Cracking Open the Google Glass Explorer Edition
Image 1 of 42
Google Glass Explorer Edition Teardown
ntGoogle 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.
n
ntFor a detailed analysis of the teardown, check out my article and video, Google Glass teardown reveals hits and misses on repairability.
n
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption 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
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Opening the box
ntGoogle 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.
n
ntThere 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.
n
ntPhoto by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
ntCaption by: Bill Detwiler


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Box contents
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 inward


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rotated outward
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rotated outward


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Interior surfaces
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Interior surfaces


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Main module
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Main module


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: On/Off button
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: Rear module and Listen button


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Capture button
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Capture button


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece rear-facing sensor array
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: Micro USB connector


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece prism
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece prism


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece reflective coating
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: Torx T5 frame screw


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Removing the 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 separated from main module


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


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Assembled in California marking
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: Possible production date - 03/19/13


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Main and rear modules without frame
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: Connection between main and rear modules


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Frame contact
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Frame contact


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: FCC ID markings
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: Capture button contact and frame screw


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


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


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: 5MP camera
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: Camera is glued in place


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Back
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Back


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Top
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece - Top


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


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece bottom
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Eyepiece bottom


Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Disassembled
Cracking Open Google Glass Explorer Edition: Disassembled

-
-
Account Information
Contact Bill Detwiler
- |
- See all of Bill's content