You’d be forgiven for thinking that Google Glass had been well and truly shuttered.
However, it seems Google’s wearable specs will live on under a brand-new name.
That’s according to a report by Business Insider, which claims that Google has a new secret wearable project in the works.
“Google is working on a new wearable technology effort known as Project Aura, and is hiring consumer electronics experts from Amazon’s secretive Lab126 to jump-start the new group,” reads the report.
According to the article, Project Aura’s seeds were originally sown back in June.
The project is purportedly focused on breathing life back into the ailing Google Glass ecosystem, as well as developing other in-house wearable technologies.
The report claims
Instead, it’s tipped to remain part of Google, under “high-level oversight” of Nest CEO Tony Fadell.
The report also suggests Google has hired “at least” three employees from Amazon’s enigmatic Lab126 hardware division to work on Project Aura.
Aura also supposedly has a “dedicated recruiter” that’s eyeing new talent for the project.
It’s alleged that several LinkedIn profiles and job listings related to the project describe Aura as “Google Glass and beyond”.
“The new Aura group provides a much-needed re-branding to the tattered Glass image, as well as opening the door to a broader scope of wearable technology initiatives to help Google compete against rivals such as Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft,” reads the report.
However, the source for this information – cited as anonymous – claims “it’s still too soon to know” whether Aura will develop virtual-reality technologies.
SEE ALSO: Oculus Rift vs HTC Vive
Virtual- and augmented-reality technology is a burgeoning industry that’s seen plenty of interest from Google’s rivals.
For instance, Microsoft has HoloLens, Sony has PlayStation VR, Facebook has Oculus VR, HTC and Valve have Vive, and Samsung has Gear VR.
As such, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Google investing cash in research and development for AR and VR tech.
Do you think Google should revive Glass and continue development in wearable technology? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
