The first version of Google’s wearable computer was taken off the market in January, and while the company has hinted that another version is in the works, details have been scant. But a design patent awarded to Google today shows what the next version could look like.
The original Google Glass had an asymmetrical look to it, with the computer hanging over the right side of the device. It was pretty unsightly, and invoked a fair amount of ridicule. While glasses based on this design patent aren’t likely going to win many design awards—they sort of look like a pair of pharmacy store reading glasses designed by Oakley—the design seems to solve the lopsidedness of the original glasses.
While there’s no guarantee that this will be the final design of the best version of Glass, it shows that Google is still experimenting with—and patenting—a range of designs. Google also received a patent today for a wearable ”display” that might allow those who need glasses to use Glass without a prescription, which might open up this design even to myopic fans of wearable tech.
Google wasn’t immediately available for comment on its plans for the next generation of Glass. Since the start of the year, however, Google has been awarded 45 design patents for different sections of “wearable display” devices.