What Google Glass got right — and really, really wrong

Google did not invent the concept of smart glasses, but it contributed to their democratization. Looking back, 13 years after their launch, this is both a good and bad thing. Glass has made many people dream of new ways to use computers without staring at screens all day. Glass also made many people realize how unpleasant it could be to have a world full of face computers. Which is more predictive: glass or glass holes? And can you even have one without the other?

For this episode of Version history, we go back in time and tell the story of Google Glass. David Pierce, Victoria Song, and tech journalist David Imel trace the product’s beginnings in a lunar lab in Mountain View, through their incredible cultural impact, the absolutely immediate reaction, and ultimately their surprisingly rapid demise. Well, not exactly death. The glass hasn’t disappeared like you might think…and it’s already sort of back.

This is the first episode of season two of Version history. You may notice that we’ve made a few changes, most based on your feedback. We have a new set of version history questions, clearer Hall of Fame criteria, and we’re featuring your stories and questions wherever we can. Thanks to everyone who’s already watched, listened, and sent feedback – let us know what you think of the changes!

If you would like to subscribe Version history, There are two ways to get each episode as soon as it is released:

And if you want to look back at some of the most important moments in Glass history, here are some links to get you started: