It is not exactly a secret that Google is hard at work on both a new consumer and enterprise version of Google Glass. Rebranded (internally at least) Project Aura, the consumer version is rumored to bear little resemblance to original Explorer model. If rumors are correct, we will have to wait at least 12 more months to see what the reimagined wearable will look like. But the new enterprise version of Glass looks like it is about ready to hit the streets. The device has popped up on the FCC’s website and looks remarkably similar to the current version of the wearable. This isn’t a huge shock though; last Fall the Wall Street Journal reported that the model designed for Glass For Work partners was a refinement of the Explorer. After listening to feedback, Google tweaked and improved numerous details to make the device more friendly for a work environment. Among the list of upcoming improvement, the WSJ article stated that the new version would be foldable. It seems like the publisher was correct, one of the most prominent new features is a foldable design. The newspaper also expected to see an adjustable screen, but that doesn’t seem to have made the cut. Instead the screen has grown in size. The paper also foresaw the device including a faster processor, which appears to be correct (but pretty much all iterative versions of consumer electronics these days follows that trend). And there seems to be removable battery packs, which was also mentioned in the WSJ article.
At this point little else is known about the new enterprise version of Google Glass. The WSJ article correctly pegged form-factor, foldability, and replaceable batteries, so some of their other predictions might also be true. These predictions included increased durability and water resistance, better wireless, and a significant price drop. While there has been no formal announcement, we would expect the devices to start trickling into the hands of Glass For Work partners very soon. If you aren’t a partner or an employee of a partner, I would not get your hopes up of getting your hands on one of these. Your best bet is to continue waiting for Tony Fadell’s reimagination…we are betting it will be worth the wait!
