Rumor: Google will use Intel chips for Glass glasses

Google will no longer use chips from Texas Instruments but from Intel for future versions of its Glass glasses, according to The Wall Street Journal. It is not known when the new version of the augmented reality glasses should appear.

The existing Google Glass glasses contain an OMAP 4430 dual-core from Texas Instruments, a soc based on the ARM architecture, but Google would like to switch to socs from Intel for future versions of the wearable. That is what The Wall Street Journal claims based on sources who say they know about the switch.

It is not known which chips are involved, but it is probably the Quark: this is the economical x86-soc that Intel is developing for internet-of-things applications. However, Intel is also experimenting with chips based on the competing ARM architecture. The smart bracelet that Intel announced in mid-November has such a chip. The chip giant got its hands on ARM technology when it acquired Infineon in 2010.

Intel has big plans to dominate the Internet-of-Things market, but manufacturers of chips based on the frugal ARM architecture offer a lot of competition. Google’s Glass glasses have been criticized lately and a consumer release seems a long way off, but there would still be plenty of interest in the business market, argues The Wall Street Journal.