have to develop some new social etiquette. It's obviously not appropriate to wear these glasses in situations where recording is not correct. And indeed you have already these sorts of problems with phones," he told the BBC.
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Talkback
Privacy, safety and law
Will it be acceptable for the world to drive automobiles or fly airplanes or engineer a train while wearing glasses that let them browse the internet while simultaneously staring out at traffic, or oncoming children or vehicles with .25% of one's brain concentrating on the driving and not the website he or she is viewing ? No. Even with strong lobbying forces, these topics should be discussed before millions of individuals suddenly purchase google glass and put others at serious risk of harm.
We have laws in the US against texting while driving and use of a phone while driving. They'll need to be adapted at least. Thus why smartwatches are a more likely and adoptable medium for widespread and faster adoption rates in my opinion.
That's why Googl'es waiting until 2014 to realease them to the public
Headsup devices are safer than non-headsup devices
Automobile will be where most the apps will go to. App development for automobiles will be a gold mine for developers.
Not really the same.
There is also an issue with sensory overlaod, so HUD's on fighter aircraft are specific and display just specific info.
In Apache helicopter the IHADSS worn by the gunner is used for sighting targets as remember, this isn't the guy flying the helicopter.
HUD is used for pilots
You didn't read what I said
Trust me, I'm quite familiar with a HUD
Have you seen where in fighter aircraft like the F/A 18 where the Heads Up Display is? It isn't an inch in front of the pilot's eye on a eyepiece, it's in front of him, center, at the top of the control console, as with most aircraft.
So as you see, I made no mistake.
Where the technology is positioned changes the metrics dramatically.
I agree but...
PS - love listening to Eric Schmidt talk about Google's tax paying history in the UK. Sounds a lot like David Stockman's 'trickle down' economic theory. But when Liberals do it, it's magically noble and right. LOL!
Unless you have 20-20 vision you're required to were your glasses
Unless you're psychic driving without your Glass could be made illegal unless you're in a self driving car.!
I just have my Garman tell me, in clear English
I would hate to have that arrow pop up in one eye, lose my depth perception at a critical moment should the guy in front of me be slamming on his brakes!
It's going to come down to marketing
What is the inherent value of this product VERSUS the smartphone