Google Glass Enterprise Edition Has Been Discontinued: Here’s Why

Teejay Boris, Tech Times 15 March 2023, 09:03 pm

Google announced that the Google Glass Enterprise Edition, its augmented reality (AR) project, is getting discontinued once again. On top of that, the search giant disclosed that it will be ending its support for smart glasses later this year.

With that, the renowned tech firm confirmed that it has already stopped selling the Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 to developers and businesses.

(Photo : NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)
Allyson Cannon, recruitment manager of the National Press Club, tries Google Glass at the National Press Club in Washington on April 4, 2014. Google Glass is a wearable computer with an optical head-mounted display (OHMD) which displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format.

Google Glass Enterprise Edition Discontinued Again

According to a news story by The Verge, Google ceased offering its AR glasses to consumers way back in 2015.

When it was still available for everyone else Google Glass grappled with two primary concerns from its buyers. First off, some folks raised privacy issues, while others pointed out its hefty price tag. So with that, the tech behemoth decided to pull it out.

Despite that, the AR glasses remained available specifically for businesses, as well as developers. In fact, the Glass Enterprise Edition 2 saw the shimmer of the spotlight last 2019, selling for $999, notes The Verge. And since then, we have not heard from Google again

regarding its plans for its early augmented reality project.

This time, though, the search giant has spoken. Google announced on its website that "we will no longer sell Glass Enterprise Edition" starting March 15.

Google Glass Support Ends This September

Apart from discontinuing the Glass Enterprise, Google confirmed that its software support is ending this year.

(Photo : JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)
A woman wears Google glass as she visits an exhibition dedicated to the work of French artist Niki de Saint Phalle at the Grand Palais in Paris on November 6, 2014.

CNBC notes in its report that the support for AR glasses is bidding farewell this September.

The tech behemoth says it will "continue supporting Glass Enterprise Edition until September 15, 2023." After that, the firm warned its users on its support page that "the app may stop working at any time."

The end of software support does not necessarily mean that these AR devices will stop working come the middle of September. Instead, its users would no longer receive new software updates for their smart glasses.

Besides that, Google is also ceasing its repair service. So if you want to have your Glass Enterprise fixed, you might have a difficult time doing so.

Google's AR Smart Glasses

Google kicked off its Glass AR device back in 2013, selling it to developers. The device feeds its users information straight from a transparent screen of the glasses. With that, they no longer have to use their phones, freeing their hands from doing other tasks.

And as such, the tech behemoth touted its Glass Enterprise Edition 2, which debuted last 2019, for folks in the medical or agricultural field. The giant firm also pitched the device to those working in factories.

While Google retreats its AR glasses offering, Meta continues its rodeo in the AR/VR market. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly heavily investing in it as well.