Emerging Tech

Cracking Open the Google Glass Explorer Edition

By , May 14, 2013, 7:54 AM

  • Google Glass Explorer Edition Teardown

    Google Glass has generated more buzz than any tech product since perhaps the iPhone or iPad. As such, I couldn't wait to crack open this wearable computer. Unfortunately, Glass' sturdy construction makes it nearly impossible to disassemble without damaging the device.

    For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Google Glass teardown reveals hits and misses on repairability.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Box

    As of this publication, Google hasn't announced an official launch date for Glass. The company is shipping ten thousand Explorer Edition units to developers, beta testers, and winners of Google's "If I Had Glass" contest. These early test units cost $1,500 (US). Google hasn't indicated what Glass' retail price will be.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Opening the box

    Google has provided relatively little information about the hardware inside Glass. According to the company, Glass has a 5-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth, 16GB storage (12GB are available to the user), Micro USB port, and a bone conduction transducer for audio.

    There are also published reports of a developer using an Android debugging utility to pull information on the CPU and RAM from the device's OS. If his information is accurate, Glass has a Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 processor and 1GB of RAM. Given additional reports, it's also likely that Glass has a gyroscope, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Box contents

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Front

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Left

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Right

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rotated inward

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rotated outward

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Interior surfaces

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Main module

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: On/Off button

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Rear module and Listen button

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Capture button

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rear-facing sensor array

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Micro USB connector

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece prism

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece reflective coating

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Torx T5 frame screw

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Removing the frame screw

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Frame separated from main module

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Frame removed

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Titanium frame and nose piece

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Assembled in California marking

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Possible production date - 03/19/13

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Main and rear modules without frame

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Connection between main and rear modules

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Frame contact

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: FCC ID markings

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Capture button contact and frame screw

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Removing the eyepiece's plastic cover

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Inside the eyepiece

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece plastic cover - exterior

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece plastic cover - interior

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: 5MP camera

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Camera is glued in place

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Back

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Top

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Rear-facing sensor array

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece bottom

  • Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Disassembled

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Google Glass Explorer Edition Teardown

Google Glass has generated more buzz than any tech product since perhaps the iPhone or iPad. As such, I couldn't wait to crack open this wearable computer. Unfortunately, Glass' sturdy construction makes it nearly impossible to disassemble without damaging the device.

For a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Google Glass teardown reveals hits and misses on repairability.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. He was most recently Managing Editor for TechRepublic Pro. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, d...

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