Google Glass v2

We can speculate all we want about how much damage technology is doing to our human nature and cognitive skill, but companies are going to keep innovating whether we like it or not. One such innovation, Google Glass, has been the subject of a ton of scrutiny ever since it was announced. It's a mini computer and camera on your face. It seems unnatural. It's distracting. It's crazy.  It's also innovative. It's risky. It's futuristic.

Glass has also been an "invite-only" project for almost a year now, and I've been using it for the better part of 6 months as part of the Explorer Program. The Explorer Program is invite-only, and once you're invited it costs $1500 and a private visit at a Google Office to pick up the specs. It's quite an experience, but it's not for everyone.

Now we know that Google is working on Glass Version 2, this time for the public. If it's going to be a product they want to fly off shelves, there are some improvements that need to be made based off of feedback from members of the Explorer program.

So here's what I want to see in Google Glass v2

Internals
Internally, Glass has about the same amount of computing power as a 2 year-old smartphone packed into the frame on the side. Overall speed and fluidity when flipping through the UI is pretty solid, but graphics performance could use some work. I'm crossing my fingers for an improved spec sheet with the next generation of Glass.

Externals/Design
I know almost nothing about design, but I do know that people want Google Glass to be as unobtrusive as possible. Right now Glass is pretty small; the biggest part of the chassis is actually the battery in the back. Unfortunately the battery life is pretty weak already, so it wouldn't make much sense to shrink this part. You can kill the entirely battery of Glass with an hour of video recording.

There's also the issue for people who already wear glasses. It's unlikely Google will want to take orders of Glass to fill prescriptions, so it would be smarter to work with partners (similar to the way they do with the Nexus program)

Software
This is something Google is definitely already working on - there have been nearly a dozen major software updates since Glass was first releases. Every software update adds new features and improvements to the user experience. This is critical to keeping Glass both usable and relevant.

The one thing that hasn't been added is an "App store." There's a small, private community for members of the Glass Explorer program where there is some application development going on, but the total number of applications available is relatively small. Just like any new form factor, the functionality of wearable tech like Glass will depend on the developer support it gets. There needs to be shining spotlight on the application support for Glass or it'll never catch on.

Price
This is absolutely the most important part of Google Glass v2. The current version of Glass is $1500. That won't work at all. This is the first iteration of Glass that's supposed to be designed for consumers, so it needs to be priced for consumers to buy off the shelf. And that's the exact vision for Glass. This is something Sergey Brin himself has said that he wants Google Glass to be an on-the-shelf retail product by the end of 2013.

The video I made about Glass has a few thousand comments suggesting the maximum price they would pay for Glass with its current functionality, with suggestions ranging from $200 USD to near $1000. I think a sweet spot for this to catch people's eye on retail shelves us $399. I wish I had an idea of how realistic this is, but I have no way of making an accurate prediction. I can only cross my fingers. What would you pay for Glass? Would you pay for it at all?