Google Buys Stake in Glass Hardware Maker

Ingrid Lunden, AOL/TechCrunch:

Google’s stake is a sign that Glass production is ramping up: the company says that the investment is being made to “fund production upgrades, expand capacity and further enhance production capabilities.”

Andy Rubin, back in 2009:

“We’re not making hardware. We’re enabling other people to build hardware.”

Remember that idea that Google has been getting better at what Apple does best (native app user experience) faster than Apple is getting better at what Google does best (online services)? There’s some truth to that when you only consider software; but when it comes to hardware, no way. I’ve seen Glass, and whatever you think of the concept, build-quality-wise, it’s not even in the same ballpark as an Apple product, especially considering the price. Google has a long road ahead if hardware is central to their future plans.

★ Monday, 22 July 2013