Although certain areas of the tech world seem drunk with excitement about Google’s Glass project, there remain plenty of questions regarding the device’s viability as a consumer product. Price, for example, is one area that could make-or-break this emerging technology once it enters the end-user later this year, but cost alone is not the only hurdle. Those accustomed to wearing normal, prescription lenses cannot comfortably utilize Glass due to its lack of support for those in need of visual aids, but today, those in ownership of the beta Explorer Edition (v2 only) can select from one of four different styles of prescription lens made available by Google for an additional $225.
Although spectacles serve a practical purpose in enabling users to improve their vision, they’re also something of a fashion accessory, and with this in mind, Google’s designs for Glass do look in-keeping with what one may find at a premium opticians. Comprised of titanium, the four different options include Curve, Thin, Split, Bold, and all pretty self-explanatory. With Rochester Optical busily tailoring different frames for the consumer market, there should be plenty of choice by the time Glass launches – whether you happen to be short-sighted or have 20-20 vision.
Google certainly isn’t done as far as prescription lenses go, either. We’re anticipating more launches like today’s during the next few months, although this titanium-built range does look as though it will be among the premier in-house offerings from the Big G. Classy and minimal, the titanium selection looks to downplay the fact that the wearer has a computer attached to their face, but due to its size at this stage, Glass is still quite obvious no matter how it’s worn.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what some of the well-known eye wear brands make of Glass, and whether they’ll decide to get involved once things begin to take off. The likes of Oakley and Ray Ban are well known across the world for their premium products, but if any of these fashionable companies are to buy into Project Glass, the act of wearing the device in public must be de-stigmatized.
Because at this point, while Glass certainly has a “cool factor,” it’s hard to determine whether this extends to wearing it in public.
The shades and frames are available starting today. More info can be found at google.com/glass
(Source: Google+)
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