Babak Parviz, Steve Lee, Sebastian Thrun (Google X)
Google Glass (Explorer Edition)
"The future of computing on your face — until society rejected the camera on your face."
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RAISED
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EMPLOYEES
24
MONTHS
marketfitSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown
// Fatal mistake: Persistent camera created "Glasshole" stigma — wearers perceived as recording everyone
Key Events Timeline
2013-01
FOUNDING
Google Glass Explorer Edition officially launched for select developers and testers at $1,500 per unit.
2013-04
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Google began shipping Glass to the first 8,000 Explorer Program participants who had applied at Google I/O 2012.
2013-09
PIVOT
Google expanded the Explorer Program beyond developers to the general public, allowing any U.S. adult to purchase Glass at $1,500, raising public scrutiny.
2013-10
REGULATORY ACTION
Several U.S. bars, restaurants, and movie theaters began posting bans on Google Glass, citing privacy and recording concerns among patrons.
2014-03
FRAUD EXPOSURE
The term 'Glasshole' entered mainstream media and the Oxford Dictionary shortlist, reflecting widespread public backlash against Glass wearers recording others without consent.
2014-05
REGULATORY ACTION
Eight U.S. members of Congress sent a formal letter to Google CEO Larry Page demanding answers on how Glass handled user privacy and data collection.
2014-10
CEO CHANGE
Ivy Ross replaced Babak Parviz as head of the Google Glass project, signaling an internal restructuring as public adoption stalled.
2015-01
SHUTDOWN
Google officially ended the Explorer Edition consumer program on January 19, 2015, halting public sales and pivoting Glass development to enterprise use cases.
2015-06
SHUTDOWN
Slow Death: Google Glass (Explorer Edition) ceases operations, with the project moved under Tony Fadell's Nest division for an uncertain enterprise-only future.
🔥 Hall of Flame 80%🏆 Hall of Fame 85%
Google Glass launched to select developers and enthusiasts in 2013 at $1,500.
// full analysis
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Documented cause · Market cycle · Competitive moat type · Verified lesson
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