Google Project Glass Steps Into The FCC For Approval
How do you know we're living in the future? If Wi-Fi in the skies and second-screen experiences aren't enough for you, how about this? While Google has thought up some pretty outlandish things in its history, there's a big difference between cooking something up on a drawing board, and submitting something to the FCC for clearance. Google Glass has been seen as a pretty far-fetched initiative, essentially strapping a 24/7 camera to your face and allowing those who wear it to interact with their social contacts via the Internet. It could very well usher in the era of wearable computing in the mainstream, but it could also serve to freak out those who are already concerned with being watching too frequently.
This week, the Google Glass Explorer Edition landed in the FCC's database. This model is the $1500 one that Google expects to ship this year to developers who pre-ordered one during Google I/O 2012 last year in San Francisco. Before being allowed to sell them in the United States, however, FCC certification is needed in order to assure consumers that the wireless transmissions are safe and approved for use here. Now that Google has submitted it, it's a pretty safe bet that sales could start as early as next month. The company has already announced two sessions for buyers to join up and explore how to use them, and given that this is such a new type of product, we suspect many will take Google up on the offer.
It's unclear when a more conventional pair of these will go on sale, but it's impressive nonetheless to see the Explorer model staying on track for a 2013 release. Who knows -- by this time next year, you may seen teens sporting them at a local mall after Santa delivers one for the holidays. If that's not living in the future, what is?
This week, the Google Glass Explorer Edition landed in the FCC's database. This model is the $1500 one that Google expects to ship this year to developers who pre-ordered one during Google I/O 2012 last year in San Francisco. Before being allowed to sell them in the United States, however, FCC certification is needed in order to assure consumers that the wireless transmissions are safe and approved for use here. Now that Google has submitted it, it's a pretty safe bet that sales could start as early as next month. The company has already announced two sessions for buyers to join up and explore how to use them, and given that this is such a new type of product, we suspect many will take Google up on the offer.
It's unclear when a more conventional pair of these will go on sale, but it's impressive nonetheless to see the Explorer model staying on track for a 2013 release. Who knows -- by this time next year, you may seen teens sporting them at a local mall after Santa delivers one for the holidays. If that's not living in the future, what is?
