Google Glass Available For Everyone In The United States

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Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced Wednesday that it’s once again making its Glass available to the U.S. consumers. But this time it’s not a limited-period offer. The search engine giant said the Glass will be on sale until the stock runs out. Now anybody in the U.S. willing to shell out $1,500 for the eyewear-based device can buy it. However, you can’t call it a “public launch” because the Mountain View-based company said the sale is part of its Explorer program.

The previous Google Glass sale received overwhelming response

A full-blown consumer launch of the Glass is expected later this year. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) said the previous sale, which lasted just one day, received overwhelming response, and the company ran out of stock in the process. Notably, Glass is still in beta development stage. Google is still working to improve the software and hardware. It has partnered with Ray Ban maker Luxottica Group SpA (NYSE:LUX) (BIT:LUX) to give Glass a stylish look.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) first launched Glass at its I/O conference in 2012. The company initially offered the Android-powered eyewear to 2,000. In late 2012, Google sold the device to another 8,000 people. Since then, people who got an invite for the Explorer program could purchase the Glass. The device can record videos, search the web, access email, and offer turn-by-turn driving directions by connecting to your smartphone. Reports suggest that Google is also planning to add its Wallet service to the Glass.

Google trying hard to increase the mass appeal of Glass

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) has partnered with VSP Global to make the Glass work with prescription lenses. There are millions of people who wear corrective lenses. The search engine company is trying to tap into this market to increase the mass appeal of its device. VSP is a U.S. vision benefits provider, but it also makes frames and lenses. Modeling the Glass to work with prescription lenses and offering fashionable frames are the keys to take the device to the masses.

Anyway, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Glass has raised safety and privacy concerns, prompting regulators in some states to propose bans on its use.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s class-A stock inched up 0.14% to $542.30 in pre-market trading Wednesday.

 

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