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Replace: Google tells TechCrunch that it stays dedicated to augmented actuality, stating, “For years, we’ve been constructing AR into many Google merchandise and we’ll proceed to have a look at methods to deliver new, modern AR experiences throughout our product portfolio.”
I do know at the least one TC staffer who’s gutted by the inevitable second loss of life of Google Glass. I received’t name them out by identify, however will say that I empathize with seeing a tech big reverse the truck to drive over a beloved piece of know-how as soon as once more. Is it potential to be forward of your time twice? Or do you must admit at a sure level that yours is an alternate timeline?
Right here’s what we all know for certain: The world nonetheless wasn’t prepared for Glass, even after a product makeover and shift in focus. Google confirmed plans to as soon as once more finish assist for its misunderstood little bit of AR tech, writing:
Thanks for over a decade of innovation and partnership. As of March 15, 2023, we are going to not promote Glass Enterprise Version. We’ll proceed supporting Glass Enterprise Version till September 15, 2023.
Not a wholly interrupted decade, after all. Glass celebrated its tenth anniversary final month. The unique developer model of the head-worn show launched in February 2013, starting its Glass Explorers program two months later and at last opening issues as much as the general public in Could 2014. Parodies ensued. Lower than a 12 months later, it introduced that former Apple designer and Nest co-founder Tony Fadell was engaged on a follow-up.
Google Glass disappeared for a bit in 2015, thanking Explorers for enjoying alongside. Rumors of its loss of life had apparently been a bit exaggerated — or at the least untimely. Particularly, Google Glass was shifting its focus to the enterprise. Actually, that’s one other approach the product line was forward of its time. HoloLens launched a 12 months later from Microsoft, with enterprise as its central thesis. And nowadays, of us like Meta, HTC and Magic Leap see the class as a saving grace on the best way to mainstreaming AR/VR/MR.
Is smart. You stand to make some huge cash promoting these merchandise to companies in bulk. And IT departments are sometimes prepared to shell out extra for merchandise than your common shopper. A second enterprise version arrived in 2019 with some modest upgrades.
The timing and the seeming finality of this announcement are fascinating. A lot of the business is ready to see what Apple delivers later this 12 months with its rumored combined actuality headset. In fact, Google has been rumored to be engaged on a brand new AR product beneath the codename Venture Iris. In accordance with a report from early final 12 months:
Early prototypes being developed at a facility within the San Francisco Bay Space resemble a pair of ski goggles and don’t require a tethered connection to an exterior energy supply.
The product would presumably be a extra direct competitor to the present crop of XR merchandise, together with Apple. Google has additionally had its personal checkered previous with VR merchandise, together with Cardboard and Daydream. The latter was discontinued in 2019, the previous lastly finish of lifing in 2021.
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