The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Google Tesco Wearable Tech

Google scraps Glass sales as public turn against the device

Author

By John Glenday, Reporter

January 16, 2015 | 2 min read

Google has abruptly pulled its hi-tech Glass eyewear from sale next week after deciding against launching the gadget in its current form – whilst committing itself to the product in the long-term.

Consumers had been able to snap up a pair of internet-connected specs for £990 since the summer in the UK through the firm’s Explorer programme but this initiative will now be halted as the firm seeks to improve the device.

Google had been expected to announce a full consumer launch shortly but uptake has prompted it to bring a new team on board to develop improved iterations of the spectacles.

Instead the Google Glass team will depart the research division and form part of the home automation business Nest, which was acquired by Google a year ago.

Nest chief Tony Faddell said Glass had ‘broken ground and allowed us to learn what's important to consumers and enterprises alike" and said the team would now ‘to integrate those learnings into future products.’

Despite showing some promise early adopters of the technology had lately become disillusioned with the lack of progress made by Google in refining the product, together with a wider public backlash from privacy campaigners which saw the device banned by some bars and restaurants.

Earlier this week, Tesco Labs launched a Google Glass app called Tesco Grocery ahead of the sale date.

Google Tesco Wearable Tech

More from Google

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +