Google just bought a smart glasses firm but reasons for purchase are unclear

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

In a semi-surprising transfer, Google buys North, a younger firm that made AR wearables within the type of sensible glasses.
North’s Focals are actually useless with the corporate winding down Focals 1.Zero and canceling Focals 2.0.
While it’s straightforward to imagine Google is engaged on a brand new model of Google Glass for customers, it may not be that easy

In some main acquisition information at the moment, Google buys North, the corporate that made some waves with its very Google Glass-like sensible glasses generally known as Focals. Our personal David Imel bought an opportunity to make use of the AR glasses you see above — learn all in regards to the expertise right here.

Both Google and North posted separate weblog entries asserting the information, with every expressing pleasure in regards to the future. However, neither firm is being very clear on what this acquisition means for North’s future of creating sensible glasses or Google’s way forward for utilizing North’s patents and workers for no matter it has in thoughts.

Google buys North…however why?

North ended its announcement publish with an announcement that will probably be “winding down” Focals 1.0, the sensible glasses talked about earlier. In addition, Focals 2.Zero have been completely canceled, with refunds going out to anybody who pre-purchased a pair.

Related: Focals by North evaluate: Google Glass has a worthy successor

In different phrases: Google buys North after which North cancels its present and upcoming merchandise. One would assume that may imply Google plans to make use of North’s merchandise, patents, and workers to make one thing much like Focals. However, it may additionally imply that Google has one thing else in thoughts.

Keep in thoughts that there have been loads of rumors that Apple is gearing as much as launch a set of its personal AR glasses, tentatively known as Apple Glass. It’s very attainable Google desires to mix what it realized from the ill-fated launch of Google Glass with the success (and errors) North has had with Focals to make a competing product.

Whatever the case, the acquisition is probably going terrific information for North, as rumors counsel the corporate wasn’t promoting too many pairs of Focals.