Prescription frames for the Google Glass are expected to have a starting price tag of $99.
Google Glass, a wearable computer, lets users communicate with the Internet via natural language voice commands. The gadget is developed by Google and the company released the Explorer Edition to developers in February 2013 for $1,500. The consumer version of the Google Glass is expected to arrive sometime in 2014.
In November 2013, Rochester Optical officially confirmed its plans to offer prescription frames for Google Glass in 2014.
The 80-year old company now says it will offer prescription frames for the Google Glass in an array of styles to suit personal taste and they will be priced from $99. The company is expected to take pre-orders for the prescription frames after the 2014 International CES, which ends on January 10.
"As a state-of-the-art optical laboratory, one of the first wearable technology items Rochester Optical will be producing are custom prescription, fashion, and sport frames for Google Glass, available for purchase in early 2014," per a Rochester Optical statement.
Google previously said that it is working to develop prescription frames for Google Glass. When CNET reached out to Google to get information on the prescription frames, a Google spokesman said that it has not entered into a partnership with Rochester Optical, which indicates that Rochester Optical will not be the only company offering prescription frames for the Google Glass.
Rochester Optical also sent out a questionnaire recently in an attempt to assess what users may be looking for in custom frames. The questionnaire asked users about materials, tinting and other options usually available with normal frames at an optometrist. Rochester Optical also gave customers the option to select the shape of the frames.
"We will be adding new frame shapes to our collection of prescription frames for Google Glass, and we welcome your suggestions! Are you a Cat Eye frame shape kind of person? Or perhaps you're more into geek-chic style frame shapes? We'd love to see your ideas!" the Rochester Optical questionnaire stated.
Rochester Optical has also launched a sign-up page where interested customers can receive invitations when prescription frames for Google Glass are available.
Google Glass prescription frames were also spotted online when Google employee Brian Matiash posted some photos on his Google+ account, which showed off a standard set of frames. The photos were subsequently pulled but not before the media got wind of them.
