Google has quietly started selling its Glass headwear to anyone who wants it, assuming they’re willing to shell out $1,500 for the privilege.
The company said today that it saw an “overwhelming” response when it allowed anyone to buy the device during a one-day sale, and had re-stocked supplies of Glass to allow anyone to purchase it.
However, Google isn’t calling the move a public launch of the hardware, and is still putting the open sales under the umbrella of its Explorer Program, which was originally introduced as an exclusive, invite-only setup.
The news comes six weeks ahead of the company’s I/O conference in San Francisco, which is where Google first unveiled Glass in 2012. The sale of Glass units only lasts until Google runs out of supplies, so it’s possible that this could be a sign that the company is preparing to launch a revamped version of its hardware.
New hardware or not, Glass wearers are going to have a hard time wearing Google’s face computer in the outside world. More places are banning patrons from wearing the device, including a pair of Seattle restaurants run by Dave Minert. Users are also a target for violence: Business Insider reporter Kyle Russell had his unit snatched off his face and subsequently smashed while walking in San Francisco’s Mission district.
Meanwhile, Google has put out some materials trying to educate Glass users about proper etiquette with using the device, and has tried to tell the public about what it can and can’t do, though it’s unclear how well that has worked.
