Google: Glass and glasses come together with new prescription frames

By Trevor Mogg January 28, 2014

google_glass_frames_split — Image used with permission by copyright holder

They’ve been a long time coming, but Google’s prescription frames for Glass have finally landed, giving spec-wearing fans of the face-based tech the chance to try Glass out and see where they’re going.

Google’s ‘Titanium Collection’ comprises four styles – Bold, Curve, Thin, and Split – and sell for $225 apiece. Designs are stylish and smart, certainly nothing so outlandish it’s going to scare the children. Dark gray in color, users can choose between four subtle color options for the inside of the frames.

'Thin' — ‘Thin’ Image used with permission by copyright holder

As the frames can’t be worn without Glass, users will need to carry around a pair of regular specs for places where the device isn’t accepted, or when a large, aggressive looking person is coming toward you at speed in the mistaken belief that you’ve been videoing them when actually you were doing no such thing. It’s probably best they’re in focus while you’re trying to explain yourself.

Two new sets of shades also launched Tuesday. Called Active and Edge, each comes with a $150 price tag.

The introduction of the attachments is another step forward for Glass as Google preps its high-tech goggles for a commercial launch some time later this year.

Glass is currently being tested by thousands of so-called Explorers, a team of Google-appointed testers and developers from across the US who for the last year have been trying out its steadily growing list of features and generally putting the wearable tech through its paces.

It’s still possible to register for the Explorer the program, though don’t forget, if your name comes out of the hat, you have to hand over $1500 for the privilege of being a tester.

The arrival of the new attachments was accompanied by a 30-second promotional video showing them off on lots of different faces. Check it out below.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Google

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Mobile

Google just launched a new Pixel Tablet … kind of

The Google Pixel Tablet sitting outside with its screen on.

With the excitement of the Google Pixel 8a launch, it might have passed a little unnoticed that Google also launched a new Pixel Tablet — though not exactly. For one thing, the “new” Pixel Tablet is the exact same device as the “old” Pixel Tablet. We mean that literally: same specs, same look, same screen. The only difference with the newly launched Pixel Tablet is that it’ll be sold without its charging/speaker dock, unlike the previous model, which included it.

At $399, the new Pixel Tablet is $100 cheaper than the earlier model, but that’s to be expected — both because it doesn’t come with any hardware refresh and also because it cuts the dock. It's also worth noting that it will not be launched with any new first-party accessories like a keyboard or stylus, which were previously rumored for the tablet.

Mobile

A new Google Pixel Tablet is coming, but it’s not what you think

Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

It's been almost a year since the Google Pixel Tablet went up for preorder, leading many Android tablet fans to wonder when the inevitable Pixel Tablet 2 will arrive. A new rumor suggests that Google could release a new Pixel Tablet as early as next month, but it's probably not what you were expecting or hoping for.

According to @MysteryLupin on X (formerly Twitter), Google is planning to "relaunch" the Pixel Tablet without the charging/speaker dock included in the box. As you'll likely recall, the speaker dock is the Pixel Tablet's standout feature. You can use the Pixel Tablet on its own as a traditional Android tablet when you want, and when you're done, you throw it on the dock to transform it into a smart display. The idea of Google selling the Pixel Tablet without its claim to fame is an interesting one.

Mobile

Google just released the first Android 15 beta. Here’s what’s new

Google has just released the first public beta build of Android 15, marking an end to the developer-focused test phase. The beta version’s release also means that Android 15 is finally in a state where it can be tried by the masses without people having to worry about too many bugs leaving their phone in a sorry state.

The first beta version of Android 15 doesn’t introduce a ton of new features, as most of the notable additions have already appeared in the Developer Preview builds. Google’s blog post, however, mentions the following features as the key highlights