The next version of Google Glass will reportedly feature a new display and faster processor

Despite rumours that Google was contemplating the abandonment of its Glass project, it now looks like the the company definitely has a successor in the works.

According to 9to5Google’s Stephen Hall, the next iteration of Google Glass, referred to as the “Enterprise Edition” inside of the company, will feature several improvements over its predecessor, including an Intel Atom processor that improves performance and battery life, and a larger, more generous display.

In terms of the processor, Hall wasn’t able to find out the exact model that’s inside of the device, but did ascertain that it is clocked higher than what’s inside most current top-of-the-line Android Wear smartwatches. As mentioned already, there are several improvements to the entire Glass experience as a result of this new chip: the main one being that performance is significantly improved.

There’s also improvement in battery life, though according to Hall it’s only a modest step up, and heavy use of the device will still require frequent trips to the power outlet. He goes on to say that Google is working on an external battery pack that is meant to address the battery life issue.

As for the new prism display, it’s apparently larger and extends further, meaning that most users won’t have to look up and to the right to glance at it. This, says Hall, is deliberate design choice that is supposed to help reduce the eye strain most users reported from using the Explorer Edition. According to Hall’s sources, the display is “better” in other ways, though they didn’t mentioned anything specific like a higher resolution.

Lastly, the Enterprise Edition is said to feature a WiFi module that supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

A previous report from The Wall Street Journal stated that Google was collaborating with Italian eyewear maker Luxottica on the design of the device. Hall’s report doesn’t mention Luxottica, nor, for that matter, the design of the device. However, what he does do is corroborate statements made by Ivy Ross, the head of Google Glass. Ross has been quoted as saying that the next iteration of Glass will feature improved battery life, better sound quality and a superior display, as well as a reduced price. Based on Hall’s report, it seems Google has definitely made strides in two of those departments.

One other important tidbit that was in the WSJ report was that Google had plans to address the whole “Glasshole” factor. Based on this report it’s not clear that the company has actually done anything to that effect.

[source]9to5Google[/source]