Google Abandons Plans for Developing Augmented Reality Glasses
Google has reportedly ended its project called “Iris” that aimed to create augmented reality glasses. The company had been working on the development of these glasses for a number of years, but decided to shelve the project due to recent layoffs and restructuring. The departure of Clay Bavor, Google’s former chief of augmented and virtual reality, also played a role in the decision, as he left to start a new venture with Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor. Additionally, Google’s constantly changing strategy for the Iris glasses caused frustration among team members.
When The Verge reported on augmented reality Iris glasses in early 2022, it said that Google could launch the device in 2024. The Iris AR glasses were supposed to look like regular glasses. and an early version is said to resemble a product called “Focals” made by Canadian startup North, which was acquired by Google in 2020. Google also introduced the newer version in a video that showed off the real-time AR translation feature.
Although the company has stopped developing its own AR hardware, Business Insider says it still has big goals for augmented reality. Instead of building its own hardware, Google has apparently decided to focus on creating an “Android for AR” app. The company reportedly hopes to adopt the same business model it uses for its mobile platform and license its AR software to manufacturers. Currently, Google is busy developing Android XR for Samsung’s “augmented reality” wearables and, according to Insider, a new platform called “micro XR” for glasses.
