Wearables

Google Glass now available for anyone in the US to buy

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If you want to buy Google Glass, today is your lucky day
If you want to buy Google Glass, today is your lucky day
Google seems to be trying very hard to make its cyborg gear look cool
Glass now includes a pair of frames (as well as shades) along with your $1,500 purchase
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Have you been chomping at the bit to buy Google Glass, but just couldn't snag an invite? ... anyone?? Okay, well, I'm sure someone out there has US$1,500 and a desire to look like a beta version of Robocop. If that's you, then today's your lucky day.

Google just posted an update to the Glass Google+ account, announcing that Glass is now available for anyone to buy. It's still listed as the "Explorer Edition," so this is still considered a beta product. The price also, unfortunately, hasn't dropped any. It looks like Google isn't quite ready for that official retail launch we've been waiting for.

Except for one day last month when it also went on sale to the general public, you've previously needed an invite to get in on the Glass beta program. This time, though, Google isn't pitching it as a limited time thing. The only caveat (besides having to live in the US) is an "as long as we have it on hand" disclaimer. Also keep in mind that supplies sold out in a few hours during the April one-day sale.

Glass now includes a pair of frames (as well as shades) along with your $1,500 purchase

$1,500 is a lot of money to throw down for a beta product, but at least now Google is throwing in a pair of prescription frames with your purchase. The frames, which you'll still have to take to an optometrist to fit with lenses, help to cut down a bit on the geek factor. The frames previously cost an extra $225.

Glass had a lot of buzz going for it about a year ago, when very few people had their hands on it. But, as more people joined the Explorer program, I got the impression that the product's mystique and appeal took a big hit. Privacy fears, a fairly limited feature set, and not wanting to look like the world's nerdiest techno-dweeb seem to be the biggest factors playing against Sergey Brin's pet project.

Google seems to be trying very hard to make its cyborg gear look cool

I was a Glass Explorer for a couple of months, and, though I never completely adjusted to looking like a distant cousin of Geordi La Forge, I can say that I've never used a product that's anything quite like Glass — for better or worse.

For more on Glass, you can hit up our full review of the Explorer Edition. And if you have $1,500 to blow on the world's most famous piece of cyborg gear, you can check out the source link below.

Product page: Google Glass

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2 comments
Stephen N Russell
Now add 1,700 or 1,300 for a Apple I Mac & your In. Cant wait till they lower the prices on G Glasses alone & adapt to any smartphone or your PC. IE download your vacation videos.
noteugene
I'll be impressed with Glass when it does something useful that another technology can't yet do. Such as: a hearing person being able to call his/ her deaf friend and the words are transcribed into text. Or for a non- hearing person being able to call a hearing person or 911 and the hearing party be able to communicate with the non-hearing individual......which is why phones were invented in the first place. Do this, then impress someone. Otherwise, keep your tech devices.