When Google announced the shutdown of its Glass Explorer Program on January 19th, it promised that we would see “future versions of Glass,” now part of a new business unit headed up by Tony Fadell who also heads Nest Labs, when they would be ready. It’s been fairly quiet since though, leading to speculation that Google Glass was well and truly dead. If Italian eyewear maker Luxottica CEO Massimo Vian, a new Google Glass version is not only alive and well but coming soon as well.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Vian told shareholders today at a company general meeting, “In Google, there are some second thoughts on how to interpret version 3 [of the eyewear]. What you saw was version 1. We’re now working on version 2, which is in preparation.” If correct, not only is Google readying a second generation of the device but is already also thinking about a third. With version 2 not yet complete, it’s not surprising that the company is still deciding on how to move forward with version 3.
For its part, Google would only say that “the team is heads down building the future of the product.”
Vian provided no specific details about this new Google Glass version but indicated a launch was coming soon. Could Google make an announcement at the upcoming Google I/O 2015 in late May?
Vian also confirmed that Luxottica is partnering with Intel for another product that could be out early next year.
Source : The Wall Street Journal