I'm a Glasshole and I think the future of Google Glass is bright

I have been a 'Glasshole' since about May 2013, and the news of Google closing down the Explorer programme is music to my ears.

Google said it best: the Glass division is "graduating" to become a fully-fledged team within Google run by the father of the iPod, Tony Fadell. The reason it makes me happy is that over the last few months, Glass has become stale, not seeing a big software update since October 2014. Moving from Google X (the company's research division) to Google itself means that we will finally see big improvements in both hardware and software.

The first thing that Google needs to change is the hardware, so rumours about it testing a version much more like a pair of glasses is great news. We all know Glass was a prototype device and was not the device Google was going to launch to the public, which is why I always laughed when people would vigorously tell me, unprompted, that they would never wear them.

Of course not - if you're not a geek then this model is not for you. It is clearly in beta and I have been lucky enough to take part in that early exploration into using a computer on your face.

In the future, I can see Glass's functionality being very useful for both the enterprise and for the public. I personally have to wear glasses because I hate contacts and the idea of someone using a laser on my eye doesn't interest me at all. So, as I have to wear them anyway, why not make them connected, smart and therefore more useful?

That's why smart watches are going to succeed. They are the classic watch evolved into something better, not a whole new category of device. For people who don't wear glasses, Glass is a new, weird device they have to remember to put on, which isn't yet in their daily routine.

I am also happy because Glass now sits under Fadell, whose products include the iPod and the Nest learning thermostat - both of which I love. If there is anyone that can make this device something I would spend my hard-earned money on, it's him.

In conclusion, for me as an explorer, I am glad that Glass is still going somewhere and that we are going to see a more finished product. We have to remember that Glass is a whole new kind of product and I love the fact that someone is still willing to take risks and make something new. Now all Google needs to do is execute.

Naji El-Arifi is Innovation Manager at Somo, a mobile solutions company which developed Glass applications for its clients.