Missed Out on Getting Google Glass? Message From Google, Too Bad

The wildly successful launch of Google Glass to an exclusive selection of 8,000 participants is driving up demand for the futuristic mobile device. Unfortunately according to Google’s Chairman Eric Smidt us mere mortals will have to wait until early 2014 to get our hands on a pair of Google Glass. The Google exec said that the company will be making changes to the Explorer Edition of Glass before a final consumer release goes ahead. The company is interested in gauging user sentiment and getting valuable feedback from developers.

This announcement officially delays the full release of the product by at least 3 to 6 months from the original launch target later this year. Although Google hasn’t spoken much in regards to how they will price Glass for public distribution, industry insiders expect the mobile device to cost significantly less than the initial $1500 price tag, somewhere in the $200 to 600 range. According to ZDNet, Google assembled the Explorer Edition of Glass at a Foxconn factory in California and has only made Glass available to 8,000 competition winners in the US. It is not clear whether production will remain in the US or end up offshore in China.

As a Google Glass app developer its slightly disappointing to hear that public launch of the device has been delayed. The Android and mobile app developer communities alike are buzzing about the potential opportunities developing apps for Glass. An entirely new type of app ecosystem will likely arise from Glass’ introduction into main stream society. Excitement is in the air.