Google has just signed a deal with Luxottica. You may never had heard of ’em, but they’re the eyewear manufacturer behind the likes of Oakley and Ray-Ban—and they could, maybe, possibly, make Glass cool. Perhaps.
The deal will see Luxottica bring “bring design and manufacturing expertise” to Google’s Glass project. Initially focussed on Ray-Ban and Oakley for the US market, Luxottica will, apparently, design and produce a series of exclusive frames for Glass. Luxottica claims the results will “combine high-end technology with avant-garde design offering the best in style, quality, and performance.” Whatever that means.
Perhaps most interesting, though, is that Google will piggy-back on Luxottica’s retail and wholesale distribution channels, which is an indicator that Google is keen to push Glass as a mainstream device as soon as it can. It’ll be a steady process, though. “You’re not going to see Glass on your favorite Oakleys or Ray-Bans tomorrow,” explains Google. “But today marks the start of a new chapter in Glass’s design.”
Google has, of course, attempted to make Glass more stylish by itself of recent times—but, arguably, failed. Is a Ray-Ban and Oakley tie-in it’s savior, or a car crash waiting to happen? [Google]
https://gizmodo.com/the-next-google-glass-looks-even-sillier-than-the-old-g-1454367685
