Google Glass: New version in the works?

Google may be testing a new version of its wearable headset, the Google Glass, after the company filed an anonymous piece of hardware with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on 1 July.

Though details of the gadget were sketchy, it was code named A4R-GG1 and was not listed as a smartphone or a tablet, but had Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, Droid Life reported.

Documents reveal that the product has a Google Glass-like rectangular display, with the FCC's e-label accessed through a submenu that requires users to "scroll left and right" - similar to the scrolling mechanism on the original Google Glass.

The anonymous gadget also comes with an in-built rechargeable battery, suggesting it is designed to be used on the move.

The filing of the GG1 device to the FCC comes after the search giant pulled the original Google Glass prototype from the market in January.

But the company insisted that it would continue to work on the product, with Google Glass chief Ivy Ross saying in January that the new version would be cheaper and have a longer battery life, improved sound quality and a better display.

Google entered into a partnership with Italian eyewear manufacturing company Luxottica in March 2014 with a view to develop a new breed of eyewear for Glass.

In May, the company posted job openings on its website for designing eyewear and "other related products". The job listings were for an audio hardware manager, a human factors designer, a systems engineer and a hardware automation engineer.

The original Glass prototype went on sale to developers and fans in the UK for £1,000 (€1,401, $1,557) in June last year, but was criticised for its limited features, poor battery life and awkward design.

The device also raised concerns from privacy groups over its ability to use facial recognition and surreptitiously record and broadcast private conversations.