Tech firms hit as Google pulls Glass

The decision to scrap sales of Google Glass – for now, at least – has sent shockwaves through the tech industry and will lead to the mothballing of a raft of development plans.
The move comes just days after Tesco launched its own Google Glass app, known as Tesco Grocery, which allows shoppers to browse goods, view nutritional information and automatically add products to their online basket.
CRM giant Salesforce also revealed plans to exploit the technology by serving up data-fuelled content and experiences for users, while earlier this week US start-up Augmedix announced that it had raised $16m in venture capital to further its development of a electronic medical record solution based on Google Glass.
The company insists it is still committed to launching the smart glasses as a consumer product, but will stop producing Glass in its present form to focus on “future versions of Glass”.
The programme, which was launched in the US in 2013 and in the UK last summer, has not been without its critics, however, and was been banned from most US bars and restuarants.
The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association, which represents 90% of cinemas in the UK, also banned customers from wearing the device and users were told not to wear the glasses when driving,
Meanwhile the Information Commissioner’s Office warned brand owners to adhere to strict data protection laws covering wearable technology or risk fines of up to £500,000. In addition, 36 other data protection authorities wrote to Google boss Larry Page demanding answers over their privacy fears.