Sources confirmed to CNET on Friday Feb. 22 that Google's augmented reality glasses product, Google Glass, will arrive by the end of 2013 and will be priced at less than $1,500. Google also confirmed that Glass will support connectivity through Bluetooth to Android phones and the iPhone. It won't have its own cellular radio but will pull data from Wi-Fi or use a 3G or 4G feed from a connected phone.
Google originally set 2014 as the release date for the product, but recent developments, including developer hackathons and the Google Glass contest, have indicated the production process is speeding up.
These developments regarding Google Glass come in the wake of rumors that the company plans to open retail stores: ostensibly part of a strategy to boost consumers' familiarity with products such as Glass. On Wednesday Feb. 20 Google initiated a contest giving interested consumers the chance to obtain a $1,500 prototype of the product. It also launched a website displaying how the glasses work. The product will allow wearers to search the Web, get directions, take photos and video, get translations and see Google Now notifications.
Google has also been talking with manufacturer Warby Parker to help create a better-looking version of the glasses. A finished version of the product has not been revealed. On Wednesday Feb. 20 Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg commented that he "can't wait" to try out the glasses, and also indicated that Facebook engineers are awaiting the product so that they can begin developing applications for it.
Joshua Topolsky of The Verge tried on the glasses at Google's New York headquarters and said his experience was quite similar to that depicted in the promotional video. He did, however, note that the voice-control feature needs work and that the product is hindered by slow data connections.
