Google Glass is trying to shed its nerdy image by teaming up with the company behind Ray-Bans and Oakley sunglasses.
Google (GOOG, Fortune 500) announced late Monday that it is joining forces with eyewear giant Luxottica (LUX) to design, develop and distribute a new generation of Glass.
Glass, Google's experimental gadget that places a notification screen above your eye, initially launched in 2013 as an exciting futuristic product. Since then, it has become an overhyped niche gadget with a public relations problem. By appearing more stylish, Google is hoping Glass may gain broader market appeal before it releases the product to the broader public toward the end of 2014.
Luxottica and Google will establish a team of experts devoted to working on new Glass products "that straddle the line between high-fashion, lifestyle and innovative technology," the eyewear company says.
The frames firm -- the largest eyewear company in the world -- manufactures glasses for Oakley, Persol, Prada, Ray-Ban and Versace. It also owns retailers including LensCrafters, Sunglasses Hut and Pearle Vision, giving Google the ability to showcase its new designs in brick-and-mortar stores.
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