Google Glass Aims to Become More Stylish by Partnering With Oakley and Ray-Ban

Apparently Google realizes that their Glass headsets need a bit of work in the style department, as they've enlisted the help of eyeglass frame superpower, Luxottica Group - the same company that owns Ray-Ban, Oakley, and several other well-known brands. Luxottica is expected to help Google design, produce, and distribute Google Glass headsets.

While the partnership may seem like nothing more than a gimmick on the surface, in reality it could be a serious game-changer for the popularity of Google Glass. One of the most common complaints and concerns that most people have about Glass is that they feel like a spectacle while wearing the headset in public. The new design styles should help to get rid of the social stigma and give wearers the confidence they need to proudly show off their Glass headsets in public.

If you take a look at a pair of Oakley sunglasses and then picture a small window in the top right corner it is easy to imagine what the future of Google Glass looks like. Eventually users will be to have their Glass headset framed in a plethora of design styles and lens types.

At the moment Google Glass is primarily used by software developers, beta testers and tech gurus. However, the new partnership is expected change that altogether, as people outside of the tech community are going to begin taking notice. It is no secret that Glass has been in the "early adaptation" phase for a number of months now, but this move could be the first step towards bringing Glass to the mainstream consumer market.

In addition to providing design and manufacturing support, Luxottica Group will also be helping Google sell Glass through their 5000+ retail locations. Furthermore, they'll be leveraging their massive network of kiosks and opticians to promote and distribute Glass. 

It is not yet clear how much they will cost or when they will be available, but we do know that the deal has been finalized and Google is in the process of collaborating with Luxottica to design "Glass-compatible" frames.

With Oakley being popular amongst military personnel and law enforcement there is a potential for Glass to expand into those markets as well. Also, Ray-Bans have been mentioned in a number of popular songs and are very trendy at the moment, so the younger generation and fashion gurus should take interest in the new Ray-Ban Google Glass frames.

Although style is certainly an important issue, many analysts believe that Google will have to come down on the the price (which is currently set at $1500) before the mainstream market will start buying up units at a decent rate. Even so, Google has been working hard to increase the appeal of Glass to a wider audience, beginning with the release of their Titanium collection and prescription lenses earlier this year.