In what appears to be a systematic slap in the face, Google has just announced that it’s officially ending the sales of its Google Glass wearable. Early adopters —dubbed “explorers,” which is effectively marketing lingo for “beta-tester” — may be especially hard pressed after having dumped $1,500 of dollars in order to obtain a device which they believed would evolve into something more meaningful.
The ability to take pictures and videos on the fly, or view information and directions in a miniature glass hanging above their right eye, left many of these “explorers” feeling enamored by what they perceived as “street cred.” So much so was their arrogance that the term “glasshole” quickly arose as the general public grew increasingly suspicious and malcontent amidst the presence of Glass-wearers. Many restaurants and bars went as far as to instill dress codes barring the Google Glass. In many instances, fights even broke out.
One thing quickly became clear: the current iteration of the Google Glass wasn’t ready for public debut. It was far too absurd looking. Starting the week of January 19, 2015, Google will terminate the explorer program and stop taking orders on additional units, although the company assures us it will continue supporting companies that are already using the Glass.
So what’s next for the device?
Google insists it remains committed to launching the device as a consumer product, but not in the current form; the device must undergo a full revamp. The design of future Google wearables is shifting from the Google X division onto a new division led by Tony Fadell, the chief executive of Nest, the home automation business that Google acquired last year. Current team manager Ivy Ross remains.
Fadell stated “[the project] had broken ground and allowed us to learn what’s important to consumers and enterprises alike,” expressing excitement to be teaming up with the original Glass team.
Case in point, don’t shell out your own money to beta-test someone else’s product.
Source: Google
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