Google is reportedly in talks with at least one eyewear company to create prescription lenses for its long-awaited computer-powered glasses, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Internet search giant is exploring ideas with VSP Global, an American vision benefits provider to figure out how to, integrate Google Glass into prescription glasses and casual frames. Discussions are in early stages.
"Down the road I think this technology is going to blow up," Matt Alpert, an optometrist in Woodland Hills, Ca., who is on the board of VSP Global and is an early tester of Google Glass, told the WSJ. "As soon as apps are developed that are relevant for your world, it will start to take off."
VSP, which currently provides a vision plan for Google's employees, has a network of 30,000 eye doctors and have 60 million people enrolled in VSP's workplace and individual vision plan.
The Internet-connected eyewear, which is worn as lens-less glasses and has a miniature computer screen at the upper-right hand edge of the user's vision, lets users receive search results, read email, engage in video chats "without reaching for their smartphones," and scan maps for directions. The device also largely responds to voice commands, NBC News reported.
Although many people "who snap up new technology as soon as it becomes available" are anticipating the Google Glass, several steps need to be taken to help the device reach a broader market.
Partnering with an eyewear company would help Google tame the device's geeky image and adjust it for millions of Americans who are already wearing glasses to correct their vision.
It's theoretically possible to wear the device with regular glasses, but according to the WSJ, people who obtained early models for testing said the experience isn't that great.
