By: Nick Gambino
While the concept of Google Glass seemed appealing when it was originally announced to the public some years ago, the AR glasses never really caught on. Its successor, the Google Glass Enterprise Edition, fared better due to its positioning as a tool for the hands-on worker. Now it looks like Google is planning a sequel to that particular version of Google Glass.
9to5Google got their hands on some leaked images that give us an idea of what kind of changes we can expect from the next-gen glasses. It doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing any major overhaul that will make this a completely different device. Mainly, we’ll be seeing tweaks and slight upgrades on the existing model. Think of it as the S series of iPhones.
The major “cosmetic” change to the outside (which also suggest changes to the inside) is the USB-C port. Every version of Google Glass up to this point has used a magnetic charging port for easy connection. The USB-C port will allow for faster charging, which is something that would come in handy when you’re using them in the workplace and can’t afford to lose time on long charges.
“The device apparently has a Snapdragon 710, an integrated LTE model, support for Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11 ac Wi-Fi,” 9to5Google says. “And as for its camera, it supposedly has a 32MP sensor that does 4K video captured at 30FPS or 1080p at 12 FPS. There’s also 3GB of RAM, and it apparently runs Android Oreo.”
These specs are definitely an improvement over earlier iterations with increased RAM and a more powerful processor. The USB-C port also suggests that there might be additional uses beyond just charging.
As we reported last week, Microsoft HoloLens 2 is also being positioned as a tool for workers. More specifically, those dealing with large equipment on factory floors and warehouses. Perhaps they were taking a cue from Google. While I won’t argue that these are smart moves, it begs the question of whether or not they are confident in the wide application capabilities of their tech. Both of these devices were originally being touted as a new age in digital consumption and assistance but have both been scaled back for niche markets.
There’s no word yet on when the Google Glass Enterprise Edition “2” will be ready for launch.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Gambino is a regular script writer and tech beat reporter for NewsWatch. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.
