Google’s wearable Google Glass devices aren’t scheduled to go on sale to the public until next year, but the company is getting ready to expand the number of early adopters.
Folks who’ve already paid $1500 to join the Google Glass Explorer Program will soon be able to invite up to three people to join the program. Earlier this year the company had let the 10,000 or so existing users invite a friend… but if enough Glass Explorers have friends willing to pay the high price of membership, that number could grow much bigger soon.
Google is also updating the hardware — and offering existing users a chance to trade in their devices for new models.
It’s not entirely clear how the new hardware differs from the original Google Glass units, but Google says it’s designed to “work with future lines of shades and prescription frames,” which should make the wearable device a bit more versatile
The new hardware also comes with a mono earbud.
Up until recently, folks who wanted to join the Explorer Program had to pick up Google Glass in person. Once the new invites go out, customers will be able to purchase devices online and have them shipped.
It sounds like Google’s getting ready to make Google Glass into a real consumer product — although hopefully the price will come down by the time the company tries to sell Google Glass to the masses.
Are they still exploring for an app? -Because I’m not hearing anything about it.