Google has made an investment in the company that constructs parts for its Google Glass device. The buying of a 6.3-percent stake in head-mounted display technology manufacturer Himax will help the producer in improving its ‘liquid crystal on silicon chip’ production, as well as allowing Google to secure the company as a component supplier for future devices, once the investment closes later this quarter.
The stake purchase could be extended past 6.3 percent, with Reuters reporting that it can be increased to 14.8 percent within a year. While the actual value of the investment has not been revealed by either company, the purchase puts Google as a core shareholder in Himax, alongside Intel Capital, Khosla Ventures, and KPCB Holdings.
Google Glass has so far had a limited release, with Google allowing only a few thousand people access to the Explorer Edition, meant for developers. The $1,500 headwear, which has been recently updated with more voice commands and a built-in web browser, has been spotted working with prescription lenses and standard glasses frames, though it has yet to see a formal release.
