Google Glass returns
Two years after killing off Glass Explorer Edition, Google's sister company X has revealed it’s quietly resurrected the smart glasses, this time geared toward workers.
In 2015, the firm rolled out a secretive new version of Glass dubbed Enterprise Edition, and has been testing it across several industries, from manufacturing to healthcare.
Now, Alphabet's X has unveiled the upgraded headset, and revealed it's making it available for more businesses to try out.
The new headset has longer battery life and a faster processor, and the tests have shown it to be a useful addition to the workforce, with companies including GE, Boeing, and Volkswagen noting improvements in productivity, Wired reports.
In addition, the Enterprise Edition also has more reliable Wi-Fi, a red light that turns on when Glass starts taking a video, and a better camera, at eight megapixels up from five, according to Wired.
The device clips onto compatible glasses or industry frames, and is designed to be lightweight and comfortable for use over the duration of the work day.
It’s been used by more than 50 companies, including AGCO, DHL, Dignity Health, NSF International, Sutter Health, The Boeing Company, and Volkswagen.
The tests at AGCO have shown it to reduce machinery production times, and the amount of ‘back and forth’ among workers when checking instruction manuals or sending photos, project lead Jay Kothari writes in a blog post.
‘Employees are now working smarter, faster, and safer because they have the information they need right in their line of sight,’ said Peggy Gulick, Director of Business Process Improvement, AGCO.
For healthcare professionals, the technology can act as a ‘remote scribe’ to free up time during meetings with patients, allowing doctors to listen more and type less, while still gathering the necessary notes.
While the device has been kept a secret since its launch, with Alphabet selling just hundreds of units, according to Wired, today’s announcement has now opened it up to a much larger set of users, paving the way for Glass’s second chance.
‘This isn’t an experiment,’ Kothari told Wired. ‘It was an experiment three years ago. Now we are in full-on production with our customers and with our partners.’
At the end of last month, it was revealed that the companion app for Glass was given its first update in almost three years.
The £1,000 ($1,500) device was withdrawn from sale in 2015 after failing to capture consumer attention.
But now, Glass's support site says the XE23 MyGlass update, the first since late 2014, enables the latest version of the headset to be paired with Bluetooth input devices, including keyboards and mice.
The update also includes bug fixes and performance improvements.
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