Skip to main content

$100 prescription lens option coming soon for Glass, but not from Google

prescription lenses coming to google glass
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you have been holding off purchasing Google Glass because you need to wear prescription glasses, then we’ve got some good news. In early January, Rochester Optical will remove that barrier between you and the chance to part with $1,500, as it’s about to release its own prescription lens option for Glass.

A pre-order page has been put up on Rochester Optical’s website, confirming it’ll be offering, “Digital high definition prescription lenses for Google Glass,” very soon. There’s no exact date or pricing listed, but according to SlashGear, they’ll start at a very reasonable $100 and will be ready to go shortly after CES 2014 closes its doors on January 10.

In a Rochester Optical press release, Glass wearers are told to expect several different style options, such as fashion and sport looks, while a questionnaire reveals the lenses will come in regular plastic, impact resistant Trivex, plus a thin and light material. Additionally, the lenses can be tinted, polarized or mirrored, and have a UV or anti-reflective coating added.

However, it’s not clear how these lenses will be fixed to the Glass frame. In a post on the private Google Glass community forums, Rochester Optical described them as, “lens carrier/frames,” which suggests it’ll offer a variation on Google’s own clear protector lens system (which clips to the existing Glass frame), plus something a little more fashionable. Regardless of the style, Rochester Optical says they’ll be easy to fit, without the need to take Glass apart.

While Google has previously confirmed it’s working on a prescription lens option for Glass, this isn’t it, as Rochester’s product is being developed independently. Now all we need is a picture of Glass with these new lenses fitted, as the look is likely to make or break Rochester Optical’s push into the world of wearable technology.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Huawei’s gorgeous Pura 70 phones just got expanded availability
Huawei Pura 70 pink, green, white, and black colors.

Huawei Pura 70 Huawei

After being announced for China in mid-April, the Huawei Pura 70 series is now confirmed for the EU market. Those in the European market can expect to preorder the Pura 70, Pura 70 Pro, and the top-tier Pura 70 Ultra starting May 2 for 999 euros, 1,199 euros, and 1,499 euros, respectively. This pricing is in line with what we saw in China, with the Ultra coming in at 9,999 yuan ($1,400) and the base Pura 70 at 5,499 yuan ($760).

Read more
The Honor Magic 6 RSR is my new favorite Android phone of 2024
Someone holding the Honor Magic 6 RSR outside.

There's no doubt that 2024 has already been an exciting year for Android phones. Samsung wowed us with the Galaxy S24 series at the beginning of the year, the OnePlus 12 and 12R are two of the best phones available right now, and Google is expected to impress later this month with the Google Pixel 8a.

But for the last few weeks, I haven't been thinking about any of those phones. Why? Because I've been using the Honor Magic 6 RSR. After launching in China this past March, the Magic 6 RSR is now available in the EU, and that's allowed more folks than ever to get their hands on the phone. And that's great, because the Honor Magic 6 RSR has quickly become my new favorite Android phone of 2024.
It has some of 2024's best smartphone hardware

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
A Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus laying on concrete.

Looking to upgrade your phone this year? You may be considering Samsung’s new Galaxy S24 Plus, which is the middle child of the S24 lineup. Given how solid the S24 Plus is, that's not a bad idea at all.

But is the Galaxy S24 Plus the best phone you can get? Maybe not, as there are plenty of other great choices that you can choose from as well. Here are some of the best alternatives to the Galaxy S24 Plus that you should take a look at before spending your hard-earned dollars.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Read more