Google is reportedly overhauling its Google Glass business ahead of a second-generation launch.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal and Fortune, the search giant will remove Google Glass from Google X, which handles up-and-coming "moonshot" projects, and put it under the control of Nest Labs founder Tony Fadell.
Google will also stop selling the Google Glass Explorer Edition to consumers on Jan. 19, though businesses and developers will still be able to get it, the Journal said.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fortune said the move does not signal the demise of Google Glass; the search giant framed it as a step forward since it is moving beyond the confines of Google X.
But the Journal said Google will also be moving into a self-imposed quiet period of sorts, taking a more Apple-like approach and improving Google Glass in private.
Fadell is, in fact, a former Apple executive. He left Cupertino in 2010 after almost a decade at the firm, where he played a key role in the development of the iPod and iPhone. He later co-founded Nest Labs, which produces smart thermostats and smoke detectors. It was acquired by Google about a year ago for $3.2 billion.
The Glass team is now run by Ivy Ross, who will report to Fadell, the Journal said.
Glass, meanwhile, debuted in April 2012 as "Project Glass." Later that year, Google started accepting pre-orders for a very early "Explorer Edition" of the $1,500 high-tech specs. For awhile, they were very hard to get, and had to be picked up in person. It was not until last year that Google opened up public sales of the glasses.
They still need some work, though. Besides the fact that they are not exactly super fashionable (deals notwithstanding), there are some technical limitations and privacy concerns.
For more, see PCMag's full review of Google Glass Explorer Edition Version 2.0 and the slideshow above.