During a recent address to engineering students at Stanford University, Google co-founder Sergey Brin offered a candid reflection on the failure of the original Google Glass. Brin admitted that his approach to the product’s launch was flawed, stemming from a belief that he could emulate Steve Jobs and simply will a product into success without sufficient refinement.
The Lesson: Don’t Jump the Gun
Brin explained that he “jumped the gun” by attempting to commercialize the wearable device too quickly. He noted that the product was not “fully baked” before the company engaged in high-profile publicity stunts, such as skydiving demonstrations. The 2013 device failed to gain traction due to its clunky design, a conspicuous 5-megapixel camera, and a prohibitive $1,500 price tag, leading to its discontinuation for general consumers in 2015.
His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs was clear: ensure a product is cost-effective and polished from a consumer standpoint before prioritizing marketing spectacles.
Reviving the Smart Glasses Vision
Despite the past setback, Brin remains a firm believer in the potential of the eyewear form factor. Google is now preparing to re-enter the market with a revamped strategy:
- Partnership with Warby Parker: Google plans to launch a new series of smart glasses, potentially as soon as next year.
- improved Aesthetics: Unlike the original prototype, the new glasses are designed to look like normal eyewear, removing the intrusive camera element that caused privacy and aesthetic concerns.
- Advanced Technology: The devices will run on Google’s Android XR operating system and will feature the Gemini AI assistant, allowing users to control the device via voice commands.
Brin emphasized that he has learned from his mistakes, signaling a more measured and consumer-friendly approach for Google’s next generation of wearables.
Mentoring question
Reflecting on Sergey Brin’s admission, in what areas of your current projects might you be ‘jumping the gun’ rather than ensuring the solution is ‘fully baked’ for your end-user?