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12/22/2024 10:58:52 pm

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Google Glass Fizzles; Few Apps from Developers

The Google Glass consumer launch might not happen any time soon with the company saying it isn't rushing to release a new product.

Google business operations head Chris O'Neill said the tech giant is committed to a consumer launch and it will take time. They won't launch the product until it's completely ready.

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Another source said the product will most likely be launched in 2015 but didn't mention a specific date. Google's co-founder, Sergey Brin, also said he hopes for a launch before 2014 ends.

Google is said to be having problems with Glass. The company has the $1,500 Glass Explorer Edition to test the market and reports say users are already tired of their Glasses while some are selling it at low prices on eBay.

Some Glass executives reportedly left the company this year and developers are now saying the market is too small to continue app support.

The company working on a Glass fitness app lost its funding offer early in 2014 when the Glass consumer version didn't materialize. Glass, which used to be a widely anticipated gadget, is losing popularity fast.

Reuters talked to 16 developers and found most of them had already given up on plans to develop apps for Glass. The reason is mostly because of the gadget's unimpressive hardware specs.

Customers haven't shown an interest in buying the device so the developers are better off working on apps that meet business instead of consumer needs.

The word "Glasshole" was also coined after some Google Glass users were prohibited from bars and watching movies due to piracy issues.

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