Google Glass Partners With Makers Of Ray-Ban So All The Cool Kids Will Stop Making Fun Of You
Just because you’re lucky enough to be a nerd doesn’t mean you have to look like a futuristic cyborgnerd. Unless you want to, which is cool, too.
Because not everyone is down with the Geordi LaForge look currently sported by wearers of Google Glass, the company has announced its teaming up with Luxottica — the Italian eyewear company that owns Ray-Ban and Oakley, as well as a slew of licensing deals to manufacture specs for a whole lot of designer brands.
Because you’re probably already wearing glasses made by Luxottica right now anyway — whether they’re the flashy brands preferred by whichever “real” housewife is trying to create the biggest disparity between face size and sunglasses size or a cheap generic brand, Google decided the company would be a good fit to design it some cooler specs.
Just a taste of the brands Luxottica makes eyewear for: Prada, Burberry, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Tiffany, Versace, Vogue, Persol, Miu Miu, Tory Burch, Donna Karan and Chris Morran’s favorite, Dolce & Gabbana.
In an announcement on the Glass blog (which breathlessly recounts the history of eyeglasses and calls them a “global phenomenon”), the company says it wants to keep its robot glasses functional while also discouraging any “Hey, cyborg four eyes!” remarks.
“Luxottica understands how to build, distribute and sell great products that their clients and consumers love – something we care deeply about at Glass, too,” reads the post. “They’ll bring design and manufacturing expertise to the mix, and, together, we’ll bring even more Glass style choices to our Explorers.”
Beyond the fashion-y aspect of the whole deal, Google points to Luxottica’s attractive “retail and wholesale distribution channels” which will help when Glass is more widely available. Because in addition to the thousands of brands Luxottica makes glasses for it, it also owns Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut. Convenient.
Let’s just hope that the customer service side of things is handled by someone else, because we know too well from past experience how Luxottica operates in that arena. Poorly. It performs poorly.
Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.
