Google Glass goes on sale in the US

Jane McCallion Read more May 14, 2014

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Google Glass is now generally available to consumers – providing you live in the US and have a spare $1,500.

The company said it had decided to “move to a more open beta” following the success of its limited sale in April and “starting today anyone in the US can buy the Glass Explorer Edition, as long as we have it on hand”, according to a Google+ post.

That appears to be something of an issue at the time of writing as, the Google Glass website only lets you register an interest, rather than actually buy one – suggesting stock has run out.

Google also highlighted four new frame designs – Split, Thin, Bold and Curve – twist-on polarised shades, and earbuds “designed for glass” that are available in five colours.

Google was criticised two weeks ago after it was revealed the hardware used to make the smart glasses costs about $80.

JP Gownder, wearables analyst at Forrester, told PC Pro that the Explorer Edition price point “doesn’t reflect Google’s likely go-to-market price” – indeed, Google is still referring to Glass as a beta product.

Additionally, Chris Fleck, vice president of mobility at Citrix, told PC Pro that while his company believes Google Glass will become an important tool in the workplace, it will only become attractive as a general consumer device if the price drops below $300.

PC Pro asked Google when Glass is coming to the UK, but has yet to hear back. The official launch is expected later this year.