Google Glass has been getting kicked around for about one year now and really has only been available to those that wanted to pay the $1,500 price to get the developer edition. Consumers should have a go at the device soon with a rumored price tag that could be around the $300 mark. According to a new report, Google is going to be offering up apps for the Google Glass product next year, but it will be doing so in an app store that is separate from the current Google Play Store.
According to one online source, “the company says an app store is coming next year, when Glass is available to the general public.” Google has not provided any specifics about the new app store, but having one that is not connected to the current store could suggest that Google is thinking Glass should be in a separate category than current Android powered products. The term “Boutique” is being tossed around, and has been spotted inside the Glass firmware, for the name of the new app store by those familiar with the news, but that could change before the official launch of the store next year.
As of right now it is unclear if the new app store will be connected to the Google Play store in any way or if it will be completely space on its own. The current Play Store includes apps for smartphones and tablets, movies, television shows, magazines and music, some of which would not be useable with the Google Glass product. According to one source that talked with Google, the company is still working on the submission and approval process of the new store. If the store will become a reality, it will need a smooth process for submission and approval to keep the developers coming.
The current process does not include any way that a developer can get app into the Google Glass and Google is currently still working with developers with hopes of getting that figured out by next year. Google only has one requirement and that is the apps must be offered free of charge. The apps for the device, called “Glassware”, might lose the “free of charge” requirement once the new store gets populated by some apps, but Google has not confirmed that at this time.
