The next version of Google Glass may look good enough to buy

The next version of Google Glass, expected to be unveiled next year running an Intel chip, could look slim and sleek enough to be resist drawing too much attention, a problem with the current model.

Schematics for the updated version were uploaded to the US Patent and Trademark Office this week, indicating that Google has no plans to give up on the product, which has been made available in limited quantities to customers in the U.S. and U.K since mid-2013. With a price north of $1,500, Glass has been a spokesproduct for augmented reality and heads-up displays, but the second-gen version may be significantly less expensive, opening it up to a broader audience beyond developers and early adopters.

The new design is not only slimmer, but looks to add a textured area to the touch-sensitive side panel, where non-voice interactions are performed. It doesn’t appear that the frame is more malleable, though, making it just as cumbersome to travel with as before.

No word on when Google will unveil Google Glass 2.0, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see it shown off at Google I/O in May or June.

[source]USPTO[/source][via]Quartz[/via]