Insurance That Will Cover Google Glass With Prescription Lenses

by Christopher Freeburn | January 28, 2014 9:47 am

On Monday, Google (GOOG[1]) added a new option to its high tech headgear[2], Google Glass, in response to user requests.

Google Glass[3]

People who order the Google Glass will now be able to get prescription frames with the headset, which features an LCD screen, camera and microphone. Google also said that it has teamed with VSP VisionCare, a provider of eye care insurance, to help consumers pay for the prescription frames, CNET notes.

VSP is moving to train eye care specialists to fit people for Google Glass prescription frames.

The option won’t come cheap. Basic, non-prescription frame Google Glass headsets are currently priced at $1,500. That fee allows users to participate in Google’s Explorer program, meant to test Google Glass in real world conditions prior to its official commercial launch. Adding prescription frames for Google Glass will cost early adopters another $225.

Google Glass now offers four new titanium frames. Google Glass users looking for tinted shades also now have two new options — Edge and Classic — which will up the price of their headgear by $150.

The new frames and shade options, along with existing color choices, mean that Google Glass owners can customize the colors of their headsets, frames and shades. As many as 40 different Google Glass color configurations are possible.

Privacy implications stemming from Google Glass have provoked concerns from lawmakers and consumer advocates[4], who worry that the headset’s camera could be used to surreptitiously record video and images of people without their knowledge or consent.

Google Glass is expected to move past the Explorer testing program and hit store shelves some time later this year[5].

GOOG stock rose more than 1% in Tuesday morning trading. GOOG stock has climbed more than 46% over the past twelve months as the company has expanded its technology reach[6].

Endnotes:

  1. GOOG: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=GOOG
  2. a new option to its high tech headgear: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57617792-93/google-glass-now-framed-for-prescriptions/
  3. [Image]: https://investorplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Google-Glass.jpg
  4. provoked concerns from lawmakers and consumer advocates: https://investorplace.com/2013/05/google-glass-worries-u-s-government/#.UufAaHn0CX0
  5. hit store shelves some time later this year: https://investorplace.com/2013/10/google-ramping-glass-production/#.Uue_6Xn0CX0
  6. expanded its technology reach: https://investorplace.com/2013/12/report-google-sets-sights-building-robots/#.UufCnXn0CX0

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2014/01/insurance-will-cover-google-glass-prescription-lenses/